X05 Oblivion previews

Gamespot, Short interview w/ Pete Hines
(Windows Media .wmv, 29.6 mb, registration required)

Pete being interviewed at X05. He gives a short summary of what the game is all about, what the story will be and speaks about the game in general. The viewer also gets a glimpse of the cell where the player will begin the game. Further, Pete mentions that they are aiming to make Oblivion a day one launch title for the X-Box 360.

PlayerOne Gameplay video with Rats, XBox version (shadows not enabled!)
(Windows Media .wmv, 11.65 mb)

Some gameplay footage straight from X05. The player runs around in what appears to be the character creation dungeon in the very beginning of the game. A few rats can be seen in the video, as well as a lonely Zombie. Apparently, the two species aren't that fond of each other either. The player moves through the dungeon in this 67 seconds long clip, fighting off the encountered foes with fireballs and some good old hand-to-hand combat.

MSXBox World - Interview with Pete Hines and some gameplay footage.
(Windows Media .wmv, 21.04 mb)

A 26 minute long interview with Pete Hines. During the clip a lot of topics are discussed. These include; the compass, "dumbing down" the game, fast travel, the Radiant AI and the AI "goals" for the NPCs, vampires and the character creation dungeon where the player's journey will begin. Other points of interest that are brought are how you can buy decorations for your house, how a high mercantile skill will allow you to invest in stores and that during some quests you will have a companion, following your lead and fighting by your side if necessary. Pete also sheds some light on the subject of what type of downloadable content will be available for the X-Box 360 version after the release. This content will be, among other things, horse armor and holidays that are celebrated in the game.

Further, a statistics list/page will apparently be in the game. This will show the current progress and achievements you have made in the game.

There is also some talk about what you have to do to join two of the guilds. To receive an invitation to the Thieves' Guild, you will have to commit a crime of a certain nature, ie theft, and be thrown in jail. After this, you will probably be offered an invitation to the guild. Such will the joining ritual for the Dark Brotherhood be as well, basically. Only thing that would seem to be different is that you'll have to kill an NPC and be caught. Jail-visit behind, you should get an invitation to the Brotherhood.