The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

(Rockville, MD) October 22, 2004 -- Bethesda Softworks LLC, a ZeniMax Media company, today announced that The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion™ is currently in development for PC and future generation consoles. In development since 2002, Oblivion is another leap forward in role-playing with its combination of freeform gameplay and cutting-edge graphics. Oblivion is the sequel to the best-selling, award-winning role-playing game, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind®, named 2002 RPG and Game of the Year for both PC and Xbox.

"Since starting this project two years ago, our goal has been to create the quintessential RPG of the next generation," said Todd Howard, executive producer of The Elder Scrolls® series. "We looked back at what we had done with the series, and then looked ahead to what the future of video games could be, and we think this is it."

In keeping with the Elder Scrolls tradition, players will have the option to experience the main quest at their own pace, and there will be plenty of opportunities to explore the vast world and make your own way. Numerous factions can be joined, such as the thieves or mages guilds, and each contains its own complete storyline and the chance to rise to the head of the faction and reap further rewards.



Howard commented, "Our games have always been about great depth and variety in creating any kind of character you want and going out and doing whatever you want." He added, "With Oblivion, we're taking the idea of a virtual fantasy world as far as it will go."

Oblivion features a groundbreaking new AI system, called Radiant AI, which gives non-player characters (NPCs) the ability to make their own choices based on the world around them. They'll decide where to eat or who to talk to and what they'll say. They'll sleep, go to church, and even steal items, all based on their individual characteristics. Full facial animations and lip-synching, combined with full speech for all dialog, allows NPCs to come to life like never before.

Oblivion is a single-player game that takes place in Tamriel's capital province, Cyrodiil. You are given the task of finding the hidden heir to a throne that sits empty, the previous emperor having been killed by an unknown assassin. With no true Emperor, the gates to Oblivion (the equivalent of hell in the world of Tamriel) open, and demons begin to invade Cyrodiil and attack its people and towns. It's up to you to find the lost heir to the throne and unravel the sinister plot that threatens to destroy all of Tamriel.​

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Collector's Edition is single-player role-playing action in the world of the popular Elder Scrolls game. The EMperor of Tamriel has been assassinated and the killer still runs loose. Meanwhile, no heir sits on the throne. With no Emperor upon the throne, the gates of Oblivion open wide and demons invade. Your quest is to find the lost heir and place him on the throne, before demons destroy the land. Special Collector's Edition includes: Pocket Guide to the Empire, "Making of Oblivion" Documentary and a Septim Gold Coin. Next-generation graphics with pixel-shader effects for high-definition TVs, creating lifelike towns & dungeons, and the most realistic forests​

Though the Xbox 360's standard DVD format has taken some fire for its limited storage capabilities, it won't cramp what is shaping up to be one of the biggest titles of 2006: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

Official word came from the Elder Scrolls forums, where Bethesda Softworks' programmer Steve "Mr Smiley Face Dude" Meister confirmed that the final version of TESIV: Oblivion will ship on just one DVD.

It's hardly earth-shattering news...but if a game as massive and beautiful as TESIV: Oblivion can get by with just one standard DVD, why are some developers so eager to move to HD-DVD and Blu-Ray?​