2006 was a huge year for Bethesda Softworks as they released their best selling fantasy RPG Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. This spring a full fledged expansion pack, Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles will be released as a PC retail product and as a downloadable expansion for Xbox 360 owners. FiringSquad got a chance to chat with the expansion's lead designer Mark Nelson to find out more about their plans for Shivering Isles.

FiringSquad: First, when did development of Shivering Isles actually begin? Did id start right after Oblivion was released?

Mark Nelson: Yes. We started the development right after we released Oblivion.

FiringSquad: How hard was it to create a new land for the expansion when the original game was already so big?

Mark Nelson: Creating a space that big is always challenging, as you don't want to create a world that's big and empty. The world needs to be filled with things to see and do. That's what Elder Scrolls games are known for, though -- huge, open worlds that give the player room to explore.

FiringSquad: Will the art style of Shivering Isles be radically different than the original game?

Mark Nelson: Absolutely. We always want the player to know that he's playing in the expansion material. The Shivering Isles has a very different feel. It's much less of a traditional medieval fantasy look, and has more of an exotic feel.

FiringSquad: What sort of new character options will the player have when creating a new character for Shivering Isles?

Mark Nelson: The character creation system from the base game hasn't changed for the expansion. Still, there are tons of new clothing, armor, and weapon options in the expansion to allow the player to further customize his character.

FiringSquad: What are the dev team's favorite new monsters in the expansion?

Mark Nelson: There are so many, it's hard to choose. The Scalon is one of my new favorites. They're large, hulking, amphibious creatures that can really startle you. It doesn't hurt that they have the ability to become invisible when they are about to jump out and attack.

FiringSquad: What other content and gameplay elements have been added to Shivering Isles?

Mark Nelson: There are a ton of new quests for the player to experience in the Shivering Isles. In addition to the main quest, there are a bunch of miscellaneous quests spread throughout the world. I'm very proud of the quests. I think they're among the most expansive, interesting quests that have ever appeared in an Elder Scrolls game.

FiringSquad: The decision was made to distribute the expansion via Xbox Live for Xbox 360 owners, rather than a retail expansion. Why was this decision made?

Mark Nelson: Right now, a retail expansion isn’t an option on the 360. We’ve talked to Microsoft about it, and continue to do so, but our ability to do that isn’t up to us at this point. Certainly it’s an option we’d like to have, as you tend to sell more games when you make it available in as many places as possible.

FiringSquad: Will there also continue to be smaller content updates for the game or has that program now ended?

Mark Nelson: We're considering a couple more right now, but past that, we have no definite plans.

FiringSquad: If Shivering Isles is successful will there be more expansion packs for Elder Scrolls IV or is the team moving on to other projects?

Mark Nelson: Currently, we have no plans to release another expansion to Oblivion.

FiringSquad: Finally is there anything else that you wish to say about Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles?

Mark Nelson: We're very excited about the Shivering Isles expansion, as we feel it really represents the best of what Oblivion has to offer. As always, I’d like to thank our fans for the support they’ve given to us over the years, and for their support of Oblivion. They are a passionate group, and we don't always see eye-to-eye, but we listen to what they say, and we try to respond to them as best we can. Hopefully, this expansion will bring them many hours of enjoyment as they explore the world of the Shivering Isles.

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