Oblivion Rumors Explained


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Oblivion Rumors Explained

We get down to the bottom of the recent Oblivion rumors.

by Jeff Haynes

February 8, 2007 - When we posted our preview of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, we talked about the various improvements that had been made to the PS3 version, such as the optimized load times and enhanced graphical presentation thanks to new pixel shaders that displayed sharper details. We also pointed out that while the Knights of the Nine side quest would be included, other downloadable content would not initially be included in the game. Needless to say, this information spawned a host of rumors on the boards and across the Internet. To separate the fact from the fiction about Oblivion on the PS3, we went directly to Pete Hines, the VP of Public Relations and Marketing at Bethesda Softworks for the true details behind the game.

Rumors were rampant about the reasons behind the lack of downloadable content. Other websites have reported that the justification behind the missing missions and features was due to technical limitations of the console. According to Hines, nothing could be farther from the truth. There were two specific reasons behind why items like the Orrery and Mehrunes's Razor will not be included within the PS3 version of the game. First of all, there was a concern about the balancing of the game and initially giving players access to a thieves den or a wizard's tower immediately at the start of the game. "There was no good way to incorporate these features into the game as soon as it started because it didn't make sense," Hines said. While he didn't rule out the possibility of some of these side quests or features making it into the game, it wouldn't necessarily be as soon as the game hit store shelves.

In fact, the other reason why the downloadable content for the PS3 version of the game isn't included isn't solely because of the technical limitations of the system. Instead, it's because the designers haven't actually tested the PlayStation Network Store and the mechanisms for delivering content to systems. Considering that the development team has been spending a large amount of time making sure that the game transitions over to the PS3 well without the numerous bugs or glitches that plagued the PC and 360 versions of the game, working on the store was definitely a low priority on their list when it came to dedicating additional resources to that feature. But it is being worked on, and it will be coming at a later date.

So what about the shaders or optimizations? Rumors were released stating that everything in the PS3 version of the game would migrate over to the 360 or the PC, which kicked off a screaming match on boards about which version was ultimately better. According to Hines, the shader functionality that would re-render the low-res textures would inevitably make its way to the 360 build and PC in future updates. However, certain optimizations that take advantage of the system's hardware will remain exclusive to the PS3 version of the game.

We'll have more on Oblivion as it's released.

Source: http://ps3.ign.com/articles/762/762882p1.html

There I hope that clears everything up. Bottom line Oblivion will be awesome on PS3/360 and PC. :)

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Good to hear some confirmations about all this mess.

Unfortunately it does seem that the 360 won't get the loading time enhancement. But at least the visual improvement for the most part will be transfered to the 360.

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Loading times are a big factor here imo. Especially in the beginning where you're constantly running around the major city. Running in and out of houses.

I would sacrifice graphics for lesser loading times anyday. Great news all around though.

It would be cool as hell if they incorperated some sort of multiconsole mp. :D One could dream of world peace right? :p

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True but I can't imagine the speed difference is that large. I mean not unless it's a 16x DVD-ROM as opposed to the original 12x drives used in the 360.

The difference between 360 and PS3 isn't that large either. What is it, three seconds? :blink:

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The difference between 360 and PS3 isn't that large either. What is it, three seconds? :blink:

Okay, if it makes you feel better please post repeatedly how any positive news about the PS3 can't possibly be true/relevant/really matter since the 360 is better.

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Which does exactly what for the 10+ million 360's already out?

There's always a price for early adopters. Any PS1, PS2 or Nintendo owner should know this.

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Which does exactly what for the 10+ million 360's already out?
There's always a price for early adopters. Any PS1, PS2 or Nintendo owner should know this.

:yes:..... They aren't going to not upgrade their console... :no:

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:yes: ..... They aren't going to not upgrade their console... :no:

They're not... aren't going... upgrade.... my head hurts...

:p

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Exactly, Oblivion love should be shared by all! Pucker up boys.

...here comes a finger!

sorry. being on the Sony forums is a strange, new experience for me.

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