Bethesda Game Studios has done it again: they executed something that sounds stupid on paper.

Bethesda’s Twitter account for Australia and New Zealand published a playable The Elder Scrolls mission. No, it’s not just a simple link to some content in the game. Instead, it’s a completely playable text format adventure – imagine the Fighting Fantasy books, but only on the social media site with the bird logo. Essentially a pen-and-paper RPG digitalized.

How does it work? The answer is fairly simple: as with the aforementioned book series, you have options to choose from, and you get to play until you either complete the mission or die along the way – the adventure can be completed, but you need to consider your decisions. For example, even a simple choice of following the road or exploring the woods could be a make-or-break decision later in the story.

The text adventure for The Elder Scrolls Online starts in the city of Markarth. It might be familiar to those who have played The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for a few (hundred… thousand?) hours. The location is intentional: it is nothing more than a marketing move by Microsoft-owned Bethesda, but a pretty good one at that. The Elder Scrolls Online has received the Markarth DLC Game Pack, which is meant to end the Dark Heart of Skyrim storyline. So they advertise an MMO expansion on Twitter. Clever.

The Australian and New Zealander players – if completed the adventure before February 1 – can enter a contest to win The Elder Scrolls Online prize packs. The MMO can be played for free until December 9, and if you like the game, you can pick the game’s Standard Edition up on Steam with a 60% discount.

To quote Todd Howard: it just works.

Source: PCGamer

Before you stands Markarth, the City of Stone, with its bustling streets dotted by scenic waterfalls. You’re looking for adventure, which is never far away in the Reach.

You overhear the words ‘Briar Rock Ruins’ & ‘danger’ in a nearby conversation. Perfect! Time to head out.⬇️ pic.twitter.com/YaKGRruoc9

— Bethesda ANZ (@Bethesda_ANZ) December 4, 2020

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