Two big announcements have come from Bethesda and ZeniMax this morning concerningThe Elder Scrolls Online, their most recent foray into the MMORPG world of gaming.

First of all, The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited now has a console release date. The MMO will hit both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on June 9, 2015.

The good news? Bethesda and ZeniMax have elected to launch the console version of The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited without a monthly subscription cost. Buy the game once, and you’ll be able to play it online for the rest of its lifespan.

Even further, PC gamers will see their subscription cost dropped as well. The press release even indicates that “regular updates and new gameplay will be offered to all players to enjoy free of additional charges.”

However. There’s always a “however.” The press release also indicates that ESO will now be supported with “special, optional downloadable content available for purchase and an in-game Crown Store for convenience and customization items.” Smells like microtransactions to me. Mmmmmm, microtransactions.

Taking that one step further, Bethesda and ZeniMax revealed ESO Plus. This will be a monthly subscription that affords players “a premium membership service, providing exclusive in-game bonuses, a monthly allotment of crowns to use in the store and access to all DLC game packs while a member.” If you already pay for the game monthly on PC and Mac, you’ll be enrolled in ESO Plus automatically. Everyone else can sign up for it on their own.

So, we have a console release date for The Elder Scrolls Online and the switch away from monthly fees and towards microtransactions and a premium subscription tier. What do you folks think?