The Elder Scrolls Online Pre-orders Begin, Cinematic Trailer

ZeniMax Online and Bethesda Softworks hit us up with a press release this afternoon announcing that pre-orders have begun for The Elder Scrolls Online and that a content-rich "Imperial Edition" is also available for those of us who enjoy physical collectibles.  But before we get into the contents of the CE and the other remaining details, let's first focus on this new "The Arrival" cinematic trailer.  It doesn't actually reveal anything about the game, sure, but I can't deny enjoying the visual entertainment:



And then we find out what the collector's edition is all about:

BETHESDA SOFTWORKS ANNOUNCES THE ELDER SCROLLS® ONLINE IMPERIAL EDITION AND OFFICIAL ONLINE STORE

Pre-Order and Pre-Purchase Bonuses Are Detailed for Latest Game in Award-Winning Franchise

January 29, 2014 (Rockville, MD) Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced that it will release The Elder Scrolls Online Imperial Edition -- a premium collector's edition for the highly-anticipated The Elder Scrolls Online. The Elder Scrolls Online Imperial Edition will be made available in digital and limited physical formats. Both standard and collector's editions are now available for pre-order through participating retailers and pre-purchase from the newly launched, online store (store.elderscrollsonline.com).

In addition to the highly-anticipated game, The Elder Scrolls Online Physical Imperial Edition includes:

'¢ Molag Bal Statue. A 12) statue featuring Molag Bal, Daedric Prince of domination and enslavement.
'¢ The Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel. A 224-page illustrated guide annotated by the Imperial scholar, Flaccus Terentius.
'¢ Physical Map of Tamriel. A 21) x 26) printed map detailing Alliance-controlled zones and the ultimate conquest: Cyrodiil.
'¢ Steelbookâ„¢ Packaging. A limited edition steel case decorated in the color of the Imperials.
'¢ Exclusive Collection of Digital Content.
  o Play as an Imperial: Become an Imperial and play in any Alliance. Gain unique bonuses, crafting styles, gear, and more.
  o White Imperial Horse: Summon this Imperial mount and journey through Tamriel with speed.
  o Mudcrab Vanity Pet: Explore Tamriel with a mudcrab pet scuttling along by your side.
  o Rings of Mara: Complete the Ritual of Mara with a friend and receive an experience bonus when you play together.

The Physical Imperial Edition is extremely limited in quantity and available for pre-order now through participating retailers for $99.99.

The Elder Scrolls Online Digital Imperial Edition includes the base game and all digital content outlined for the Physical Imperial Edition above and retails for $79.99.

All those who pre-order or pre-purchase either the Imperial Edition or the Standard Edition in physical or digital formats will also receive The Explorer's Pack bonus at launch, which includes: Scuttler vanity pet, four bonus treasure maps, and the ability to play as any of the nine races in any Alliance.

Early Access bonuses will also be offered to those pre-ordering or pre-purchasing a PC/Mac version. A five (5) day early access bonus will be offered to those who pre-purchase the Digital Imperial Edition or the Digital Standard Edition through The Elder Scrolls Online Store. Additional early access programs are also available through participating retailers.

The Elder Scrolls Online, developed by ZeniMax Online Studios, is the latest chapter of the award-winning franchise and will bring the legendary experience online for the first time. Players can choose their own style of play as they embark upon an epic adventure across all of Tamriel, playing alone on heroic quests as in previous Elder Scrolls games, exploring the huge, rich world with a few friends, or joining with hundreds of others in massive PvP battles to save the Empire.

The Elder Scrolls® Online will be available worldwide on April 4, 2014 for PC and Mac users. Versions for the PlayStation®4 system and the Xbox One® will be arriving on retail shelves in June 2014.

The Elder Scrolls Online has been rated M for Mature by the ESRB.

About ZeniMax Media Inc.
ZeniMax Media is a privately owned media organization headquartered outside Washington DC with international publishing offices in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Eindhoven, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Sydney. 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, Battlecry Studios, ZeniMax Online Studios, ZeniMax Europe Ltd., ZeniMax Asia K.K., ZeniMax Asia Pacific Limited, and ZeniMax Australia Pty Ltd. 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 interactive entertainment software. Titles featured under the Bethesda label include such blockbuster franchises as The Elder Scrolls®, DOOM®, QUAKE®, Fallout®, Wolfenstein®, Dishonored®, Prey® and RAGE®. For more information on Bethesda Softworks' products, visit www.bethsoft.com.

About ZeniMax Online Studios
ZeniMax Online Studios, a division of ZeniMax Media Inc., was established to become a leading developer of online games, with special focus on Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games (MMORPGs). ZeniMax Online Studios is located in Hunt Valley, Maryland. For more information on ZeniMax Online Studios, visit www.zenimaxonline.com.