The Elder Scrolls (abbreviated as TES) is an action role-playing open world video game series developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. The Elder Scrolls games take place on the fictional world of Nirn, on the continent of Tamriel, a large landmass divided into nine provinces. The actual Elder Scrolls play a very limited role in the storyline of the series, serving only as framing plot device, and are rarely referred to in-game, or even in the in-game literature. The first game, The Elder Scrolls: Arena, was released in 1994. It was intended for players to assume the role of an arena combatant, but development shifted the game into a role-playing game (RPG), beginning a tradition that persists throughout the series' history.[1] The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall was published in 1996. Fueled by the modest success of Arena, Daggerfall was even more ambitious than its predecessor, featuring one of the first true 3D worlds on a large scale, a game world claimed to be the size of Great Britain.[2]
After the release of spin-off games An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire and The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard in 1997 and 1998, respectively, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, released in 2002, saw a return to the old-style expansive and non-linear gameplay, and a shift towards individually detailed landscapes and items, with a smaller game-world than past titles.[3] The game achieved commercial success, and sold over four million units by mid-2005.[4] Two expansions were released between late 2002 and early 2003: The Elder Scrolls III: Tribunal and The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon. Development of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion began in 2002, and focused on artificial intelligence improvements that interact dynamically with the game-world.[5] Released in 2006, the game achieved commercial success and critical acclaim; expansion packs Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles were released for the game.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was announced on December 11, 2010, at the Spike Video Game Awards 2010.[6] The game is not a direct sequel to its predecessor, Oblivion, but instead takes place 200 years later, in the land called Skyrim, in Tamriel. It was released on November 11, 2011 to critical acclaim, and two expansion sets, Dawnguard and Dragonborn, have been released as of December 2012. The Elder Scrolls Online, a massively multiplayer role-playing video game developed by ZeniMax Online Studios, was announced on May 3, 2012, in an exclusive reveal by Game Informer.[7] The game is the first open-ended multiplayer installment of the franchise, and will be set a millennium before the events of the previous game in the series, Skyrim, although most of the continent of Tamriel will be playable in the game. The Elder Scrolls Online has been in development for 5 years prior to its announcement in May 2012 and is slated for release in 2013.[7]
Video games
editBlank cell indicates title was not released on any platform(s) by the specified manufacturers | |
Cell with games console(s) indicates title was released on platform(s) by the specified manufacturers |
Main games
editTitle | Release details | Platform(s) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft | Nintendo | Sega | Sony | Other | ||
The Elder Scrolls: Arena[8] |
|
DOS | ||||
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall[9] |
|
DOS | ||||
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind[10] |
|
Windows Xbox |
||||
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion[11] |
|
Windows Xbox 360 |
PlayStation 3 | Mobile[a] | ||
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim[12] |
|
Windows Xbox 360 |
PlayStation 3 |
Expansions and other games
editTitle | Release details | Platform(s) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft | Nintendo | Sega | Sony | Other | ||
An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire[13] |
|
DOS | ||||
The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard[14] |
|
DOS | ||||
The Elder Scrolls III: Tribunal[15] |
|
Windows | ||||
The Elder Scrolls Travels: Stormhold[16] |
|
Mobile | ||||
The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon[17] |
|
Windows | ||||
The Elder Scrolls Travels: Dawnstar[18] |
|
Mobile | ||||
The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey[19] |
|
Mobile[b] | ||||
The Elder Scrolls IV: Knights of the Nine[20] |
|
Windows Xbox 360[c] |
||||
The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles[21] |
|
Windows Xbox 360 |
PlayStation 3 | |||
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dawnguard[22] |
|
Windows Xbox 360 |
||||
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dragonborn[23] |
|
Windows Xbox 360 |
PlayStation 3 | |||
The Elder Scrolls Online[7] |
|
Windows[d] | Mac OS[d] |
Notes
edit- ^ The mobile version of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was developed by Superscape.[11]
- ^ The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey was developed by Vir2L Studios and TKO Software.[19]
- ^ The Xbox 360 version of The Elder Scrolls IV: Knights of the Nine is only available through Xbox Live Marketplace.[20]
- ^ a b The Elder Scrolls Online is developed by ZeniMax Online Studios.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Arena – Behind the Scenes". Bethesda Softworks (ZeniMax Media). 2004. Archived from the original on May 9, 2007. Retrieved June 8, 2007
- ^ "Daggerfall – Behind The Scenes". Bethesda Softworks (ZeniMax Media). Archived from the original on May 18, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
- ^ "Morrowind, Behind the Scenes". The Elder Scrolls Tenth Anniversary. Bethesda Softworks. 2004. Archived from the original on November 14, 2006. Retrieved November 22, 2006.
- ^ "Lynda Carter Joins the Voice Cast of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" (Press release). ZeniMax Media. August 17, 2005. Archived from the original on October 5, 2010. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
- ^ Houghton, Mat. "Developers Corner: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion". Game Chronicles. Retrieved August 11, 2007.
