Are you in the mood for some reading that's a bit heavier than the video game news post you're currently digesting? We suggest you check out this Random House page to read an excerpt from the first chapter of the Elder Scrolls-based novel, The Infernal City. The few pages of text introduce us to what will likely be the book's plucky protagonists, Annaïg and Mere-Glim.

It's a pretty intriguing kick-off for the novel's plot -- however, the excerpt doesn't exactly sound like our usual experience in the Elder Scrolls world. See, in our version, the heroes would systematically rob everyone on the planet blind, and then, once bored with that, would just start killin'. It may not win any Pulitzers, but at least it's authentic.

Though Bethesda's bigwigs have gone back and forth on the existence of another installment in the Elder Scrolls franchise, an excerpt from online book retailer Waterstone's product listing for Elder Scrolls: The Infernal City seems fairly certain of the series' continuance. The listing -- which was recently edited to remove the following savory quote -- mentions that the novel takes place 45 years after Oblivion, adding that "it partly bridges the gap for the next game, which is set 200 years after the Oblivion crisis."

As promising as this sounds, we find a major flaw with this claim -- see, we've already clocked over 200 years of playtime into Oblivion (and still haven't beaten it!), meaning we're technically playing the sequel right now. We've contacted Bethesda to ask them about the book listing, and to see if 200 years of technological progress will bring about unimaginable advances in equestrian fortification.

[Via Kotaku]

The infighting between Fallout's father and newly adopted guardian continues. According to a forum post by supposed Interplay stockholder frymuchan, Interplay has been given a 10-day extension to answer a preliminary injunction filed by Bethesda, which claims Interplay no longer holds rights to sell the original titles in the series. Following the release of Fallout 3, Interplay began selling the original titles across multiple PC-based digital distribution services.

Previous court filings by Bethesda claimed that Interplay's plans to develop a Fallout MMO -- codenamed Project V-13 -- were no longer valid because Interplay did not commence development prior to an agreed date of April 4, 2009. According to the post by RagingBull forum user "frymuchan" -- who claims to have received the information from official court documents -- Interplay claims it did issue a letter to Bethesda prior to the April date outlining details of a Fallout MMO, but Bethesda told it "for no apparent reason" that Interplay was no longer allowed to develop the game. Interplay believes that Bethesda's interference with licensing agreements to make the original titles in the series available digitally is unreasonable based on the current contracts in place.

Frymuchan also claims that Interplay has filed a countersuit versus Bethesda over statements it made to third party companies to whom it was attempting to license the original titles. According to the post, Bethesda released statements to companies such as GameTap and Good Old Games, claiming Interplay had no rights to license Fallout 1, 2 or Tactics for sale on its services. Interplay's counterclaim maintains this "unreasonable interference" puts Bethesda into breach of contract and makes the license sale "null and void," therefore reverting the agreement back to a sub-licensing deal between Interplay and Bethesda. In short, Interplay claims Bethesda now only holds rights to Fallout 3 with options for a fourth and fifth game in the series.

It's an argument of apocalyptic proportions and we're expecting more details when the extension expires next week.

[Via GamePolitics and Destructoid]

Bethesda Softworks has revealed the cover for The Infernal City, the first of two Elder Scrolls books the publisher plans to produce. The novel, written by Greg Keyes, will make its way to store shelves November 24 ... the audio book will only have six voice actors (OK, we made that last part up).

Joystiq chat transcript upon seeing the cover:

Alexander S.: Question: Where is the water generated from that just flows out of this flying city?
Dave H.: A wizard did it.
Alexander S.: That's your answer for everything.
Ben G.: Yeah, Dave's wrong anyway. A whole bunch of wizards would be required for something like that.
Alexander S.: They have a wizard on the "Hamster Wheel of Water Generation."
JC F.: How could you even keep the city's inferno going with all that water?
Justin M.: It's a water inferno.

A couple of threads over at Bethesda Softwork's forums reveal that Canadian PS3 owners are having a problem getting their previous Capital Wasteland save files to be recognized by the newly released Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition. Speculation by forum posters about the cause of the issue seems to revolve around either improper/outdated patching or that the GOTY edition isn't compatible with a version of the game sold in the region.

We've been in contact with Bethesda this morning, which is aware of the problem and is currently trying to figure out precisely what the issue is before it makes a statement. We'll update as soon as we learn more.

While the idea of getting wet at the movies doesn't sound all that great (wet clothes and air conditioning don't mix, people!), the prospect of a Wet movie is certainly something we can get behind. That's just what voice of Rubi Malone Eliza Dushku proposed during an interview with MTV, stating that the game "maybe could turn into a live-action Dushku vehicle."

Of course, it's best to keep in mind that there aren't any actual plans yet; Dushku isn't confirming things are in motion to make a live-action Wet film a reality, rather she wouldn't mind playing Rubi Malone in the film if it ever happens. We wouldn't mind it, either -- it'd give her a chance to make up for her underwhelming performance in the game.

