Bethesda officially announces The Elder Scrolls Online to no one's surprise

by: John - posted: 5/3/2012 11:18:00 AM

Ok, we knew they were looking for developers in the MMO area and we had word a two months ago that Bethesda was going to announce this in May. Well, it's May and guess what was just announced?

Yes, Bethesda is getting into the MMO realm and looking to bring The Elder Scrolls Online, a game they've been working on for several years. Details are scarce in the announcement, but check out June's Game Informer magazine.

My first reaction was not another MMO. And that seems to be the same reaction from a few folks I've talked to. Still, Elder Scrolls is a big franchise and they might be able to do well here.

Hopefully, we'll be able to get a glimpse of it at E3 to see what Bethesda has to offer in the MMO arena.

BETHESDA SOFTWORKS ANNOUNCES
THE ELDER SCROLLS ONLINE

ZeniMax Online Studios Takes Award-Winning Elder Scrolls Franchise Online In Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game

May 3, 2012 (Rockville, MD) – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced The Elder Scrolls® Online, an MMO in development at ZeniMax Online Studios. The Elder Scrolls Online will be the first Elder Scrolls game to allow gamers to explore the legendary Elder Scrolls world with others.

The Elder Scrolls Online is being developed for PC and Mac under the leadership of industry veteran Matt Firor, who has spent the last two decades working in online game development. Details about the game are revealed in an exclusive cover story in Game Informer®’s June issue, which ships to subscribers and newsstands this month.

“We have been working hard to create an online world in which players will be able to experience the epic Elder Scrolls universe with their friends, something fans have long said they wanted,” said Matt Firor, game director of The Elder Scrolls Online. “It will be extremely rewarding finally to unveil what we have been developing the last several years. The entire team is committed to creating the best MMO ever made – and one that is worthy of The Elder Scrolls franchise.”

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim® is the most recent title set in the award-winning Elder Scrolls universe. Skyrim, developed by Bethesda Game Studios, was released in November 2011 and enjoyed worldwide critical and commercial success. Skyrim earned hundreds of ‘Game of the Year’ awards, including top honors at the 2012 Game Developers Choice Awards, the 15th Annual 2012 Interactive Achievement Awards held at the 2012 D.I.C.E. Summit, and at the 2011 Video Game Awards. Internationally, Skyrim shipped over 10 million units within the first month of its release, was the second highest grossing title in the industry last year, and is the fastest selling title in Steam’s history.

The Elder Scrolls Online will be featured on magazine covers across Europe and in online stories in the coming months which will provide gamers with more information about this exciting title.

The Elder Scrolls Online has not yet been rated by the ESRB.