Daggerfall now available as a free download : The Elder Scrolls Series Discussion

» Sun Nov 21, 2010 6:30 am

Posted this on Bethblog a few moments ago...

Five years ago, to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of The Elder Scrolls, we released The Elder Scrolls: Arena http://bethblog.com/index.php/2007/07/20/download-arena/. If you do the math, that means the series is now celebrating its 15th Anniversary. So despite saying we'd never do it, we've decided to release The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall as a http://www.elderscrolls.com/downloads/downloads_games.htm too!

One thing to keep in mind ? the game is over 10-years-old and we're releasing it "as is." In other words, we're not providing customer support or technical support on the game at this point. That being said, I successfully started up the game running http://www.dosbox.com/ and following QA superstar Mike Mazzuca's http://static.gamesas.com/downloads/games/daggerfall_legal_and_installation.pdf for installing the game. Follow the directions and you should be in good shape.

Having heard many stories of how you guys wanted to get your hands on the game, we're excited that many of you will get to experience Daggerfall for the first time. Head http://www.elderscrolls.com/downloads/downloads_games.htm to download the game. Enjoy!

» Sat Nov 20, 2010 6:39 pm

let me be the first to say:

[censored] yes.

» Sat Nov 20, 2010 2:44 pm

This is good news, but it also means we're about to be swarmed with threads about how people can't get it to run and can't seem to take the time to understand DOSbox.

[edit] I take that back, those instructions seem to be pretty good. Now we'll just be swarmed with threads about how people can't seem to be bothered to read the instructions.

» Sat Nov 20, 2010 8:15 pm

Thank you GStaff and thank you to Bethesda's employees!

I already own the game, but I'm very happy that the other gamers will be able to play the game.
This is great news! :foodndrink:

This is good news, but it also means we're about the be swarmed with threads about how people can't get it to run and can't seem to take the time to understand DOSbox.

Yes, but at least new gamers will be able to bask in the best Elder Scrolls title! :celebration:

» Sun Nov 21, 2010 4:30 am

Maybe, but for someone that plays most of their games on Xbox and PS3, I was able to follow the steps we put up without any problem (our QA guy Mike Mazzuca put up really easy to follow instructions.).. I was playing the game in less than 10 minutes.

» Sun Nov 21, 2010 12:19 am

Very nice! :celebration:

Although the past game section will start to flood over with people like it did after they released arena.

» Sat Nov 20, 2010 5:38 pm

I recant, GStaff. Having looked at them now, those instructions look pretty dang straightforward, and even with explanation as to what they are doing with each command and why. Good job!

My cynicism towards board users in general, however, stands

I'm still stoked that you finally made it free!

» Sun Nov 21, 2010 2:42 am

Thanks guys!

I'm thrilled that a whole new generation of ES fans is finally going to get the chance to play Daggerfall without paying 80 bucks on ebay. Also good to know that Bethesda hasn't disavowed all knowledge of the game's existence, as I'd once feared. Sure the forum will be flooded, but I'm honestly looking forward to reading the reactions of some players as they experience Daggerfall for the first time. It will be like time traveling back to the Bethesda BBS in 1996.

» Sun Nov 21, 2010 4:04 am

Whoa, very cool! B)

I wonder how much this has to do with the recent release of DOSBox 0.73? Before 0.73 one had edit the z.cfg file to get it to work, so it's easier to set up now.

» Sat Nov 20, 2010 11:15 pm

Wow! I am excited to give this game a try, having heard so much about it over the years.

» Sat Nov 20, 2010 10:11 pm

Woah awesome! Nobody saw that coming I bet...

Looks like a lot more people are going to be watching luciusDXL's project too then

» Sun Nov 21, 2010 2:26 am

I recant, GStaff. Having looked at them now, those instructions look pretty dang straightforward, and even with explanation as to what they are doing with each command and why. Good job!

My cynicism towards board users in general, however, stands

I'm still stoked that you finally made it free!

:)

» Sun Nov 21, 2010 5:13 am

I don't think I can copy paste my real feelings when I heard this on UES

AWESOME STUFF.

So much for it will never be released, Pete! That wasn't a funny joke

» Sat Nov 20, 2010 3:24 pm

I love how for years and years we've been replying to threads here saying "For the last time, Daggerfall will NEVER be available for download!! >:o" ...and haven't we got egg on our faces now.

Thanks Beth. <3 Ok, so I have two CD copies anyway, but what if I lose them? I can sleep soundly once more :coolvaultboy:

» Sun Nov 21, 2010 4:16 am

Out of curiosity, how is the game packaged? Is this DFInstall.exe the same installer that's been floating around for quite some time, or have you made your own? I assume it's already set to run without the CD, so are all the right files from the disc (sky textures and cutscenes) already copied over?

I'm at work right now or I'd install it myself to check.

» Sat Nov 20, 2010 7:20 pm

I don't think I can copy paste my real feelings when I heard this on UES

AWESOME STUFF.

So much for it will never be released, Pete! That wasn't a funny joke

I didn't think it would get released either...but Pete's happy that we were able to make it happen.

» Sat Nov 20, 2010 3:14 pm

Out of curiosity, how is the game packaged? Is this DFInstall.exe the same installer that's been floating around for quite some time, or have you made your own? I assume it's already set to run without the CD, so are all the right files from the disc (sky textures and cutscenes) already copied over?

There's a DFCD folder and you mount it as a CD in DOSBox. And then do the whole install procedure and so on in DOSBox. So it's not pre-configured with DOSBox or anything.

» Sat Nov 20, 2010 5:27 pm

*pinch* yep, this is real

» Sat Nov 20, 2010 7:15 pm

There's a DFCD folder and you mount it as a CD in DOSBox. And then do the whole install procedure and so on in DOSBox. So it's not pre-configured with DOSBox or anything.

Ah, and I see it comes with the 213 patch as well. Very nice!

» Sat Nov 20, 2010 10:10 pm

Absolutely awesome. Now everyone can enjoy it. Expecting plenty of "How do I get out of Privateer's Hold!?" threads soon.

» Sat Nov 20, 2010 7:26 pm

So. Redguard and Battlespire next year?

*ducks rotten tomatoes* Ok, joking, joking...

» Sun Nov 21, 2010 5:19 am

Yay! :woot: I've been wanting Daggerfall for a long time. :bowdown:

» Sun Nov 21, 2010 4:21 am

Absolutely awesome. Now everyone can enjoy it. Expecting plenty of "How do I get out of Privateer's Hold!?" threads soon.

come on, privateer's hold isn't that difficult, you can even reach the exit without the whole throne thing. though recognizing that door texture could be a problem at first.

though thinking about it again, there might be a lot of posts about how difficult those imps are, especially if you only have iron weapons.

» Sat Nov 20, 2010 6:06 pm

Damn. I should pay more attention to the Past Games forum. I could've started my download half an hour ago...

» Sun Nov 21, 2010 1:09 am

Morrowind in another 5 years?