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.
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