The next installment of Bethesda’s long-running Elder Scrolls series was designed as a mobile game, the company said today during its E3 press conference. Elder Scrolls Blades is a first-person role-playing game for Android and iOS that will feature console-quality graphics and a variety of combat styles. The Elder Scrolls: Blades casts you as the member of the Blades, described by Bethesda’s Todd Howard as “the empire’s top agents,” who returns home to find that it has been destroyed. The story unfolds as you are forced into exile, and you’ll explore both “hand-crafted” and procedurally designed dungeons, Howard said. You’ll be able to play Blades by tapping or using virtual dual sticks. Combat includes standard melee attacks, ranged attacks, and magical spells. Unusually for an RPG, you’ll also be able to play Blades in portrait mode on your phone. In addition to leveling up your character and enhancing their abilities, you’ll also be able to play a “town-building” mode that lets you create a virtual city. While it’s coming first to phones, Blades will eventually be available for PCs, consoles, and virtual reality devices, Howard said. The game will be a free download for iOS and Android later this fall, but you will be able to preorder it starting later tonight at playblades.com. (The site was not yet live at time of publication.)<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up forfor the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks Elder Scrolls Blades will be a free download and will be available on a lot of devices. A list hasn’t been confirmed, but Bethesda did confirm they want it on as many mobile phones as possible. When it comes to gameplay, fans will be able to customise their character, fight in combat and build settlements. “We've brought the beauty of an Elder Scrolls game to mobile,” Bethesda boasts in a message. “The Elder Scrolls: Blades provides a massive first-person RPG experience you can play on your phone during those "important meetings”. More is expected to be announced on the game that will be coming to both Android and iOS. Bethesda also went to great lengths to confirm that you will be able to play the game in portrait mode, if that is what you’re looking for.<doc-sep>During its E3 conference last night, Bethesda Game Studios revealed that a new game in the Elder Scrolls series is coming to iOS and Android devices this fall, called The Elder Scrolls: Blades [Direct Link] (via TouchArcade). Bethesda describes Blades as a free-to-play title, but the developer didn't give any further details about potential in-app purchases. In terms of story, players will take on the role of a member of the ancient order of the Blades, tasked with rebuilding and restoring their ramshackle hometown to its former glory after being exiled from the order. Bethesda says the mobile game "contains the many hallmarks" of the series that fans know of: ...beautifully rendered, console-quality environments, powerful magic, tons of gear to collect, upgradeable skills and of course, real-time fantasy battles! Like other Elder Scrolls games, Blades is first person and fights are controlled by using the touchscreen to slash your sword, deflect, cast spells, and more. A fighting Arena features one-on-one combat with other players in real time, and an infinite, roguelike Abyss mode hides treasures in a never-ending dungeon. The single-player campaign takes players through the town rebuilding process, where they will be able to customize the city to their liking as it expands and even visit their friends' towns. In every mode, Blades supports both two-handed landscape and a one-handed portrait setup, and to switch between each all you have to do is rotate the iPhone or iPad. During the company's press conference, Bethesda Games Studios director Todd Howard showed a video of the game running on an iPhone X. play Those interested have until June 15 to pre-register for a chance to be part of the game's early access program. Otherwise, Bethesda says that The Elder Scrolls: Blades will launch to the public sometime later this year. Although it's launching first on smartphones and tablets, Howard says that Blades will eventually be available on PC and console. On the iOS App Store, Apple has featured The Elder Scrolls: Blades today in a sneak peek article, where users can also pre-order the game [Direct Link] with an expected release date of September 1, 2018. A few other iOS gaming announcements have been made at E3 this year, one including a mash-up of the Gears of War franchise and Funko Pop toys called Gears Pop.<doc-sep>
The Elder Scrolls Blades is a new, free-to-play mobile game, set to be launched this fall. Bethesda’s Todd Howard introduced the game tonight, describing it as “a pure Elder Scrolls game” and “a massive first-person RPG with console quality graphics.” It features touch-screen combat in crafted and procedurally generated dungeons, as well as outdoor arenas. Players can battle enemies in melee as well as using range abilities and spells. Leveling up and character creation is also part of the game. The mobile game can be played in portrait mode as well as landscape. Howard says he wants The Elder Scrolls Blades to be released on many platforms, including consoles and VR. Players will be able to play across platforms. The Elder Scrolls Blades will feature several modes. The Abyss is a roguelike in which players fight for as long as they can. Arena features one-on-one battles against other players. The Town is a hub for story and quests. The Blades are the empire’s top agents forced into exile, according to Howard. The Town is destroyed. A building mode allows players to rebuild, upgrading and decorating individual elements. In turn, this unlocks new NPCs and quests. Players can also visit their friends’ towns. The Elder Scrolls is Bethesda’s successful. long-running role-playing franchise. This announcement comes three years after the company launched Fallout Shelter, a mobile game for Fallout, making this Bethesda’s second foray into games for mobile platforms. The Elder Scrolls Blades is playable at E3. We’ll have more impressions from the showfloor.