If you’re looking for how to get ESO free on PC, you’ve come to the right place. Accessing *The Elder Scrolls Online* on PC without an initial purchase sometimes involves promotional events, but there are a few reliable methods to play this massive MMORPG at no upfront cost.
This guide will walk you through every legitimate way to get the game for free. We’ll cover official free-play events, giveaways, and subscription options that include the base game. You’ll learn exactly where to look and what steps to take.
How To Get Eso Free Pc
There are three primary paths to playing ESO on your PC without buying it outright. The first is through official free-play events hosted by the developers. The second is by taking advantage of promotional giveaways from platforms like Epic Games Store. The third is through a subscription service that bundles the game.
Each method has its own requirements and limitations. Understanding these will help you choose the best option for your situation. Let’s break down each method in detail.
Official Free Play Events
Zenimax Online Studios, the developer behind ESO, regularly hosts free-play events. These are periods where anyone can download and play the full base game at no cost. These events are the most straightforward way to experience the game.
These events usually coincide with major game updates, anniversaries, or holiday seasons. They are announced on the official ESO website and through their social media channels. During an event, the game client becomes freely accessible for a limited time.
How To Find And Join Free Play Events
You need to know where to look to catch these events. They are not always advertised everywhere, so proactive checking is key. Follow these steps to stay informed.
- Bookmark the official *The Elder Scrolls Online* news page. Check it weekly for announcements.
- Create an account on the ESO website even before an event starts. This saves time later.
- Follow ESO’s official Twitter (X) and Facebook accounts. Turn on notifications for major announcements.
- Subscribe to the ESO newsletter through their website. Promotional emails often contain event details.
When an event is active, you will typically see a large banner on the game’s website. The process involves downloading the official ESO launcher, installing the game, and playing. Your progress is saved, so if you later purchase the game, you continue where you left off.
Epic Games Store Giveaways
The Epic Games Store has a history of offering major titles for free for a limited time. *The Elder Scrolls Online* has been featured in the past. While not a constant offer, it is a potential avenue to get the game permanently for free.
When Epic Games offers ESO, it is usually the base game package. This is a permanent addition to your Epic Games library once you claim it. You do not need an active subscription to keep it.
Steps To Claim ESO On Epic Games Store
If ESO becomes free on Epic Games Store again, here is the process you must follow. You need to act within the promotion window, which is usually one week.
- Create a free Epic Games Store account if you don’t have one.
- Visit the Epic Games Store website or open the launcher during the promotional period.
- Navigate to the “Free Games” section. ESO will be featured there if it’s active.
- Click on the game and proceed to checkout. The price will show as $0.00.
- Complete the “purchase” to add the game to your library. You can download it anytime after that.
You will then use the Epic Games Launcher to install and run ESO. You will still need to link your Epic account to an ESO account, which is a simple process. Keep an eye on gaming news sites, as they widely report when big games go free on Epic.
Using Xbox Game Pass For PC
This method requires a subscription but offers immense value. Xbox Game Pass for PC (often called PC Game Pass) includes ESO in its library. The subscription fee covers access to the base game and its Morrowind chapter.
This is not “free” in the purest sense, but for a monthly fee, you get ESO plus hundreds of other games. If you plan to play many games, it can be a cost-effective solution. You can also often find introductory offers for as low as one dollar for the first month.
Here is what you need to do:
- Subscribe to Xbox Game Pass for PC via the Microsoft website.
- Download and install the Xbox app on your Windows PC.
- Log into the app with your Microsoft account.
- Search for *The Elder Scrolls Online* in the Game Pass library and install it.
Remember, you only have access to ESO while your Game Pass subscription is active. If you cancel, you lose access to the game. However, your character progress is saved on the ESO servers, so you can resume if you buy the game later or resubscribe.
What You Get With The Free Base Game
Understanding what’s included in the free or promotional base game is crucial. The base game of *The Elder Scrolls Online* is enormous by itself, offering hundreds of hours of content.
When you acquire ESO through any free method, you typically get the original game and all the updates from its initial release. This includes a massive amount of story content across multiple regions of Tamriel.
- The entire original faction alliance stories (over 200 hours of quests).
- Access to the Imperial City PvP zone.
- The massive “One Tamriel” update, which allows you to go anywhere and play with anyone.
- All the standard game features like dungeons, crafting, and player housing (with gold).
It’s important to note that later expansions, called Chapters (like Summerset, Elsweyr, and High Isle), are not included. These must be purchased separately or accessed via the ESO Plus subscription. The base game, however, is more than enough to determine if you enjoy the core gameplay.
Limitations Of The Free Version
While the base game is substantial, there are limitations compared to owning the latest collection or having a subscription. Being aware of these helps set the right expectations.
