‘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: Oblivionâ„¢ 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.

For more information on Oblivion and The Elder Scrolls series, visit the
official web site: www.elderscrolls.com.

About Bethesda Softworks®
Headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, Bethesda Softworks LLC, a ZeniMax
Media company, is a developer and publisher of entertainment software and
has published numerous award-winning titles, including The Elder Scrolls®
series and the Terminatorâ„¢ series. Its full product line spans the sports,
racing, RPG, strategy and action genres. For more information on Bethesda
Softworks’ products, visit www.bethsoft.com.

Bethesda Softworks LLC is a ZeniMax Media company. The Elder Scrolls,
Oblivion, Morrowind, Bethesda Softworks and ZeniMax and their respective
logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of ZeniMax Media Inc. Other
product and company names referenced herein may be trademarks of their
respective owners. All rights reserved.​