Elder Scrolls Online Xbox One/PS4 delay confirmed -- Bethesda explains why it was necessary

The reports were right. The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of MMO The Elder Scrolls Online have been delayed. Publisher Bethesda confirmed the news in a statement released today. The company explains that "unique problems" related to the Xbox One and PS4 are to blame for the delay.

"We continue to work on the console versions of ESO, and game development has been progressing steadily, but we are still working to solve a series of unique problems specific to those platforms," Bethesda said in a statement. "Integrating our systems with each console manufacturer’s networks--which are both different from the PC/Mac system as well as different from each other--has been a challenging process. It has become clear that our planned June release of the console versions isn't going to be possible. Though we have made great progress, we have concluded that we’ll need about six months to ensure we deliver the experience our fans expect and deserve."

As a means to "make it up to" fans, Bethesda said it has reached a special arrangement with Sony and Microsoft. If you buy the PC/Mac version of The Elder Scrolls Online by the end of June, you will have the chance to transfer your character(s) to either console (Xbox One/PS4) when those versions are released.

"The offer will allow you to begin playing immediately on the PC/Mac, and then add the PS4 or Xbox One version and transfer the character(s) you have created and developed," Bethesda said. "And, you don’t have to pay full price for the game twice. For $20, eligible PC and Mac players will have the option to add a full, digital version of ESO on either the PS4 or the Xbox One with your character transfer(s), and another 30 days of included game time."

For more on The Elder Scrolls Online, be sure to read GameSpot's review of the PC version.