- No Access to DLC/Chapters: You cannot enter zones or start questlines from post-launch Chapters without buying them.
- Craft Bag Restriction: The crafting bag, an infinite storage space for materials, is only available with an ESO Plus subscription.
- Less Bank Space: Subscribers get double bank space, which is a significant quality-of-life benefit.
- No Crown Allowance: ESO Plus members receive a monthly stipend of crowns (the premium currency) to spend in the store.
These limitations are manageable, especially for new players. Many people enjoy the base game for months before considering additional purchases. The core adventure is fully intact.
Step By Step Guide To Installing The Free Game
Once you’ve secured access through a free event or giveaway, you need to install it. The process is straightforward but involves a few key steps. Here is a universal guide.
Creating Your ESO Account
Before you can play, you must create an account on the ESO website. This account is central to your game progress and is used across all platforms (PC, Mac, Stadia).
- Go to the official Elder Scrolls Online website.
- Click “Register” or “Create Account.”
- Fill in your details: email, username, and password. Use a valid email for verification.
- Accept the terms of service and complete any CAPTCHA.
- Verify your account by clicking the link sent to your email.
If you claimed the game on Epic Games Store, you will later link this ESO account to your Epic account. The website will guide you through this process when you first launch the game from Epic’s launcher.
Downloading And Installing The Game Client
The game is large, so ensure you have sufficient disk space (around 100 GB) and a stable internet connection. The download can take several hours.
- If from an official free event: Download the “ESO Launcher” from the game’s website.
- If from Epic Games Store: Use the Epic Games Launcher to begin the install.
- If from PC Game Pass: Use the Xbox app to begin the install.
- Run the installer and choose your installation directory.
- The launcher will download all necessary game files. You can pause and resume if needed.
During installation, you may be prompted to log into your ESO account. Keep your login credentials handy. After the install, the launcher will often apply a final patching process before the “Play” button becomes active.
Maximizing Your Free ESO Experience
Starting in such a vast world can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your free ESO journey without spending extra money.
Recommended Starting Activities
Focus on these activities to build a strong foundation for your character and earn gold and materials.
- Follow the Main Quest: It provides great experience, skill points, and introduces you to the world.
- Join a Guild: Many social guilds welcome new players and offer advice, help, and group activities.
- Start Crafting Early: Begin researching traits for blacksmithing, clothing, and woodworking immediately, as it takes real-world time.
- Explore Public Dungeons: These are great for experience and often have skyshard to find, which give you skill points.
Earning Gold Without Spending Real Money
Gold is essential for buying inventory upgrades, gear, and housing items. You can earn plenty through gameplay.
- Complete daily crafting writs. These are simple quests that reward gold and materials.
- Loot everything and sell unwanted gear to merchants.
- Farm raw materials like ore and wood and sell them in guild traders. Prices for these are often stable.
- Run normal dungeons using the Group Finder. You get a substantial gold reward for the first random dungeon each day.
With consistent play, you can amass enough gold to cover all your basic in-game expenses. This makes the free experience much more sustainable and enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about getting ESO for free on PC.
Is ESO Permanently Free On PC?
No, *The Elder Scrolls Online* is not a permanently free-to-play game. The base game requires a purchase. However, you can get it for free during limited-time promotions or through subscription bundles like PC Game Pass. These methods provide temporary or conditional access without an upfront payment.
Can I Play With Friends If I Get The Game For Free?
Yes, absolutely. There is no segregation between players who bought the game and those who acquired it through a promotion. If you and your friend are on the same server (North America or Europe), you can group up, quest together, and join the same guilds regardless of how you obtained the game.
What Is The Difference Between ESO Plus And The Free Game?
ESO Plus is a optional monthly subscription. It grants access to all DLC (except the latest Chapter), provides a crafting bag, doubles bank space, gives a monthly crown allowance, and offers an experience point boost. The free base game has none of these benefits but includes all the original game’s content.
Will My Progress Carry Over If I Buy The Game Later?
Yes, all your character progress, items, and gold are stored on your ESO account. If you play during a free event and later purchase the game, you continue with the same characters. This also applies if you move from a PC Game Pass subscription to a standalone purchase.
Are There Any Risks With Third-Party Giveaways?
You should only use official sources like the ESO website, Epic Games Store, or Microsoft’s PC Game Pass. Third-party websites offering “free ESO keys” are often scams that can lead to account theft or malware. Stick to the legitimate methods outlined in this guide to ensure your account’s security.
Getting *The Elder Scrolls Online* for free on PC is very possible with patience and timing. By monitoring official free-play events, watching for Epic Games Store promotions, or considering a value-packed subscription, you can begin your adventure in Tamriel without an initial investment. The key is to use the legitimate channels and enjoy the vast amount of content the base game provides.