Elder Scrolls Online in Southeast Asia: Why community matters more than ever

Note: This feature was first published on 26 August 2025.

The Elder Scrolls Online has long outgrown the “will this MMO survive?” question. More than a decade since launch, it’s still charting new territory with regular story arcs, mechanical tweaks, and community-driven updates. What’s more interesting now is how ZeniMax Online Studios is making sure ESO doesn’t just speak to its traditional audiences in North America and Europe, but also to a growing base of players in Southeast Asia.

If you’ve been following Bethesda’s regional push, you’ll have noticed the way community has become the throughline: guilds rallying across time zones, local creators helping shape conversations, and events tailored to highlight player agency. At the centre of this is Rich Lambert, Studio Game Director at ZeniMax Online Studios, who has overseen ESO’s evolution into a global MMO that still feels personal.

I had the chance to sit down with Rich to talk about the game’s latest season, how feedback from Southeast Asian players feeds into development, and what community really means when you’re trying to hold together millions of adventurers in Tamriel.

HWZ: ESO continues to be actively supported more than a decade on. What can fans expect from this year’s updates and the new season? Are there any standout features or themes that long-time players should look forward to?

Rich: The big highlight for us this year is Seasons of the Worm Cult, a two-part adventure that takes players to the brand-new island of Solstice. We’ve seen an amazing reception to the launch of Part 1 in June, and there’s more to come later this year with our first ever server-wide event, the Writhing Wall, which will lead us into the epic finale of the Worm Cult saga with Part 2 towards the end of the year.

HWZ: For newer players just getting into ESO in Southeast Asia, what’s your approach to easing them into the game’s vast world and lore without overwhelming them?

Rich: While the game has been growing constantly for over 10 years, we have a clear path set up for new players that gets them ready to go and eases them in. Following their character and class set-up, new players then play through an introductory questline that teaches them the gameplay and combat mechanics, as well as armor types, skill lines and abilities.

For returning players, we also have the new Hero’s Return system, which helps you ease back in if you’ve been away for a while.

HWZ: With so much content released over the years, how do you strike the right balance between keeping long-time players engaged while still making ESO welcoming for newcomers?

Rich: We place great importance on ensuring that not only are we introducing new players to the world, but also once that tutorial is done, we allow them to explore the world and craft their own journey at their own pace. For long-time players, our focus is centered around listening to their feedback and adding new content and systems that improve their ESO experience.

HWZ: The Elder Scrolls community has always played a big role in shaping the game. Could you share how player feedback from Southeast Asia has helped influence content, features or priorities?

Rich: The Elder Scrolls Online community is truly global, and player feedback from every region, including Southeast Asia, is invaluable to us. For instance, the desire for more flexibility across our different classes, a sentiment we hear globally, directly contributed to the development of the Subclassing system released this year. Similarly, the updated in-game maps and tutorials for our Wayshrines – a fast-travel system in the game - have evolved thanks to player feedback.

HWZ: Can you walk us through some of the community-focused efforts Bethesda (or ZeniMax) has initiated or supported specifically within Southeast Asia? Have there been any standout moments or learnings from this region?

Rich: We’ve always believed that the strength of The Elder Scrolls Online lies in the community, and over the past few years, we’ve placed stronger emphasis on building deeper connections with players across Southeast Asia. What’s really stood out for us is the sense of togetherness in SEA communities. There’s an organic culture of collaboration and mentorship through experienced players stepping up to help others, and tight-knit guilds that go beyond the game itself. That spirit has been inspiring to see and has influenced how we think about community globally.

HWZ: Are there any data points or trends that speak to ESO’s success or engagement within Southeast Asia? Have you seen noticeable growth or emerging player hubs in specific countries?

Rich: We’re definitely seeing encouraging momentum from Southeast Asia, and it’s a region we’re excited to continue investing in. While we can’t share specific numbers, what we can say is that there’s been a noticeable uptick in engagement, from increased social activity and community participation to more players joining in on our major in-game events and global campaigns. We’ve also started to see more tightly knit communities forming around local creators and guilds. It’s still in the early days in some respects, but the energy and enthusiasm we’re seeing from SEA players has been amazing.

HWZ: ESO is a game built around choice and player agency. Have you noticed any regional gameplay trends from Southeast Asia – like class preferences, questing styles, or how players engage with in-game events?

Rich: ESO’s design philosophy truly emphasizes player choice and agency, and we see a wide range of playstyles and preferences across all our players globally. We love how the SEA community is really engaged in helping new players learn the ropes and generally looking out for each other.

HWZ: What’s your team’s philosophy when it comes to supporting a global player base? How do you stay connected to the needs of diverse communities, especially those outside the traditional Western strongholds?

Rich: Community is the heart of our work at ZOS. We believe that every player deserves the same high-quality game experience, and we love hearing about their passion for the game. We’re always listening to our players and their feedback through in-game data, social media, forums and through directly meeting with the community at local events.

HWZ: With the increasing visibility of SEA gamers on global platforms, does Bethesda see the region playing a larger role in ESO’s future community development or outreach?

Rich: The Elder Scrolls Online is ever-evolving, and it’s exciting to see the SEA gaming community evolving too! We’re excited to continue engaging with this community alongside all our players globally to help shape the future of ESO.

HWZ: Finally, as ESO moves into its next season, is there anything in the pipeline that you think will resonate especially well with Southeast Asian players?

Rich: Seasons of the Worm Cult kicked off earlier this year, but there’s much more on the way with the Writhing Wall event and culmination of the Worm Cult saga. We also have exciting plans for next year – we can’t share details just yet but stay tuned for more soon!

The Elders Scroll Online is available to play on PC, Xbox Series X|S, macOS and PlayStation 4 & 5.