10 Million Copies Of 'Game of the Year' Winner The Elder Scrolls® V: Skyrim™ Shipped

ROCKVILLE, Maryland, December 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Sales and Numerous 'Game of the Year' Awards Underscore Worldwide Popularity

ZeniMax® Media Inc. today announced that 10 million units of Bethesda Softworks'® The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim have been shipped for the Xbox 360®video game entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and PC, representing approximately $650 million in retail sales since its release on November 11. The PC version of Skyrim in North America outsold all other PC games by a factor of over three to one in the first month of its release. Large retail reorders across all platforms and record-breaking digital sales reflect the ongoing global demand by consumers excited to explore this extraordinary fantasy epic.

Bethesda Softworks'® Skyrim has already garnered over two dozen 'Game of the Year' awards from major outlets worldwide, including winning the top honor of Game of the Year at the 2011 Video Game Awards which are voted on by a panel of editors from the industry's most respected magazines and websites. In addition, Skyrim has received 'Game of the Year' awards from numerous other game critics, which, to date include such respected media outlets as G4TV, Official Xbox Magazine and Machinima.com. Skyrim was named 'Most -Played Game of 2011' by Raptr, based on research data which confirms its highly popular gameplay experience. 

"We are gratified that Skyrim continues to garner high review scores and accolades around the world," said Robert Altman, Chairman and CEO of ZeniMax Media. "We are most grateful to our fans for their support and enthusiasm for the game, and their love of the hundreds of hours of gameplay it offers. We continue to strive to deliver the highest quality entertainment experience for everyone. 2012 will be another huge year for our fans, with the release of the Creation Kit, as well as exciting DLC which will add to the richness of this epic adventure."

"Skyrim is the fastest selling title in Steam's history," said Jason Holtman, Director of Business Development at Valve Corporation. "Bethesda's commitment to and understanding of the PC as a gaming platform shows in the great review scores, spectacular launch, and continued high player numbers that Skyrim has received.  We are delighted that Bethesda chose to use Steamworks to support Skyrim both at retail and digitally."

Skyrim Is the third consecutive game developed by the team at Bethesda Game Studios® to earn 'Game of the Year' honors.  Bethesda Game Studios, which was named 'Studio of the Year' at the 2011 Video Game Awards, also created the 2006 'Game of the Year', The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion®, and the 2008 'Game of the Year', Fallout® 3.

To date, Skyrim has received well over 200 perfect review scores worldwide, earning the highest praise from some of the industry's most influential critics including: USA Today, G4TV, The New York Times, GameSpy, Wired, Eurogamer, Destructoid, GamePro, Official Xbox Magazine, Joystiq, The Guardian, Famitsu and GamesRadar. G4TV describes Skyrim as "one of the greatest games ever" and Eurogamer was one of many outlets to call it a "masterpiece."

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has been rated M for Mature by ESRB. For more information on Skyrim visit http://elderscrolls.com.

About ZeniMax Media Inc.

ZeniMax Media is a privately owned media organization headquartered outside Washington DC with international offices in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Eindhoven, and Tokyo. Through its subsidiaries, ZeniMax Media creates and publishes original interactive entertainment content for consoles, the PC, and handheld/wireless devices.  ZeniMax Media divisions include Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, Arkane Studios, Tango Gameworks, MachineGames Sweden, ZeniMax Europe Ltd., ZeniMax Asia K.K. and ZeniMax Online Studios.   For more information on ZeniMax Media, visit http://www.zenimax.com.

About Bethesda Softworks

Bethesda Softworks, part of the ZeniMax Media Inc. family of companies, is a worldwide publisher of premier interactive entertainment software. Titles featured under the Bethesda label include such blockbuster franchises as DOOM®, QUAKE®, The Elder Scrolls®, Fallout®,Wolfenstein®  and RAGE®.  Among the world's top development studios creating titles for ZeniMax are Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, Arkane Studios, MachineGames Sweden, Tango Gameworks and ZeniMax Online Studios. For more information on Bethesda Softworks' products, visit http://www.bethsoft.com.   

About Bethesda Game Studios

Bethesda Game Studios is the award-winning development studio known around the world for its groundbreaking work on The Elder Scrolls series. Creators of the 2006 Game of the Year, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion®, and 2008 Game of the Year, Fallout® 3, Bethesda Game Studios has earned its reputation as one of the industry's most respected and accomplished game development studios. Bethesda Game Studios' latest game, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, released on 11.11.11. Skyrim earned numerous nominations and awards at this year's E3, including being named 'Best Console Game' and 'Best RPG' by the official Game Critics Awards and has been awarded more than 200 perfect review scores. For more information on Bethesda Game Studios, visit http://bgs.bethsoft.com.

The Elder Scrolls, Skyrim, Oblivion, Bethesda Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda, ZeniMax and their related logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of ZeniMax Media Inc. in the United States and/or in other countries. Fallout is a registered trademark or trademark of Bethesda Softworks LLC in the United States and/or in other countries.  DOOM, QUAKE, Wolfenstein  and RAGE are registered trademarks or trademarks of id Software LLC in the United States and/or in other countries. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox Live logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Other product and company names referenced herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved.