PS3 Oblivion will lack downloadable content; Shivering Isles is last expansion

Bethesda wasn't given enough information to adapt expansions in time

February 27, 2007

One of the benefits of the new online paradigms employed by modern game consoles is the capacity for downloadable content. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has taken advantage of this on the Xbox 360 platform, but according to Bethesda VP Peter Hines, the PS3 version of the game will initially lack these extras.

According to Hines, Bethesda is having trouble adapting the game to accept additional content from the PS3 Online service. He points out that Sony didn't give enough information about the online service to developers.

The Xbox 360 version of the game includes support for multiple downloads that can be purchased over Xbox Live. The content, which is purchased, includes the Knights of the Nine expansion pack, as well as smaller extras including horse armor and player-owned real estate. The next expansion, Shivering Isles, is also set to be released on Xbox Live.

Bethesda is planning to implement downloadable content on the PS3 version, but can't provide any details on when that content will be released. The Oblivion development team is still working on figuring out the PS3 Online service.

The lack of downloadable content is the second bit of unfortunate news from Bethesda for PS3 owners. Peter Hines also revealled recently to IGN that the tilt functions of the PS3 SIXAXIS controller would not be used by Oblivion.

Hines also revealled in a recent interview with 360 Gamer Magazine that the upcoming Shivering Isles expansion would be the last one for Oblivion.

The PS3 version of Oblivion will be released on March 13, 2007.