They kind of dodged that question during http://elderscrollsonline.com/en/news/post/2014/02/17/ask-us-anything-variety-pack-13

I'd like to know if Imperials will be available at a later point in the game (to everyone) or do i only get them when i purchase the Imperial Edition..?

They're letting people upgrade to Imperial Edition after game is launched, so I expect this option will always be available in their cash shop (so not exclusive in any way, just waiting for people to save up $20 and upgrade their account).

only people who pre-purchased or all of them?

It's self-explanatory considering there's the Imperial Edition.

Everyone that purchases a Standard Edition. I assume everyone includes both preorders and future orders as well.

With the way the bonuses for the Imperial Edition are stated (i.e. Using the term "exclusive digital content") , it gives the impression that the Imperial RACE will be an exclusive unlock for owners if the IE.

However, the ability to craft Imperial styled gear is not exclusive to the IE of the game, as the in-game racial motif can be unlocked through finding it in the game. Also, if you so wish, they have stated that the ability to purchase the IE will remain available post launch.

Pretty sure when they say exclusive digital content they mean exclusive to the Imperial edition, not the pre-order. Anyone who upgrades to an Imperial edition will get it.

The Explorer's pack is less clear.

I would guess if you buy or upgrade to it later then you'd also get access to the Imperial race.

They might be slanting the language to emphasise the benefits of pre-ordering right now, because they want your money and want you to pre-order. Even a tiny bit of anxiety that not pre-ordering means you miss out on somethings works to their advantage.

But MMOs (or all merchants for that matter) rarely offer exclusive rewards that substantial truly for a 'limited time only'. One thing they don't want is future potential purchasers seeing existing players having something really good that they can never have, and not buying because of it.

Apologies, bad choice of wording on my part. I was simply referring to the digital content of the IE as you correctly stated.

Yes.. if you upgrade to the Imperial Edition you get access to the Imperial race. That should be rather clear. It was stated that the Explorer's Pack will not be available after launch. However, it is not clear as to whether or not the items and/or features included in the Explorer's Pack will be itemized and sold individually.

No need to apologise, I just misunderstood you then.

I can't find a link right now, but I'm certain that I read that the Imperial edition would always be available. It's the explorer's pack that is exclusive to preorders.

https://help.elderscrollsonline.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5674/kw/explorer%20pack%20available%20after%20launch Not hard to misinterpret.

https://help.elderscrollsonline.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4833/kw/Imperial%20edition%20available%20after%20launch after launch. Does not say for how long but you can expect atleast a month so you get to try the game.

Preorder items were clear in http://elderscrollsonline.com/en/news/post/2014/02/18/ask-us-anything-variety-pack-13

The part about the Explorer pack not being available is clear, but whether they offer those features through other means, such as a paid faction transfer, or even more overt options, is less clear.

Not at all.

That implies all content of the Explorer's pack, to me.

I think it's a good thing as well. It makes the players that preordered feel like they were rewarded and doing so restricts the number of crossovers.

Then again, having no plans currently does not say that it will never be planed otherwise.

You can upgrade at anytime to get them.

I was just glad to see that the IE bonuses from third party vendors will be available during head start.