Bethesda Softworks Announces The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

'Quintessential RPG of the Next Generation' Under Development
for PC and Future Generation Consoles

(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.

Source:

Press Release

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

DESCRIPTION:

Oblivion is the quintessential role-playing game for the next generation and another leap forward in gaming. Step inside the most richly detailed and vibrant game-world ever created. Oblivion is the latest chapter in the epic and highly successful Elder Scrolls saga and utilizes the latest PC and next-generation video game hardware to fully immerse you into the experience. With a powerful combination of freeform gameplay and unprecedented graphics, you can unravel the main quest at your own pace or explore the vast world and find your own challenges.

STORY:

After the mysterious and untimely death of the Emperor, the throne of Tamriel lies empty. With the Empire ready to crumble, the gates of Oblivion open and demons march upon the land-laying waste to everything in their path. To turn the tide of darkness, you must find the lost heir to the throne and unravel the sinister plot that threatens to destroy all of Tamriel.

KEY FEATURES:* Live Another Life in Another World. Create and play any character you can imagine, from the noble warrior to the sinister assassin to the wizened sorcerer. * Next Generation Graphics. Pixel-shader effects and high definition televisions are fully supported to create unprecedented visuals, including lifelike towns, dungeons, and the most realistic forests ever created in a game. * First Person Melee and Magic. An all-new combat and magic system brings first person role-playing to a new level of intensity where you feel every blow. * Radiant AI. This groundbreaking AI system gives Oblivion's characters full 24/7 schedules and the ability to make their own choices based on the world around them. Non-player characters eat, sleep, and complete goals all on their own. * Realistic Characters. Oblivion's features over 1,000 non-player characters who come to life like never before with facial animations, lip-synching, and full speech. They even engage in unscripted conversations with each other and you. * Open-Ended Game Play; Short Challenges. The enormous world of Oblivion is open for you to explore at your own pace, and shorter challenges such as fighting bandits, mixing potions, creating magic items and persuading friends keep the challenges coming.

Published by 2K Games/Bethesda Software

Developed by Bethesda Game Studios

Platforms: PC and Xbox 360

Rated: RP (Rating Pending)

Release Date: Q4 2005

Source:

Press release (18th May 2005)

2K Games And Bethesda Softworks Announce Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion To Ship During Week Of March 20

**Quintessential RPG for the Next Generation Coming to Xbox 360 and PC

New York, NY and Rockville, MD - March 2, 2006** - 2K Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), and Bethesda Softworks® today announced that the highly-anticipated role-playing game, The Elder Scrolls® IV: Oblivion™ has gone to gold master and will be available in stores in North America and Europe during the week of March 20. Oblivion will be available for Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC in both regular and collector's editions.

"Our most ambitious project ever is finally done," said Todd Howard, Executive Producer of Oblivion. "We're excited to get the game into everyone's hands and let them experience it for themselves. We hope they enjoy it. I think it's our best game yet."

Oblivion is an epic, open-ended single-player RPG for the next generation providing gamers with one of the most life-like gaming experiences to date. The powerful combination of unprecedented graphics and freeform gameplay allows gamers to unravel the main quest or explore the vast world at their own pace. Oblivion is the fourth chapter in the award-winning Elder Scrolls series that includes Morrowind® (2002 RPG of the year - Computer Gaming World), Daggerfall™ (1996 RPG of the year - PC Gamer), and Arena (1994 RPG of the year - Computer Player).

"Oblivion will set the new standard for next generation gaming and change the way role-playing games are viewed forever," said Vlatko Andonov, President of Bethesda Softworks. "We set very high goals and ensure they are reached because that is what our fans deserve and have come to expect from Bethesda Softworks. We are very proud of our team's accomplishments with respect to Oblivion."

Oblivion has already garnered numerous awards and an impressive collection of accolades, including being voted "RPG of Show" in 2005 by the Best of E3 Game Critics Awards. Oblivion ranks as one of the "Most Anticipated Games of 2006" according to PC Gamer, GameSpy, IGN, and Yahoo Games among many others, and has been featured on nearly thirty magazine covers worldwide.

"Oblivion is one of the most anticipated video games of 2006 and its release will be a milestone for the Xbox 360 and PC," said Christoph Hartmann, Managing Director, 2K Games. "A shining example of next-generation role-playing, Oblivion breaks new ground in the genre with unparalleled graphics, revolutionary gameplay and an expansive RPG world."

Oblivion for Xbox 360 and PC, co-published by 2K Games and Bethesda Softworks, has been rated 15 by the BBFC. For more information on the title visit the official web site at www.elderscrolls.com .

