Bethesda Softworks

For Immediate Release

Bethesda Softworks(tm) Announces Sea Dogs(tm) for the PC

RPG-at-Sea Promises to Deliver Real Sailing, "Pirate" Action, and Nonlinear Gameplay

March 27, 2000 (Rockville, MD) -- Bethesda Softworks today announced Sea Dogs, an epic role-playing game at sea created by Russian game developer, Akella. Sea Dogs is set in the age of sail during the 16th century and features a highly detailed 3D world with unbounded gameplay and unending adventure. Sea Dogs will sail into stores in October 2000.

Players begin with a simple ship and small crew and set out to capture the islands for England, Spain, France, or themselves. You can faithfully serve one country or change sides at any time, so long as you are willing to pay the price to do so. Players explore a huge, incredibly detailed worth filled with dangers, treasures, and opportunities galore. Make your way through the islands as you trade, hire men, accept quests, follow rumors, sink ships, capture forts, and much, much more. The best part is, you decide how to play. Follow the storyline of the game or sail off on your own to make your way through the game.

"We wanted to allow the player to experience the game any way they wanted," said Dmitry Arkhipov, lead designer for Sea Dogs. "If you want to follow a more structured storyline, you can do that. But you can also sail off on your own and do whatever you want any time you want. We felt that was essential in creating the kind of 'pirate' game that people have wanted for so long."

Towns serve as focal points in the game, allowing you to repair, re-supply, and upgrade your ship, pick up new crewmembers, look for work, or simply listen to rumors. Sail the seas looking for ships to fight to test you battle skills or make your fortune as a trader. Through wealth or combat, you can obtain additional ships and begin building a fleet under your command.

You decide which NPCs to hire as captains for your ships as well as their crews and supplies. Send your ships to attack and defend other locations or have them work with you to complete missions, such as attacking and capturing other ships or forts. Players can customize their fleets by selecting from a variety of different ships, cannons, and shot types. Purchase a new battleship loaded with the best cannons available for lots of combat, or choose a small skip for trading goods and outrunning the enemy.

Sea Dogs offers high-resolution 3D graphics with realistic water effects, beautiful landscapes, detailed towns and forts, and effects for weather and day and night. Small details like sea foam, wakes, billowing sails, and translucent water add to the authentic feel. In addition, wind and weather effect how your ship sails and can leave you sitting dead in the water or crashing into shallow shoals.

"We knew it had been years since someone had done a truly immersive, entertaining pirate-style game," said Vlatko Andonov, president of Bethesda Softworks. "When we saw Sea Dogs, we knew it was a great opportunity to finally create a game of this type that could deliver on every front."

Bethesda Softworks, "Sea Dogs", and "The Elder Scrolls" are registered trademarks of ZeniMax Media Inc. All rights reserved. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.