Quick Guide
- The Elder Scrolls Online currently does not offer native Steam achievements.
- The game features its own extensive in-game achievement system accessible to all players.
- Community discussions reveal mixed opinions on the potential addition of Steam achievements.
- Players who own ESO outside Steam can often still link and play the game through the Steam client.
For many PC gamers, Steam achievements are a badge of honor, a public record of their dedication and accomplishments across countless titles. So, it's natural to wonder about The Elder Scrolls Online Steam achievements. As a massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) available on the popular platform, one might expect a robust set of digital accolades tied to their Steam profile. However, the situation is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
While The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is indeed available on Steam and boasts an incredibly deep achievement system within the game itself, it does not currently feature native Steam achievements that populate your Steam profile. This absence has been a topic of frequent discussion among the player base, sparking debates about game development priorities, player experience, and the very nature of digital legacies.
The Current State of ESO Achievements on Steam
If you launch The Elder Scrolls Online through Steam, you'll find that your Steam profile doesn't display any game-specific achievements. This is because ZeniMax Online Studios (ZOS), the game's developer, has not integrated its in-game achievement system with Steam's platform-level achievement tracking.
Instead, ESO relies on its own comprehensive internal achievement system. This system tracks everything from completing quests and exploring zones to defeating challenging bosses and participating in PvP battles. These in-game achievements unlock titles, dyes, collectibles, and even account-wide bonuses, providing plenty of motivation for players to pursue them. The sheer volume of these in-game achievements is staggering, numbering in the thousands, which far surpasses the typical count for many Steam-integrated titles.
In-Game vs. Platform Achievements
It's crucial to distinguish between ESO's in-game achievements and external platform achievements. Every player, regardless of whether they play through Steam, the standalone PC client, or consoles, has access to the same vast array of in-game achievements. These are stored on your character or account within ESO's servers.
Console versions of The Elder Scrolls Online, such as those on Xbox, do have platform-specific achievements (Xbox Achievements). This fact often fuels the community's desire for a similar integration with Steam, as it demonstrates that ZOS is capable of translating in-game accomplishments into platform-level recognition.
Why No Steam Achievements? Community Perspectives
The lack of The Elder Scrolls Online Steam achievements isn't due to a technical impossibility, but rather a combination of historical context and perceived development priorities. Community reports from various discussions highlight several key reasons why ZOS might have opted against Steam integration:
Development Priorities
One of the most frequently cited reasons by players is the allocation of development resources. Creating and maintaining a separate set of Steam achievements, or integrating the existing thousands, would require developer time and effort. Many players feel that ZOS's resources are better spent addressing in-game issues, developing new content, or improving existing systems. As one player noted on the official forums, "ZoS will have to create those achievements and I much rather have them spent that time on in-game issues/improvements of which there are enough to last them a few years as it is."
The "Unfairness" Argument
Another point raised in community discussions revolves around fairness to players who do not use Steam. The Elder Scrolls Online launched in 2014, long before it was available on Steam in 2015. A significant portion of the PC player base purchased and continues to play the game through the standalone Bethesda/ZOS client. Some of these players express concern that Steam-exclusive achievements would create a divide or feel unfair to those who chose not to play via Steam.
However, this argument is often countered by other players who point out that Steam achievements would be additional to the existing in-game system, not a replacement. Players using the standalone client would still have all their in-game achievements, and those on Steam would simply have an extra layer of recognition on their profile.
The Case For Steam Achievements
Despite the reasons against it, a vocal segment of the ESO community strongly desires The Elder Scrolls Online Steam achievements. Their arguments often center on the benefits of platform integration and consistency with other popular titles.
Gaming Legacy and Cross-Platform Precedents
For many, Steam is more than just a game launcher; it's a platform for tracking their gaming journey. Steam achievements contribute to a player's "gaming legacy," a permanent record of their accomplishments that persists even if a game's servers eventually shut down. As one player articulated, "when the game shuts down, there will be nothing to share. It's just gone. Steam achievements are a no brainer."
The precedent set by other large-scale online games is also a strong point. Titles like Fallout 76, also published by Bethesda, successfully integrated its in-game achievements with Steam. Similarly, Halo: The Master Chief Collection features nearly a thousand Steam achievements, disproving the notion that ESO's vast number of achievements is an insurmountable barrier. The existence of Xbox achievements for ESO further strengthens the argument that the data and structures to implement them on Steam already exist.
The Role of Account-Wide Achievements
The introduction of Account-Wide Achievements (AWA) in ESO has also been cited by players as a reason why Steam achievements would make even more sense now. AWA streamlined the in-game achievement system, making many accomplishments shared across all characters on an account. This could potentially simplify the process of mapping these achievements to a platform like Steam, as the tracking is now consolidated at a higher level.
Even without native Steam achievements, you can still play The Elder Scrolls Online through Steam.
If you own the game's base license outside of Steam, you can often link it to your Steam account and launch it from there. This allows you to utilize Steam's overlay, friends list, and trading cards, even if you won't earn platform-specific achievements.
Playing ESO Through Steam (Even Without Achievements)
It's important to clarify that playing The Elder Scrolls Online through Steam offers benefits beyond just achievements. Many players choose to play via Steam for its convenient library management, integrated voice chat, screenshot functionality, and access to Steam trading cards and community features.
If you purchased ESO directly from the Bethesda/ZOS store or received it through other means, you can often add it as a "non-Steam game" or, in some cases, link your ZOS account to Steam to launch the game directly through the Steam client. This provides the Steam overlay and other features, even if the achievement system remains separate. For the official Steam page and more information, visit The Elder Scrolls Online on Steam.
The Future of Steam Achievements in ESO
As of now, ZeniMax Online Studios has not announced any plans to introduce native The Elder Scrolls Online Steam achievements. While the community continues to express its desire for them, especially given the precedents set by other games and the existence of console achievements for ESO, the developers have seemingly prioritized other areas of game development.
The debate highlights a broader tension between player expectations for platform integration and a developer's focus on its core game experience. For now, ESO players will continue to chase their thousands of in-game achievements, enjoying the rich rewards and sense of accomplishment they provide within Tamriel.
FAQ
Does The Elder Scrolls Online have Steam achievements?
No, The Elder Scrolls Online does not currently have native Steam achievements that appear on your Steam profile. It relies on its own extensive in-game achievement system.
Why doesn't ESO have Steam achievements when other games like Fallout 76 do?
Community discussions suggest reasons include developer resource allocation, the game's launch predating its Steam availability, and the already vast number of in-game achievements. However, many players point to Fallout 76 and ESO's own Xbox achievements as evidence that it is feasible.
Can I still play The Elder Scrolls Online through Steam even if it doesn't have Steam achievements?
Yes, you can play The Elder Scrolls Online through Steam. Even if you own the game outside of Steam, you can often link your account or add the game to your Steam library to utilize Steam's client features, such as the overlay and friends list.
Will The Elder Scrolls Online ever get Steam achievements?
ZeniMax Online Studios has not announced any plans to add The Elder Scrolls Online Steam achievements. While players frequently request them, there is no official confirmation or timeline for their implementation.