Source:

Press release (3rd March 2006)

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Ships Over 1.7 Million

April 10, 2006 - Take-Two Interactive Software today announced that shipments of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for PC and Xbox 360 have exceeded 1.7 million units worldwide.

"We are very encouraged by the worldwide consumer demand for Oblivion," stated Paul Eibeler, Take-Two's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The development team at Bethesda promised and delivered the first true next generation role playing game experience."

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is rated "T" for Teen by the ESRB.

Source:

Press Release

Oblivion to kwintesencja RPG kolejnej generacji i następny krok w rozwoju gier komputerowych. Wkrocz w najbardziej dopracowany i tętniący życiem świat gry, jaki do tej pory powstał. Najnowszy rozdział niezwykle udanej sagi Elder Scrolls wykorzystuje najnowsze osiągnięcia technologii, aby gracz mógł w pełni zatopić się w unikatowych realiach. Potężna mieszanka wolności wyboru i niepowtarzalnej grafiki pozwala na wykonywanie głównej ścieżki fabularnej tak, jak życzy sobie tego gracz.

Po tajemniczej i przedwczesnej śmierci Imperatora, tron Tamrielu pozostaje pusty. Podczas gdy Imperium powoli chyli się ku upadkowi, wrota Oblivion zostają otwarte i na świat przedostają się siejące spustoszenie demony. Aby zapobiec wiecznej ciemności, musisz odszukać zaginionego następcę tronu i odkryć złowrogi spisek, który grozi zniszczeniem całego Tamriel.

W skład pakietu wchodzą: * Hyper Box - unikatowe opakowanie z podwójnymi okładkami (w różnej kolorystyce) zamykanymi na rzepy. Jego wybrane elementy uwydatnione zostały przez ich efektowne polakierowanie oraz wytłoczenie na wzór edycji kolekcjonerskiej gry * szeroki box DVD wraz z kolorową obwolutą, zaprojektowaną, specjalnie do tej edycji * angielska wersja gry The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion na płycie DVD * płyta CD z patchem polonizującym grę oraz materiałami z gier firmy Take 2 * bonusowa płyta DVD z dodatkowymi materiałami: artworkami, szkicami koncepcyjnymi, filmem dokumentalnym o tworzeniu gry i wieloma innymi. * ponad 300-stronicowy, drukowany, kompletny poradnik do gry, przygotowany przez serwis GRY-OnLine.pl w języku polskim. * drukowany przewodnik po świecie gry w języku polskim - 112-stronicowa książka,opisująca wszystkie aspekty krainy Tamriel * 56-stronicowa, kolorowa instrukcja do gry w języku polskim * mapa świata gry oraz plakat The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Source:

Cenega official site (Polish distributor) - www.cenega.pl

"One look at Oblivion will shatter your conceptions about what is possible in a video game." - Game Informer

Radiant AI Technology
Interact with over 1,000 characters that have full 24/7 schedules, dynamic conversations, full speech, lip-synching, and facial animations.

Advanced Combat System
Use countless types of melee weapons, devastating spells, or stealth to customize the game to your own style.

Streamlined Interface
Easily navigate through your inventory, journal, and spellbook as you play in first or third person.

Epic Locations and Landscapes
Embark on countless adventures through stunning forests, vast dungeons, and the fiery planes of Oblivion itself.

"To call the graphics 'amazing' is an extraordinary understatement." - GameSpy

Source:

Inside Box Covers - Windows (US)

Turn The Tide of Darkness.

With the empire ready to crumble, the gates of Oblivion open and demons march upon the land. You must find the lost heir to the throne and unravel the sinister plot that threatens to destroy all of Tamriel. * Live another life in another world
Create and play any character you can imagine, from the noble warrior to the sinister assassin. * Next Generation Graphics
Unprecedented visuals including lifelike towns, dungeons, and realistic forests. * First Person Melee and Magic
An all-new combat and magic system brings first person role-playing to a new level.

Source:

Back of Box - Windows (US)

This astonishing RPG series arrives on PLAYSTATION 3 offering an entire fantasy realm for you to
explore as you please.

After the mysterious and untimely death of the Emperor, the throne of Tamriel lies empty.
With the Empire ready to crumble, the gates of Oblivion open and demons march upon the
land - laying waste to everything in their path.

To turn the tide of darkness, you must find the lost heir to the throne and unravel the
sinister plot that threatens to destroy all of Tamriel.

Create a bespoke character from a dazzling array of options, skills, races and attributes
and step into the living breathing realm of Tamriel.

