An interview with Bethesda's Pete Hines reveals some future plans they've got for Fallout 3 and the franchise as a whole. Hines talks about the DLC, the possibility of a Fallout MMO, and where the Oblivion books would take the franchise. Details in the full article.

Maybe with Fallout 3 finally released, Bethesda can focus on other projects, yes? If you're a fan of the Elder Scrolls series, then things are (potentially) looking up. But! If you're a fan of the Elder Scrolls series and still holding out for an Oblivion PSP, then things aren't quite looking up. Also! If you're a Bethesda fan owning the Wii or DS, then... well, maybe you might want to start broadening you console horizons.

Thought last week's game releases were a bit on the sparse side? This week should brighten you up especially if you own a Nintendo Wii or a Sony PlayStation Portable. A handful of releases have come out on each platform to keep owners busy. The Nintendo DS, as usual, has another crop of light games, while next-generation consoles Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 also have something to share. What exactly? See for yourself in this week's list.

* Article originally posted Dec 03, 2007 at 12:10AM

Fans of Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (PC, Xbox 360, PS3) should be keeping an eye on the U.S. PlayStation Store next week. Peter Hines, Bethesda’s Vice President of Public Relations and Marketing, has reportedly confirmed that The Elder Scrolls IV: The Shivering Isles, the first expansion pack for Oblivion, will be hitting the U.S. PlayStation Store on Thursday.

  

Playstation 3 owners and fans of The Elder Scrolls iV: Oblivion (PC, Xbox 360, PS3) can now rejoice! Bethesda Softworks has recently announced that they will release the Shivering Isles official expansion pack for the Sony PS3 next month. While The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has been available for the PC, Xbox and PS3 for quite some time, the Shivering Isles stand-alone pack had only previously seen the light of day on the PC and the Xbox 360. That is, until Bethesda Softworks decided to keep their word.

Bethesda's Shivering Isles features Sheogorath, Daedric Prince of the Realm of Madness. His realm is divided into two sections: the bright, colorful and oversaturated Mania, and the dark, depressing and claustrophobic Dementia. Players who dare to brave the Shivering Isles will be treated to new weapons and armor, new items, new ingredients, new spells, new achievements and new enemies, plus a chance to face Prince Sheogorath himself in combat.

Bethesda Softworks has scheduled the shipment of Shivering Isles on November 20. It has been rated M for Mature by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).

Ubisoft sent out word that gamers in UK and the rest of Europe can finally get their hands on the Game of the Year Edition of the PlayStation 3 build of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (also on PC and Xbox 360).

It should be remembered that fans in North America got their copy last September. This special packaging will hit European retail shelves this December and will contain the original video game title, the expansion The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles, as well as the downloadable content pack Knights of the Nine.

While pricing has yet to be revealed, we expect it to cost similarly to the North American version (US$ 59.99). We believe this will make fans in the said region happy and most important of all, prepared for the new expansion Fighter's Stronghold. The said expansion was released last October 15 and we expect that our European friends can get it as well soon.

Aside from containing new environments, Fighter's Stronghold also offers new content to further customize and improve your character.

Bethesda Game Studios has announced a new add-on to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion called Fighter's Stronghold. As the sixth addition to the official plug-ins offered by Bethesda, Fighter's Stronghold adds a new quest and a new property to acquire: the Battlehorn Castle. DLC6 is expected to release by Monday next week (that's October 15) and should be ready for the PC and Xbox 360 versions. Features include:

• A fully detailed castle for you to explore
• Knights of the True Horn patrol the castle and do your bidding
• Secret treasure vault
• Upgrade the furnishings in every area of the castle
• Hire a vintner to create special wines to enhance your fighting abilities
• Hire a combat trainer to spar with
• Hire a taxidermist to craft lifelike trophies for your great hall
• Purchase an ancient Dwemer Forge that buffs your Armorer skill

Those who've beaten back the Daedric Prince Mehrunes Dagon and have been to The Shivering Isles and back may want to give this new content a go. After all, aside for being free to download in Xbox LIVE for the first week, it's also the developers' last official contribution to Oblivion content. Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition will follow shortly, says Bethesda, and a PlayStation 3 solution for downloadable content is coming very soon.

Buy: [ The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (PC) ]
Buy: [ The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Xbox 360) ]
Buy: [ The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year (PS3) ]

Announced by Bethesda Softworks a few weeks ago, the Game of the Year edition for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (PC, Xbox 360, PS3) will be released this September. The special edition will contain not only the game itself, but even throw in both the Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles expansions.

The console versions of the Game of the Year edition are priced at US$ 59.99, while the PC version is clocked in at US$ 49.99. New Zealand gaming website PS3 Only was able to fish out the box art for the PS3 version of the GOTY edition, as seen on the right.

PS3 owners who still haven't been able to immerse themselves in the world of The Elder Scrolls have this perfect chance to get the whole "bundle so far." The core game was astounding enough, but couple that with the expansions, and this deserves nothing but a Game of the Year award.

Bethesda has finally sent 'round an official announcement for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition. This particular expanded version of the game was earlier sighted on a GameStop listing.

The Game of the Year Edition, available for the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, will include the original version of Bethesda's award-winning RPG The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (PC, PS3, Xbox 360) along with the Shivering Isles expansion.

The Game of the Year Edition will also include the Knights of the Nine downloadable content. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition will be available in retail stores this September.

 

Folks over at the NeoGAF Forums have probably inquired if Bethesda is intending to deliver the sole expansion pack to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for the PlayStation 3 this year and received a PR-ish reply that Shivering Isles is still coming to Sony's next-gen console.

Although they did specify the window of release (anywhere between today and December 31), they weren't keen on revealing when exactly it would come out in 2007. As to anything regarding unique content, downloadable content, or how the expansion pack will be distributed, they were mum about it.

Now while inthezone, a member of the NeoGAF Forums, was happy to share the email reply with other RPG fans on the PS3, the news did spark concern regarding Sony's superior line up of title releases this fall. Many of the titles are big and very highly anticipated and fans of the game fear that the expansion pack would probably be forgotten by then.

Will Bethesda get another repeat of angry mobs at the gates? Unless they do share their information soon, just as the promise in the email, they just might. Here's to hoping they reveal more soon, folks!