https://help.elderscrollsonline.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5141/kw/explorer

One potential 'paygate' down. While I would be happier if this incentive were removed completely (I don't feel the increase in pre-launch sales is worth the decrease post-launch, even in the short term), I am at least happy that 'faction unlocks' won't be for sale.

...unless, of course, they separate all the other goodies (treasure maps, pet etc) and claim that it's no longer an 'Explorer's Pack'. Feel free to rage the internet off its hinges if they try that stunt.

look at the wording. Nowhere do I see mention of "No, you won't be able to unlock factions after launch." It just says the "explorer pack". They will separate it. No doubt.

very true

zenimax please fix this

I didn't see any example of why races are locked into factions....


...from what's Devs have said anyways. The best example we were given, in my mind was during the quake con footage. "Tired of dealing with invasions, unlikely alliances began to form." Not quite sure how that explains every khajiit working trade, every argonian innkeeper, and all the mages and fighters guild races leave to their home nations from where they live.

But that's not the point, the point is the dreaded pay wall, so I submit to you
What is the difference from the pre-order bonus not being available in the future, or being available for a price?
Either way, it's not available to everyone, so would you prefer that no one get it?
If I can't have it, no one should.

Yes. I already point that out, if you'll notice. And again, that would be pedantry of the lowest order, and would justifiably earn them a torrent of rage.

And they 100% wouldn't do it because "any race any alliance" is the only good thing in the Explorer's pack.

I'm happy about this. Pre-orders get a real exclusive, there's no paygate, and most people will still be picking home races. Good good.

Don't trust them.

*sigh*

This changes things indeed. I'm happy that it will not be available after the launch of the game. Although we never know in the future...

Still my low opinion about the way they implemented this remains the same.

Did you read what you wrote? "Pre-orders get a real exclusive..." hint: the real exclusive is in-game content, and a pretty big deal. It's like saying pre-order WoW and you can play as a human for the horde! "there's no paygate" ...what's your definition of paygate. Mine is withholding in game content behind a gate that you have to pay to go through. How is getting to play any race any alliance NOT in-game content?