Been thinking of getting into Elder Scrolls Online? Bethesda's got two big announcements that just might make you one of Tamriel's permanent residents.

The publisher said today that its MMORPG based on the popular offline role-playing series, which it launched in April 2014, will ditch its $15 monthly fee. If you own the $60 game, you'll be able to play it for free thereafter with an upgraded version, called The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited.1

The new version will launch for PC on March 17, and all existing and former subscribers will be automatically updated to Unlimited. Bethesda will make its money from selling optional downloadable content and in-game virtual items that add "convenience and customization."

Additionally, if you do want to keep paying every month, you can sign up for "ESO Plus," which will see you continue to pay an as-yet-unspecified monthly fee to get access to all of the downloadable content packs, exclusive bonuses and a "monthly allotment" of Crowns, Unlimited's in-game currency.

Bethesda

“We know that Elder Scrolls fans want choice when it comes to how they play and how they pay, and that is what they will get,” said Matt Firor, the game’s director, in this morning’s press release.

Just be aware that if you are currently a paying subscriber, you'll automatically be enrolled in ESO Plus. If you want to go free-to-play, you'll have to cancel your subscription.

And if that doesn't get you, Tamriel Unlimited will be coming to Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on June 9.

For more info, check out this Twitch broadcast the Scrolls team held earlier this afternoon.

^1. UPDATE 4:34 EST 1/21/15 This story has been amended to note that Elder Scrolls Online must be purchased for $60 before it can be played.^