The Elder Scrolls

The Elder Scrolls
The Elder Scrolls
Genre(s)	Action role-playing
Developer(s)	Primary; Bethesda Softworks (1994–1998); Bethesda Game Studios (2002–present); Other; Vir2L Studios (2003–2004); TKO Software (2004); ZeniMax Online Studios (2014); Dire Wolf Digital (2017);
Publisher(s)	Primary; Bethesda Softworks (1994–present); 2K Games (Oblivion only); Other; Vir2L Studios (2003–2004); Nokia (2004);
Platform(s)	Android; iOS; J2ME; macOS; Microsoft Windows; MS-DOS; N-Gage; Nintendo Switch; PlayStation 3; PlayStation 4; PlayStation 5; Stadia; Xbox; Xbox 360; Xbox One; Xbox Series X/S;
First release	The Elder Scrolls: Arena; March 25, 1994
Latest release	The Elder Scrolls: Castles; September 28, 2023

The Elder Scrolls is a series of action role-playing video games primarily developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. The series focuses on free-form gameplay in an open world. Most games in the series have been critically and commercially successful, with The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (2002), The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006) and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) all winning Game of the Year awards from multiple outlets. The series has sold more than 59 million copies worldwide.^[a]

Within the series' fictional universe, each game takes place on the continent of Tamriel. The setting combines pre-medieval real-world elements, such as a powerful Roman-like Empire, with high fantasy medieval themes, including limited technology, widespread magic use, and the existence of many mythological creatures. The continent is split into a number of provinces inhabited by humans and humanoid fantasy races such as elves, orcs and anthropomorphic animals. A common theme in the lore is that a chosen hero (represented by the player's character) rises to defeat an impending threat, typically a malevolent being or an antagonistic army.

Since debuting with The Elder Scrolls: Arena in 1994, the series has produced a total of five main games (of which the last three have each featured two or three expansions) as well as several spin-offs.^[7] In 2014, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, The Elder Scrolls Online, was released by Bethesda's affiliated ZeniMax subsidiary ZeniMax Online Studios.

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Gussin, Lawrence (November 1996). "The consumer title publishing business". CD-ROM Professional. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024 – via Gale Research.
^ Manveer "Eidolon" Heir (July 18, 2000). "Interview with Pete Hines". Archived from the original on August 15, 2000. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
^ "Lynda Carter Joins the Voice Cast of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion". Bethesda Softworks. August 17, 2005. Archived from the original on July 10, 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2006.
^ Kollar, Philip (November 10, 2015). "Fallout 4 could be a bigger hit than Skyrim". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on November 13, 2015. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
^ "'Skyrim' Creator Todd Howard Talks Switch, VR and Elder Scrolls Wait". Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
^ Hines, Pete [@DCDeacon] (January 10, 2020). "More than 15 million people have bought ESO" (Tweet). Retrieved January 10, 2020 – via Twitter.)
^ The evolution of The Elder Scrolls. Archived December 1, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. PC Gamer.

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[Arena_sales-1] Gussin, Lawrence (November 1996). "The consumer title publishing business". CD-ROM Professional. Archived from the original on July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024 – via Gale Research.

[2] Manveer "Eidolon" Heir (July 18, 2000). "Interview with Pete Hines". Archived from the original on August 15, 2000. Retrieved February 17, 2023.

[3] "Lynda Carter Joins the Voice Cast of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion". Bethesda Softworks. August 17, 2005. Archived from the original on July 10, 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2006.

[4] Kollar, Philip (November 10, 2015). "Fallout 4 could be a bigger hit than Skyrim". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on November 13, 2015. Retrieved November 13, 2015.

[5] "'Skyrim' Creator Todd Howard Talks Switch, VR and Elder Scrolls Wait". Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2017.

[6] Hines, Pete [@DCDeacon] (January 10, 2020). "More than 15 million people have bought ESO" (Tweet). Retrieved January 10, 2020 – via Twitter.)

[evolution-8] The evolution of The Elder Scrolls. Archived December 1, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. PC Gamer.

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