The Elder Scrolls Online

Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Genre: Online Multiplayer
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Developer: ZeniMax Online Studios
Release Date: April 4, 2014

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'The Elder Scrolls Online' Gives An In-Depth Look At The High Isle Chapter, Tales of Tribute Card Game Detailed - Screens & Trailer

by Rainier on April 14, 2022 @ 3:08 p.m. PDT

The Elder Scrolls Online is the first Elder Scrolls game to allow gamers to explore the legendary Elder Scrolls world with others.

Explore a rich, living world with friends or embark upon a solo adventure. Enjoy complete control over how your character looks and plays, from the weapons you wield to the skills you learn – the choices you make will shape your destiny. Welcome to a world without limits.

Battle, craft, steal, siege, or explore, and combine different types of armor, weapons, and abilities to create your own style of play. The choice is yours to make in a persistent, ever-growing Elder Scrolls world.

Discover the secrets of Tamriel as you set off to regain your lost soul and save the world from Oblivion. Experience any story in any part of the world, in whichever order you choose – with others or alone.

Using ZeniMax Online’s Megaserver technology, players will join one connected world with a built in social network that lets them stay up-to-date with everything their friends are doing.

Megaserver technology avoids the hassle of shard selection and makes The Elder Scrolls Online one of the most socially enabled games ever created.  Whether playing alone, or with hundreds of friends, players can develop their own style of play as they embark upon an epic quest across Tamriel.


The Elder Scrolls Online: High Isle Chapter will launch on June 6, 2022 for PC/MAC and Stadia, while the Chapter will make its Xbox and PlayStation console debut on June 21, 2022.

In High Isle, ESO’s more than 20 million players will experience an island paradise steeped in medieval culture and architecture, complete with magnificent castles and exciting tournament grounds. The story of this year’s Chapter focuses on political intrigue, and High Isle is the perfect getaway destination for alliance delegates to take on peace talks that would put an end to the Three Banners War. While the summit is hosted by the noble Society of the Steadfast, players should beware of The Ascendant Order and their chaotic motives.

A previously unexplored region, the Systres Archipelago takes inspiration from the beautiful, windswept shores of the Mediterranean. Here lies the stunning world of High Isle, home of the Bretons, descendants of both humans and elves. The social elite live in the feudalistic society of Gonfalon Bay, the center point of all political dealings on High Isle. Above all, ruthlessness is a virtue here, so players will have to watch their backs!

Last year, ESO brought Companions to players, and in 2022, ZeniMax Online Studios is doubling down on the system. Players will have access to two all-new companions, Ember, a Khajiit who grew up on the streets and has a knack for magic, and Isobel, a Breton and aspiring knight who feels called to do right by players.

Also new in 2022 is a brand-new card game called Tales of Tribute, playable within the world of ESO. Invented in High Isle, this is a unique, resource-building game complete with PvP and PvE. Players can even increase their rank through Tales’ own leveling system. Plus, there are cool rewards to be unlocked like furnishings, transmute stones, and even advancing a storyline by competing against specific NPCs around the world.


Tales of Tribute

“The team is always exploring potential new features and quality of life improvements for ESO, and historically we’ve added a major new gameplay element with each annual Chapter release,” explains Rob Garrett, ESO’s Gameplay Lead. “For some time, we’ve had interest in exploring the idea of a tavern game. Something the inhabitants of Tamriel play for recreation and, much like Antiquities, could serve as a fun activity for adventurers looking to take a break from their usual escapades.”  

The result was the creation of an all-new card game system, fully integrated within ESO, that anybody who owns High Isle can pick up and play. 

Tactical deck-building with a twist 

Tales of Tribute is a two-player deck-building card game that can be played against NPCs and other adventurers you meet within ESO. Secure the win by collecting enough Victory Points or gaining the favor of all four Patrons at once. 

Patrons are a unique kind of mechanic in that there are four of them in play at any one time, and each Patron is associated with a specific type of card (like suits in a normal card game). And each of the Patrons, you earn their favor by doing various tasks – some require gold while others require certain actions or combos to be played. This is a big part of the strategy of the game where players have to decide if they want to focus on trying to gain the favor of just one type of Patron or focus on multiple Patrons. If players do not want to pay attention to the Patrons at all, they must still be aware that their opponents can gain favor with the Patrons to win.  

“Tales of Tribute plays as casual, yet tactical turns, alternating with your opponent,” explains Irenio Calmon-Huang, one of the Systems Designers behind the new game. “Every deck draws on a story in Tamriel that helps form the backbone of its theme and mechanics. The gameplay is all about getting the right cards to form a deck that has synergy with itself and the Patrons, so you can reach victory before your opponent.”  

During a match, you’ll acquire cards from the Tavern that’ll grant boons such as coins, power, and other special abilities, allowing you to continually improve your deck to out-play and, ultimately, out-score your opponent. The way you improve your deck will depend entirely on the choices you make in your turn and which cards are available in the shared Tavern pool.  

“There are two paths to victory in Tales of Tribute,” says Irenio. “The more common path takes earning 40 prestige before your opponent does and then staying ahead for one turn. If they overtake you, then whoever can stay above 40 and ahead on prestige after their opponent’s turn will win. The other way to win is by having the favor of the four Patrons at the same time—achieve this and you immediately claim victory!” 

Choice has always been a core pillar for ESO, and in Tales of Tribute how you play and how you win is entirely up to you. 

Casual or competitive, it’s up to you 

Make no mistake, High Isle will have no shortage of opponents to challenge you and your strategic deck-building skills. However, to get started, all you need is access to the High Isle Chapter and to complete the tutorial quest. 

“You can play against anyone with the High Isle Chapter that has finished the Tales of Tribute tutorial with at least one character on their account,” says Irenio. “You’ll be able to challenge them to a match from your friends list, guild list, or in person through a new option on the interact wheel. There are also numerous NPCs throughout the world that can be challenged … though some won’t simply be waiting for a friendly match at the local tavern.” 

Like Tamriel itself, your Tales of Tribute collection will grow as you adventure within High Isle and as new content is added to the game.  

“Additional decks are earned by participating in a variety of activities including quests, public dungeons, world bosses, and zone events,” explains Garrett. “It’s also possible to upgrade specific cards within each deck by advancing your Tribute rank, completing specific achievements, and acquiring clues that help you locate hidden Tribute stashes in the world.” 

In addition to earning new decks and upgrading your cards, you can get exclusive rewards for winning games, completing decks, raising your Tribute rank, and questing through the storyline – including crafting materials, gold, transmutation crystals, home furnishings, pets, houseguests, emotes, and more!  

Coming soon to a tavern near you 

In a first for The Elder Scrolls Online, the upcoming High Isle Chapter will allow you to discover a brand-new, in-game card game. With its astonishing variety of decks, cards, and playstyles, Tales of Tamriel promises to be a tactical-yet-approachable experience for veteran card-game enthusiasts and casual players alike. 

Players can pre-purchase the new Chapter through the ESO Store, retailer or platform store of their choice. High Isle releases June 6, 2022 for PC/MAC and Stadia, and June 21, 2022 for Xbox and PlayStation consoles.

The Elder Scrolls Online is currently available for PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC


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