Remember Harrison Krix, that talented mofo that made the Portal gun and that crazy awesome Big Daddy costume? Well, Krix has done it again, this time recreating the early-level staple of Fallout 3, the Laser Rifle. He's provided his usual ridiculously long step-by-step process on the creation of the almost-a-firearm, so give it a gander if you're so inclined. Now if only he'd make some replica Mirelurks for us to pretend-shoot at ...

[Via BethBlog Twitter]

For some, Halo 3: ODST's $60 price point has become a point of contention (though not for us, we should note). And not for Bethesda production director Ashley Cheng either, who says on his blog that, "reviewers are now mentioning that Halo 3: ODST may not be worth the price point, that it should've been cheaper, etc. ... give me a break."

According to him, these complaints wouldn't be arising if it weren't for the game's "totally bungled" marketing campaign. "First saying it was a standalone expansion pack, then coming out and saying wait, no, we're charging full price because - surprise! - we put 'more' stuff in it and it's called Halo 3: ODST now, vs its original title, Halo 3: Recon." Bungie has since justified the new price point to us, though apparently for some that just wasn't enough.

Bethesda assured us that the Fallout 3 downloadable content packs for PS3 would be available starting at the "end of September," and, as promised, Broken Steel will be up on September 24. It'll be followed by Operation Anchorage and The Pitt on October 1, and Point Lookout and Mothership Zeta on October 8. Today, the publisher released an update for Fallout 3 to add trophy support for these DLC packs. In just a few weeks, PS3 owners will be totally caught up with Xbox gamers! Except, of course, for the ... many hours of gameplay required to complete any of these packs.

Bethesda also confirmed the October 13 release date for the Fallout 3 Game of the Year edition, available on PS3, Xbox, and 360, and including the game and all the DLC. It will indeed cost $59.99, as retailers listed the title last month.

You have to love a game that works solely on the strength of its convictions. Deep down in the very core of its rockabilly heart, Wet knows that shooting dudes while you slow-mo dive and slide is fun. Fun enough to build an entire game around without too much ancillary garbage? Yes. A thousands times yes.

Sure, Artificial Mind and Movement has sexed it up with a gritty grindhouse feel and some outstanding music, but Wet is a game that never forgets on which side its bread is buttered. And that's the murder side ... of the, um, bread.

Things weren't looking good for Interplay earlier this year and, uh, much hasn't changed since then. Even though the company had virtually no money, it still wanted to make the Fallout MMO, Project V-13. Well, Interplay's got another hurdle now: Bethesda. The Oblivion and Fallout 3 developer claims that Interplay infringed on its trademark, court documents show. Interplay disagrees, obviously, and says it still holds the rights to develop the title with Masthead Studios, even though it failed to commence the stipulated full-scale development by April 4, 2009.

Gamasutra has more info on the lawsuit, which also mentions Interplay's licensing of the original Fallout games for digital distribution through services such Steam, GOG.com and GameTap. Bethesda says this has caused "immediate, substantial, and irreparable harm." But, hey, it's not all frowns and sad faces. Above this text is a neat piece of concept art for Project V-13 from Natiq Aghayev. Man, we never thought post-apocalyptia could look so good.

Source - Court documents [Via VG247]
Source - Gamasutra

Those of you looking to throw down in a challenging series of class-based WWII shootouts should be on the look out on Wolfenstein multiplayer tonight. From 6PM (that's now!) to 8PM EDT developers from Raven Software -- the ones that are left, we assume -- and id Software will be on hand to battle for glory against Xbox Live Gold members in another rousing session of Game with Developers.

Unlike the last GwD event, gamers don't have to pre-purchase content in order to play with the game's development team! Well, unless you count the game itself. Which, technically, we guess you have to.

Though we heard about a planned follow-up to the gravity-twisting Prey way back in March of 2008, things have been quiet on the game ever since. Now, according to filings found by superannuation, Bethesda parent company Zenimax has acquired the rights to the series.

Does this mean that id Software, which was recently acquired by Bethesda, is collaborating with the publisher on an incredible, post-apocalyptic open-world game filled with Native Americans and disturbingly vaginal doors? Yes. Yes, that's exactly what it means. But you didn't hear it from us.

New trophies tied to the downloadable content for Fallout 3 have appeared on player profiles recently, leading some to pray with all their might believe Bethesda could release the content early. Originally planned for a late-June release, the first of Fallout 3's DLC was delayed by Bethesda to the "end of September." Whether the appearance of the trophies signify an early release for the DLC or not, it appears the content is just around the corner for those clamoring for an excuse to revisit the Wasteland.

Whenever it releases, the first downloadable content for the PlayStation 3 version of Fallout 3 will be the level-raising adventure 'Broken Steel' -- originally the third DLC pack for Xbox 360 users. If Fallout 3 has yet to make its way into your library and you're the inquisitive type, you can check out the new trophy listing [via Kotaku] after the break.