All Articles: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

When I went to pick up my copy of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim at a midnight release party I got there three hours early and I was STILL 150th in line at the store here in Phoenix. By 11:30, the line was in the 400s. It was then that I knew that Skyrim had one of the biggest openings of the year, and as it turns out, I was right.

A press release from Bethesda parent company Zenimax today revealed that seven million copies of their latest Action RPG/Soul-Consuming-Fantasy-Life-Simulator have been shipped to date, equaling about $450 million in revenue. Within 48 hours of it’s release on 11/11/11, more than 50% of all the shipped copies were sold, and massive re-orders for the game through many outlets are already expected. On Steam, Valve’s computer game distribution service, it was reported that over 280,000 players were playing the game simultaneously, shattering the previous record.

In addition to the huge sales numbers, Zenimax stated the game has seen “perfect” reviews from more than 50 outlets.

“Todd Howard and his team at Bethesda Game Studios have crafted a very special game,” said Robert Altman, Chairman and CEO of Zenimax media, “Anticipation for Skyrim has surpassed any game in our company’s history, and we are pleased that sales and reviews have reflected the quality and hours of amazing gameplay it provides.”

I for one have already thrown around 40 hours into this game, and think that this praise is, indeed, warranted. Now if you will excuse me, this news post is cutting into my precious adventuring time.

Damn. Bethesda’s new trailer for Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is hot. I mean like, burning up. If you’re already excited for this game, then this live action trailer is just going to be torture for you. November 11 is really close though, so don’t be too sad.

The Elder Scrolls series has always managed to attract respected actors to speak the thousands of lines of dialogue in a typical game in the series. But The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is going to take the star-studded cast thing further than ever before. Skyrim’s cast will feature not one, not two, but three Oscar-nominated actors. Admit it Bethesda, you’re just bragging now.

Oscar nominees Christopher Plummer, Max Von Sydow and Joan Allen will be joined by Lynda Carter (she was Wonder Woman people!), Claudia Christian (Ivanova from “Babylon 5”), Michael Hogan (“Battlestar Galactica”) and a whole host of others.

“It’s been incredible to have all these actors together,” said Todd Howard, Game Director. “When you start a project, you always make your wish-list of actors, and to actually hear them in the game, it’s amazing. We can’t wait for everyone to experience it.”

Hit the jump for more details on the characters these accomplished actors will be playing. (more…)

In a move sure to surprise no one, Bethesda announced today that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim‘s first two DLC packs will be available first on the Xbox 360. It will be arriving on Live a full 30 days before being available elsewhere.

“If you’d like to be the first to break new ground in Skyrim,” the press release says, “Xbox Live is the only destination that won’t keep you waiting.”

Who isn’t tired of timed exclusivity? Raise your hand, so I can punch you.