The Empire may be in peril but what you do next is up to you; do you quest to save the
realm from doom as a brave and noble hero, or do you use your skills for personal gain and
amusement while the world crumbles around you?

Warrior, thief, assassin, bard, wizard, priest, spy, devout pilgrim or any number of other
paths your character could follow will illuminate a path through these troubled times, but
whether you follow the path is up to you.

Oblivion features a powerful combination of free-form gameplay, unprecedented graphics,
cutting edge AI, character voices by acting legends Patrick Stewart, Sean Bean, Terrance
Stamp, and Lynda Carter, and an award-winning soundtrack.

Gamers can choose to unravel Oblivion's epic narrative at their own pace or explore the
vast world in search of their own unique challenges.

• The award-winning series comes to PLAYSTATION 3 complete with the "Knights of the
  Nine" added content
• Amazing free-roaming gameplay allows you to write your own destiny across the history
  books of Tamriel
• Jaw-dropping graphics and stunning AI brings this amazing sword and sorcery realm to
  life - explore dungeons, cities, castles and ruins, frequent taverns or hunt in the
  wilderness

Source:

uk.playstation.com

Step into the most richly detailed and vibrant game world ever created. The Elder Scrolls® IV: Oblivion™ is the latest chapter in the epic and highly successful saga from Bethesda Softworks. Oblivion is the sequel to the best-selling, award-winning role-playing game (RPG) The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind®, named 2002 RPG and Game of the Year for Xbox®. Oblivion is another leap forward in role-playing with its combination of freeform gameplay and cutting-edge graphics.

• Good and evil: Create and play any character you can imagine, from noble warrior to sinister assassin to wizened sorcerer.
• Melee and magic: An all-new combat and magic system brings first person role-playing to a new level of intensity where you feel every blow.
• Stunning graphics: Pixel-shader effects and high-definition televisions are fully supported to create unprecedented visuals, including lifelike towns, dungeons, and the most realistic forests ever created in a game.
• Radiant A.I.: This groundbreaking artificial intelligence system gives characters full round-the-clock schedules and the ability to make their own choices based on the world around them. Non-player characters eat, sleep, and complete goals all on their own.
• Realistic characters: The game features over 1,000 non-player characters who come to life like never before with facial animations, lip-synching, and full speech. They even engage in unscripted conversations among themselves!
• Enormous environments: With its non-linear game play, the huge world of Oblivion is open for you to explore at your own pace, and shorter quests such as fighting bandits, mixing potions, creating magic items, and persuading friends keep the challenges coming.

Source:

www.xbox.com

Oblivion – однопользовательская ролевая игра, являющаяся продолжением всемирно известного бестселлера The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, получившего в 2002 году звание лучшей игры года для платформ ПК и Xbox. Oblivion выполнен в лучших традициях серии The Elder Scrolls, предлагая вашему вниманию графику высочайшего уровня и неограниченную свободу действий в огромном, высокодетализированном мире. Сюжет игры перенесет вас в самое сердце Тамриэльской империи – провинцию Cиродиил. Империя обезглавлена, ее властитель убит, и именно вы должны отправиться на поиски истинного наследника имперского трона, укрытого в безопасном месте.

Помимо выполнения своей основной задачи, вы сможете исследовать бескрайние просторы Cиродиила, присоединяться к разнообразным фракциям, возвыситься до главы одной из нескольких гильдий или остаться вольным странником. Кроме того, Oblivion позволит вам оценить AI нового уровня, благодаря которому все персонажи игры ведут себя, как живые люди – спят, трапезничают, посещают храмы, воруют и совершают великое множество прочих действий.

Сразу же после релиза TES IV: Oblivion стала бестселлером №1 в развлекательной индустрии: за первые 2 недели продаж было реализовано 1,7 миллионов копий этой эпической ролевой игры. TES IV: Oblivion получила массу положительных отзывов в прессе; ее средний рейтинг, вычисленный на основании 50 рецензий от самых авторитетных специализированных изданий, составляет 93%.

Особенности игры

• Создайте любого героя, какого только сможете вообразить — от благородного воина до коварного убийцы.
• Графика нового поколения: неотличимые от настоящих города, подземелья и леса; качественная лицевая анимация персонажей; спецэффекты беспрецедентного уровня.
• Обновленная боевая и магическая система: бесчисленное количество видов оружия и заклинаний, а также их комбинаций.
• Более 1000 персонажей, живущих собственной жизнью.
• Огромный мир для исследования: непроходимые леса, многоярусные шахты, пылающие пустоши Обливиона...

Локализованная версия The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion обновлена до v.1.1.511.

Source:

games.1c.ru (Publisher's website)