2K Games Announces Co-Publishing Agreement For The Elder Scrolls® IV: Oblivion™
New York, NY - February 3, 2005 - 2K Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO) today announced a co-publishing agreement between Take-Two Interactive Software and Bethesda Softworks LLC, a ZeniMax Media company, granting Take-Two co-publishing, sales and distribution rights to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, the sequel to the best-selling and critically acclaimed The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind®. Bethesda Softworks will continue to direct the development of the title and retains all future rights to the franchise.
"We are thrilled to be working as co-publisher with Bethesda Softworks to help maximize sales of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion," said Christoph Hartmann, Senior Vice President of Publishing for 2K Games. "Being selected by Bethesda to work on a title that is as highly anticipated by both PC and console gamers worldwide as Oblivion is a testament to 2K Games' capabilities in successfully managing AAA titles."
"As a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive, 2K Games has the benefit of a worldwide, industry-leading sales and distribution network, and Take-Two's proven track record of releasing great games," said Vlatko Andonov, President of Bethesda Softworks. "Through this partnership, Oblivion will reach the largest audience possible."
Oblivion is the fourth title in the best-selling Elder Scrolls series, and brings the RPG genre to new heights with its combination of freeform gameplay and cutting-edge graphics. Oblivion features a 3D engine that can render stunningly realistic environments, groundbreaking AI for all characters in the game, and the same open-ended gameplay style that has made The Elder Scrolls one of the most critically acclaimed franchises of all-time.
Since its unveiling in fall 2004, Oblivion has become one of the most talked about games of 2005, with two major North American magazine cover stories to date, and has been recognized as among the most anticipated games of the year by numerous web sites and magazines.
2K Games will co-publish The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion on PC and a next-generation console system. For more information on Oblivion visit www.elderscrolls.com.
In a separate agreement with Bethesda, 2K Games will co-publish Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the EarthTM, a first-person horror game that combines intense action and adventure elements. It is based on the works of fiction writer, H.P. Lovecraft, and has won a number of awards including being named one of the Best Games at E3. For more information about Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth visit www.callofcthulhu.com.