- ^ Christopher Grant (December 11, 2010). "Skyrim: Elder Scrolls 5 coming 11/11/11". Joystiq. AOL Inc. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b c d The Elder Scrolls Online:
- "June Cover Revealed: The Elder Scrolls Online". Game Informer. GameStop Corporation. May 3, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
- ^ The Elder Scrolls: Arena
- Ramsay, Morgan (2012). Gamers at Work: Stories Behind the Games People Play. Apress. p. 75. ISBN 9781430233510. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
- House, Michael L. "The Elder Scrolls: Arena". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
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- ^ The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
- Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition. Guinness World Records. 2008. p. 162. ISBN 9781904994213. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
- House, Michael L. "The Elder Scrolls: Chapter 2 -- Daggerfall". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
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- ^ The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
- Jesse Russell, Ronald Cohn (2012). The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Book on Demand. p. 140. ISBN 5510528257. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
- Marriott, Scott Alan. "The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (Windows)". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
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(help) - Frankle, Gavin. "The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (Xbox)". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
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- ^ a b The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
- Olafson, Peter (2006). Elder Scrolls IV: The Oblivion. Prima Games. p. 430. ISBN 9780761555483. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
- All Game Guide. "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Windows)". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
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(help) - All Game Guide. "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (X360)". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
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(help) - Deci, T. J. "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (PS3)". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
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(help) - "The Elder Scrolls(R) IV: Oblivion Mobile Game and Jaws 3D Launch on Rogers Network". PR Newswire. Archived from the original on December 11, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
- "The Elder Scrolls(R) IV: Oblivion(TM) Mobile Game Now Available on Cingular". PR Newswire. Archived from the original on December 11, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
- ^ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim:
- Marriott, Scott Alan. "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Windows)". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
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(help) - Marriott, Scott Alan. "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (X360)". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
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(help) - Marriott, Scott Alan. "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PS3)". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
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- Marriott, Scott Alan. "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Windows)". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
- ^ An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire:
- "Battlespire (PC)". MeriStation. Grupo Prisa. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
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(help) - House, Michael L. "Battlespire: An Elder Scrolls Legend". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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- "Battlespire (PC)". MeriStation. Grupo Prisa. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
- ^ The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard:
- All game Guide. "The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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(help) - "The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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- All game Guide. "The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ The Elder Scrolls III: Tribunal:
- Marriott, Scott Alan. "he Elder Scrolls III: Tribunal". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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- Marriott, Scott Alan. "he Elder Scrolls III: Tribunal". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ The Elder Scrolls Travels: Stormhold:
- "The Elder Scrolls Travels: Stormhold". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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- "The Elder Scrolls Travels: Stormhold". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon:
- Hoogland, Mark. "The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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- Hoogland, Mark. "The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ The Elder Scrolls Travels: Dawnstar:
- "The Elder Scrolls Travels: Dawnstar". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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- "The Elder Scrolls Travels: Dawnstar". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ a b The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey
- "The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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(help) - Art, Albert (December 18, 2012). "Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey". 1UP.com. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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- "The Elder Scrolls Travels: Shadowkey". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ a b The Elder Scrolls IV: Knights of the Nine:
- All Game Guide. "The Elder Scrolls IV: Knights of the Nine". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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- Purchese, Rob (November 27, 2006). "Review - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Knights of the Nine". Eurogamer. Retrieved August 31, 2007.
- All Game Guide. "The Elder Scrolls IV: Knights of the Nine". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles:
- Leach, Gracie. "The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles (Windows)". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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- Leach, Gracie. "The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles [Xbox Live]". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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- Leach, Gracie. "The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles (PS3) [Retail Package]". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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- Leach, Gracie. "The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles (X360) [Retail Package]". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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- Ransom-Wiley, James (January 18, 2007). "Bethesda (finally) confirms Shivering Isles Oblivion expansion". Joystiq. AOL Inc.. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- Bishop, Stuart (January 4, 2007). "Oblivion expansion: First concrete details". Computer and Video Games. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- Leach, Gracie. "The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles (Windows)". Allgame. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dawnguard:
- DuttonfRED (May 1, 2012). "Skyrim DLC expansion Dawnguard announced Out this Summer, Xbox 360 gets it first". Eurogamer. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- Karmali, Luke (June 26, 2012). "Skyrim Expansion Dawnguard Released on Xbox 360". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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- Gallegos, Anthony (August 2, 2012). "Dawnguard is Out for PC Right Now". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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- Hafer, T. J. (August 2, 2012). "Dawnguard released on Steam". PC Gamer. Future Publishing Limited. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dragonborn:
- Fletcher, JC (November 5, 2012). "Skyrim 'Dragonborn' DLC out on Xbox 360 Dec. 4". Joystiq. AOL Inc. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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- Karmali, Luke (December 3, 2012). "Skyrim Dragonborn DLC Hitting PS3 and PC in 2013". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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- Fletcher, JC (November 5, 2012). "Skyrim 'Dragonborn' DLC out on Xbox 360 Dec. 4". Joystiq. AOL Inc. Retrieved December 15, 2012.