Elder Scrolls Online Will Not Run On New ARM-Based Macs Says Matt Firor

Elder Scrolls Online players planning to buy the new ARM CPU Macs won’t be able to play the game on the new rig says ZeniMax Online Studios. “Please be aware that these new ARM-based Macs cannot run software created for Intel-based computers,” warns Game Director Matt Firor in his recent letter to the community.

According to Firor, porting the game to the new CPUs will require software rewrites and emulation for the game to function which just isn’t a viable option.

“It is a huge undertaking to port a product as old, large, and complex as ESO to a new CPU, with no certain outcome of success,” he explains. “Because of these factors, we will not be porting ESO to run on the new ARM-based Macs. ESO will continue to run on Intel-based Macs, and we will support it as long as there is a large enough Mac user base to warrant it. While it will be technically possible to run ESO via x86 emulation on the new Macs, expect a subpar gaming experience that we will not officially support.”

Firror says that players who purchase the new ARM-based Macs will still be able to play the game on their Intel-based Macs, on PC, or through Google Stadia.