Zenimax and Bethesda execs are no doubt smiling following today’s press release that their latest title, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, has shipped over seven million units for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC and managed to sell over half the launch units in the first 48 hours. Skyrim’s launch units are expected to generate more than $450 million globally in retail sales.

Despite Steam’s recent security woes, the game’s popularity made it the number one played game with a bullet over the weekend as Valve recorded more than 280,000 concurrent Skyrim users. Skyrim’s high numbers don’t insulate it from problems however. Some players have been plagued by a few issues that Bethesda is actively working to resolve.

If you’re on the fence about giving the game a try, check out our Skyrim review for the Xbox 360 to find out what you're missing and maybe even find out a few things that MMORPGs could learn from the title to improve their gameplay experience.

ZENIMAX MEDIA ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF THE ELDER SCROLLS® V: SKYRIMTM

With More Than 50 Perfect Review Scores, Seven Million Copies Hit Retail Shelves Worldwide

November 16, 2011 (London, UK) –ZeniMax® Media Inc. today announced that Bethesda Softworks’®award-winning title, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, has enjoyed an enthusiastic reception by gamers across the globe. After shipping seven million units of Skyrim for the Xbox 360®video game entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and PC, Skyrim’s launch units are expected to generate more than $450 million in global retail sales.

With tens of thousands of fans lining up at retail outlets at midnight on 11/11/11 to purchase the game, Skyrimcontinued to record strong sales following its release. More than 50% of launch units were sold in the first 48 hours and Bethesda Softworks has been receiving large reorders from major retailers in North America, and across Europe and Australia. Online activity has been notable, with Steam reporting that in the first 24 hours of its release, Skyrimset a record with over 280,000 concurrent players, far outdistancing all other titles.

“We are grateful for the fans’ response to Skyrim,” said Robert Altman, Chairman and CEO of ZeniMax Media. “Todd Howard and his team at Bethesda Game Studios have crafted a very special game. Anticipation forSkyrimhas surpassed any game in our company’s history, and we are pleased that sales and reviews have reflected the quality and hours of amazing gameplay it provides.”

The eagerly-awaited title has garnered more than 50 perfect review scores, earning praise from some of the industry’s most influential and respected critics including: USA Today, G4TV, GameSpy, Wired, Eurogamer, Destructoid, GamePro, Official Xbox Magazine, Joystiq, The Guardian, and GamesRadar. G4TV describes Skyrimas “one of the greatest games ever made” and Eurogamer was one of many outlets to call it a “masterpiece.”

“Without a doubt, this has been our most ambitious project ever,” said Todd Howard, Game Director on Skyrim. “After over three years of development, we’re finally excited to get it into everyone’s hands.”

Developed by Bethesda Game Studios®, the makers of the 2006 Game of the Year, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion®, and 2008 Game of the Year,Fallout® 3, Skyrimreimagines and revolutionizes the open-world fantasy epic, bringing to life a complete virtual world for you to explore any way you choose.

For more information on Skyrimvisit http://elderscrolls.com.

About ZeniMax Media Inc.

ZeniMax Media is a privately owned media organization headquartered outside Washington DC with international offices in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Eindhoven, and Tokyo. Through its subsidiaries, ZeniMax Media creates and publishes original interactive entertainment content for consoles, the PC, and handheld/wireless devices. ZeniMax Media divisions include Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, Arkane Studios, Tango Gameworks, MachineGames Sweden, ZeniMax Europe Ltd., ZeniMax Asia K.K. and ZeniMax Online Studios. For more information on ZeniMax Media, visit www.zenimax.com.

About Bethesda Softworks

Bethesda Softworks, part of the ZeniMax Media Inc. family of companies, is a worldwide publisher of premier interactive entertainment software. Titles featured under the Bethesda label include such blockbuster franchises asDOOM®, QUAKE®, The Elder Scrolls®, Fallout®, Wolfenstein® and RAGE®. Among the world’s top development studios creating titles for ZeniMax are Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, Arkane Studios, MachineGames Sweden, Tango Gameworks and ZeniMax Online Studios. For more information on Bethesda Softworks’ products, visit www.bethsoft.com.

About Bethesda Game Studios

Bethesda Game Studios is the award-winning development studio known around the world for its groundbreaking work on The Elder Scrolls series. Creators of the 2006 Game of the Year, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion®, and 2008 Game of the Year, Fallout® 3, Bethesda Game Studios has earned its reputation as one of the industry's most respected and accomplished game development studios. Bethesda Game Studios’ latest game, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, released on 11.11.11. Skyrim earned numerous nominations and awards at this year's E3, including being named 'Best Console Game' and ‘Best RPG’ by the official Game Critics Awards and has been awarded more than 50 perfect review scores. For more information on Bethesda Game Studios, visit http://bgs.bethsoft.com.

The Elder Scrolls, Skyrim, Oblivion, Bethesda Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda, ZeniMax and their related logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of ZeniMax Media Inc. in the United States and/or in other countries. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox Live logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Other product and company names referenced herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved.