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.