I don’t think there was ever any question about whether or not Bethesda would release a Collector’s Edition of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. I think the question was more along the lines of “what sort of must-have goodies will be packed in the box?”
Well, thanks to an official statement from Bethesda, we have our answer. Check out the photo and the press release below.
August 5, 2011 (Rockville, MD) – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced that it will release a collector’s edition for the highly-anticipated The Elder Scrolls® V: Skyrim™. The limited collector’s edition will be available for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Games for Windows and can be pre-ordered now through participating retailers in both North America, Europe and Australia.
In addition to including the highly-anticipated game, this premium version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim also includes:
Alduin Statue. Created in conjunction with the IP Factory, this collector’s only statue stands 12” tall and is made of high quality PVC. Modeled from actual in-game 3D digital files, it showcases Alduin, the World Eater. He stands perched atop one the game’s many dragon walls that teach the player the lethal language of dragons.
‘The Art of Skyrim’ Official Art Book. Featuring over 200 pages of striking, full-color illustrations, sketches and models, this stunning 9 3/8” x 12 1/8” coffee table book showcases the characters, creatures, environments, and weaponry of Skyrim. With a foreword by game director Todd Howard and commentary from Bethesda Game Studios artists, readers will be guided through the game’s iconic visual style.
‘The Making of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’ DVD. This documentary DVD contains exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage, including interviews with the Bethesda Game Studios team as they take you from concept to creation and provide insights into the story, gameplay, setting, legacy of the Elder Scrolls franchise, and much more.
“We always say that we make the games we want to play. We can also say we create the collector’s editions we’d want to own,” said Pete Hines, VP of PR and Marketing for Bethesda Softworks. “We all want one of these!”
The extremely limited Collector’s Edition will be available through pre-order and retails for $149.99 (US), €149.99 (Europe), £129.99 (UK), and A$199.99 (Australia).
Developed by Bethesda Game Studios, the makers of the 2006 and 2008 Games of the Year, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim reimagines and revolutionizes the open-world fantasy epic, bringing to life a complete virtual world open for you to explore any way you choose. Skyrim, which will be available worldwide on November 11, 2011, has already won numerous awards including Best Console Game and Best RPG from the official Game Critics Awards at E3 2011 and Wired.com believes it will be “one of the most sprawling, almost impossibly detailed game worlds ever created.”
I’ll admit, it’s awfully damned pretty. I find it interesting that the press release makes no mention of the cloth map that was mentioned at QuakeCon and which is clearly visible in the photo. Yes, you’re getting that, too.