Bethesda has announced it’s partnering with a UK publisher, Tor, to bundle free PC copies of The Elder Scrolls Online with Travis Baldree’s new paperback release of Brigands & Breadknives, the third entry into Baldree’s “Legends and Lattes” fantasy series.
The longstanding MMORPG, which has been ongoing for around 12 years, typically sells for £15.99 on Steam, but has also recently been on sale for £3.99 as part of Bethesda’s 40th Anniversary sale.
The free codes for ESO are available on all printed copies of the Brigands & Breadknives’ paperback release at most UK-based bookstores, such as Waterstones, Foyles and local independents for around £10, or via online retailers like Amazon for £8.49.
Brigands & Breadknives (Legends & Lattes 3)
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Includes a free copy of The Elder Scrolls Online (PC), worth £19.99.
At the time of publication, Amazon’s UK listing has not been updated with any information regarding The Elder Scrolls Online. IGN reached out to Tor and Bethesda for clarification on this, and we’ve been told that the “free copy of [The Elder Scrolls Online] is on the whole first print run” and thus is “available from all retailers, including Amazon” in the UK.
For those who prefer to shop local, participating bookshops are also handing out branded bookmarks containing a secondary code that unlocks a “Pink Torchbug” pet for use in ESO as well.
After purchasing the novel, readers can enter the codes printed on the sticker through Tor’s redemption page to claim the game, limited to the first 10,000 sign-ups.
Announcing the collaboration with Bethesda, Tor described it as a partnership for “cosy fantasy book lovers and gamers”, encouraging readers to move from Baldree’s latest story into creating their own adventure in Tamriel.
The Elder Scrolls Online remains one of Bethesda, and now Xbox’s, biggest ongoing titles more than a decade after launch, continuing to receive expansions and regular content updates while attracting new players through subscription services, sales, and now, apparently, bookshops.
Fans have also recently been reassured by Zenimax and Microsoft that, despite a recent round of layoffs across Xbox, ESO will continue and isn’t on the verge of being shut down.
Bethesda is also continuing to support its other big IP, Fallout. Remasters of Fallout 3 and New Vegas are in the works in addition to a new Fallout game from Obsidian Entertainment. Bethesda has also entered pre-production on Fallout 5, likely to ensure the team can make the jump to it after The Elder Scrolls 6 is finished.
Robert Anderson is IGN’s Senior Commerce Editor and resident deals expert on games, collectibles, trading card games, and more. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Bluesky.
