The Elder Scrolls Online revealed, expected 2013 release

In surprising fashion, Game Informer has revealed The Elder Scrolls Online, Bethesda's long rumored and much anticipated MMO.  Today's unexpected announcement came in the form of June's Game Informer June cover unveiling.

The Elder Scrolls Online is being developed by the team at Zenimax Online Studios and is said to "merge the unmatched exploration of rich worlds that the franchise is known for with the scale and social aspects of a massively multiplayer online role-playing game."

In The Elder Scrolls Online, players will discover an "entirely new chapter" of Elder Scrolls history.  It will be set a millennium before the events of Skyrim "as the daedric prince Molag Bal tries to pull all of Tamriel into his demonic dream".

According to game director and MMO veteran Matt Firor, The Elder Scrolls Online has been in development for "several years".

"The entire team is committed to creating the best MMO ever made – and one that is worthy of The Elder Scrolls franchise," he said to Game Informer.  The magazine's July cover story will offer an in-depth look at everything from solo questing to public dungeons in The Elder Scrolls Online.

Aside from questing, The Elder Scrolls Online will feature player-driven PvP conflict that pits the three player factions against each other in open-world warfare over the province of Cyrodiil and the Emperor's throne itself.

A brief teaser trailer for The Elder Scrolls Online will be posted tomorrow so be sure to check back.

The Elder Scrolls Online is scheduled to release in 2013 for PC and Mac.

[Game Informer]