Bethesda Softworks ha annunciato che il proprio RPG campione di incassi, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, andrà a completare la lineup dei titoli presenti al lancio della Playstation 3 sul mercato statunitense. Sarà inoltre presente nella versione localizzata al lancio europeo previsto per la prossima primavera.

Quello che inizialmente si pensava essere il solito fake-rumor inventato ad arte da qualche buontempone, ha insomma trovato conferma nelle parole del capo sviluppatore e in una press ufficiale della software house.

Di seguito riportiamo il comunicato ufficiale:
September 28, 2006 (Rockville, MD) -- Bethesda Softworks® announced today that its blockbuster role-playing game, The Elder Scrolls® IV: Oblivion™ will be a launch title for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system this November in North America, and next March in Europe when the new console is expected to be released there. In addition, The Elder Scrolls® Travels: Oblivion™ will be released on the PSP®(PlayStation®Portable) system in the Spring 2007 in North America and Europe.

Both the PLAYSTATION 3 and PSP system titles will be published exclusively in North America by Bethesda Softworks, while in Europe, Ubisoft will serve as co-publisher. Complete details on both games are available in Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine's (OPM) exclusive cover story (November issue), which hits newsstands Oct. 10. In its article OPM previews the gameplay, graphics, and new content in Oblivion and concludes: "If any game is worth the price of the PS3, Oblivion is it."

Released in March for Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows, Oblivion has already earned high praises and awards from publications around the world. Official Xbox Magazine (US) gave Oblivion a 9.5 out of 10 and an Editor’s Choice award, calling Oblivion "An Absolute Masterpiece." G4 TV named it the Best Game of 2006, and PC Gamer (UK) ranked Oblivion #1 on its list of the Top 100 PC games of all time.

Metracritic.com lists Oblivion as the highest rated game of all time on Xbox 360. Oblivion has also been nominated for numerous awards in upcoming events, including the Golden Joystick Awards (five nominations) and The British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards (five nominations).

"We're very excited to be able to bring a game like Oblivion out for launch for the PLAYSTATION 3," said Bethesda Softworks president, Vlatko Andonov. “Oblivion's countless awards and commercial success to date make it clear that PLAYSTATION 3 owners are in for a real treat this November."

Oblivion features a powerful combination of free-form gameplay, unprecedented graphics, cutting edge AI, character voices by acting legends Patrick Stewart, Sean Bean, Terrance Stamp, and Lynda Carter, and an award-winning soundtrack. Gamers can choose to unravel Oblivion's epic narrative at their own pace or explore the vast world in search of their own unique challenges.

After the mysterious and untimely death of the Emperor, the throne of Tamriel lies empty. With the Empire ready to crumble, the gates of Oblivion open and demons march upon the land -- laying waste to everything in their path. To turn the tide of darkness, you must find the lost heir to the throne and unravel the sinister plot that threatens to destroy all of Tamriel.