Summary

  • The Elder Scrolls Online Update 44 has overhauled the Battlegrounds mode.
  • However, players are struggling to find full lobbies and running into lengthy queue times.
  • ZeniMax told TheGamer that it is aware of the issue and working on a fix.

The Elder Scrolls Online Update 44 has completely overhauled the PvP mode Battlegrounds. Gone are the 4v4v4 matches, replaced now by 8v8 and 4v4 modes instead. But there's a problem, as many players and streamers are running into long queues and being kicked out of lobbies that struggle to fill.

Update 44 also introduces the game's first non-binary companion.

ZeniMax Is Aware Of The Problem

We spoke to lead combat and PvP designer Brian Wheeler about the changes, and brought up these teething problems. He assures that the team is not only aware, but has a solution in the works.

"It's the growing pains of making massive changes to a system that's [been] established for a while, but we do have a handle on that, and we are working on getting a fix deployed for that queue issue soon," Wheeler tells TheGamer.

It's one of those things where you're making a lot of changes to a lot of front facing systems, and sometimes this stuff doesn't appear until things come under load.

"When that came up, we were like, 'Okay, well, we gotta fix that as soon as we possibly can.' We know that's a big one. I've had a match or two where it's just sat there, and people are pretty cordial right now. They're like, 'Okay, well, I'll see you in five minutes!' It's obviously not ideal."

The new Battlegrounds update is the biggest shift for the mode since it was first introduced in the Morrowind chapter, not only because of the overhauled team format, but because of the seven new maps. These are the first to be implemented since 2017.

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Power-ups have also been reintroduced and expanded upon, with bonuses like speed boosts and quad damage. Team Deathmatch even features a new lives mechanic now, in which each death reduces your team's number of lives until you finally run out and the round ends.

It's a huge shake-up, offering a more casual, less intensive Battlegrounds experience in 8v8, and leaning even further into the adrenaline-pounding intensity of 4v4v4 in the reduced 4v4 mode. Hopefully, it'll be a bit easier to try it out soon.

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The Elder Scrolls Online

MMORPG Systems 9.5/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 71/100 Critics Rec: 38% Released April 4, 2014 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence Developer(s) ZeniMax Online Studios Publisher(s) Bethesda Engine proprietary engine, heroengine
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The Elder Scrolls Online is an MMORPG enjoyed by millions of players, set in the continent of Tamriel. Initially launched in 2014, multiple expansions take you to Skyrim, Morrowind, and other iconic locations from the series. You can choose from one of ten races and five classes before taking on a multitude of quests, dungeons, and trials.

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