Oct 11, 2007

You heard it here first - Bethesda will release a brand new add-on for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion next week called the Fighter's Stronghold. Actually, you did hear it here first, when we interviewed head PR honcho Pete Hines in February this year.

But enough blowing our trumpet (parp!). The new and exciting news is that Bethesda will offer Xbox 360 and PC gamers the add-on for nothing! Zilch, nada, zero. So long as you download it quick, that is. Pete Hines has revealed that the Fighter's Stronghold will only be free for one week, starting Monday 15 October. So keep your eyes on the official site.

And what's in the Fighter's Stronghold? Well, a veritable smörgåsbord of castle-shaped delights, including:

• A fully detailed castle to explore
• Your own retinue: Knights of the True Horn
• Secret treasure vault
• A vintner to create special combat-enhancing wines
• A combat trainer 
• A taxidermist to create (stuff) lifelike trophies (dead stuffed beasties) for display
• An ancient Dwemer Forge, complete with Armorer benefits

You'll have to pay extra for the Forge, unfortunately. Every silver lining has a cloud, eh?

So, PS3. Pete Hines explains that Bethesda is still working on ways to bring downloadable content to PlayStation Network, though a Shivering Isles pack will be released soon. Otherwise, we've no idea if or the Fighter's Stronghold or previous content like The Vile Lair or Mehrune's Razor. Sorry.