The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Headed to PS3 and PSP

Bethesda Softworks issued a press release earlier this morning announcing development of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for both the Playstation 3 and PSP.

Bethesda Softworks Announces Oblivion™ for PLAYSTATION®3 and PSP®System

Award-Winning, Best-Selling Role Playing Game Slated As
PLAYSTATION®3 Launch Title in North America and Europe
September 28, 2006 (Rockville, MD) Bethesda Softworks® announced today that its blockbuster role-playing game, The Elder Scrolls® IV: Oblivion™ will be a launch title for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system this November in North America, and next March in Europe when the new console is expected to be released there. In addition, The Elder Scrolls® Travels: Oblivion™ will be released on the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system in the Spring 2007 in North America and Europe.

Both the PLAYSTATION 3 and PSP system titles will be published exclusively in North America by Bethesda Softworks, while in Europe, Ubisoft will serve as co-publisher. Complete details on both games are available in Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine’s (OPM) exclusive cover story (November issue), which hits newsstands Oct. 10. In its article OPM previews the gameplay, graphics, and new content in Oblivion and concludes: (If any game is worth the price of the PS3, Oblivion is it.”

Released in March for Xbox 360™™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows, Oblivion has already earned high praises and awards from publications around the world. Official Xbox Magazine (US) gave Oblivion a 9.5 out of 10 and an Editor’s Choice award, calling Oblivion (An Absolute Masterpiece.) G4 TV named it the Best Game of 2006, and PC Gamer (UK) ranked Oblivion #1 on its list of the Top 100 PC games of all time.

Metracritic.com lists Oblivion as the highest rated game of all time on Xbox 360. Oblivion has also been nominated for numerous awards in upcoming events, including the Golden Joystick Awards (five nominations) and The British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards (five nominations).
(We’re very excited to be able to bring a game like Oblivion out for launch for the PLAYSTATION 3,) said Bethesda Softworks president, Vlatko Andonov. (Oblivion’s countless awards and commercial success to date make it clear that PLAYSTATION 3 owners are in for a real treat this November.)

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.

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.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is rated (M) for Mature by the ESRB and will be in stores throughout North America on November 17. For more information on The Elder Scrolls and Oblivion, visit the official web site at www.elderscrolls.com .

About Bethesda Softworks

Headquartered in Rockville, MD, Bethesda Softworks LLC, a subsidiary of ZeniMax Media Inc., is a premier developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software and has produced numerous award-winning titles, most recently with The Elder Scrolls® IV: Oblivionâ„¢ and the 2002 PC and Xbox® Game of the Year and RPG of the Year, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrrowind®. Among Bethesda’s more popular franchises are The Elder Scrolls® series and Fallout®, as well as its licensed properties, Pirates of the Caribbeanâ„¢ and Star Trek®. Its product line spans the sports, racing, RPG, strategy, and action genres. For more information on Bethesda Softworks’ products, visit www.bethsoft.com .