Ten years ago this month, Bethesda Softworks released the first game in what would turn out to be its most successful and popular series: The Elder Scrolls. The Elder Scrolls: Arena was a role-playing game unlike any other and drew acclaim from gamers and the press alike for its innovative and open-ended gameplay. For an overview of the series and our anniversary, you can read the full press release here.

We thought we would take this opportunity to look back on all of the Elder Scrolls games released so far, both in terms of what took place in each game (for those of you who haven’t played them all) as well as an inside look at the development for each game. You may be surprised at what you find out, like which game was originally a gladiator game, or which game was originally supposed to take place in the province of Morrowind. Find out more by clicking on the game links in the menu on the left, or use the timeline below. You can even download a free, full version of the original Arena from our Downloads section.

We also thought we’d use this opportunity say thank you for your support by giving away a ton of cool prizes in our Elder Scrolls 10th Anniversary Giveaway. Be sure to enter today for your chance at video cards from ATI and NVIDIA, wireless Xbox controllers from Hip Gear, sound cards and speakers from Creative Labs, cordless Xbox controllers and keyboard/mouse Duos from Logitech, and even one-of-a-kind Elder Scrolls concept art or a killer 4’ x 5’ Morrowind poster (yes, that’s four feet by five feet).