Bethesda's Oblivion Gets Game of the Year Treatment

Publisher/developer Bethesda has revealed plans to release The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition, a newly repackaged version of its popular role-playing epic including the core game along with its two previously released expansions, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC this September. While PC and Xbox 360 owners have had access to the Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles expansions since they were released in November and March respectively, this upcoming special edition will mark the first time the content will be available on the PlayStation 3. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was first released for Sony's console in March. In addition, this retail release will make both expansions available for the first time to those Xbox 360 users who have been either unwilling or unable to access the content through the console's Xbox Live Marketplace. Bethesda officials also note that The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition will function just as other previous versions, allowing players to continue any existing games of Oblivion while experiencing the package's new content. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has proven to be a touchstone for Bethesda, with the company revealing earlier this year that, after its release in March 2006 for Xbox 360 and Windows, Oblivion sold more than three million copies in 2006. While offing considerable content on its own, Shivering Isles features more than 30 hours of new gameplay and allows you to explore an entirely new plane of Oblivion – the realm of Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness. In addition, Knights of the Nine introduces a new faction and a collection of new quests and powerful relics.