In an unusual cross-franchise move, publishers Bethesda Softworks and 2K Games are partnering to offer critical and commercial hits BioShock and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion in bundle deals for Xbox 360 and PC.

The announcement comes just one day after Bethesda launched various Game of the Year and Deluxe packages of Oblivion and predecessor The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind on digital distribution service Steam.

Oblivion, developed by Bethesda Game Studios and released in 2006, was co-published by Bethesda Softworks and 2K Games, allowing for this retail promotion. Bethesda took over full publishing duties on its next game, Fallout 3, and is likely to stay in that role.

2K Boston and 2K Australia's BioShock was released in 2007; its sequel, BioShock 2, is being developed by 2K Marin, 2K Australia, and Digital Extremes.

The retail BioShock & The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Bundle will be available July 7 in North America on Xbox 360 for $39.99 and on PC for $29.99. Bethesda marketing VP Pete Hines told Gamasutra only the main Oblivion game, not its expansion content, is included.

The Elder Scrolls Steam packages are now available in various configurations ranging from $13.99 to $34.99 depending on inclusions of the games' expansions and downloadable content, and are being temporarily sold for a 20 percent discount.

Extending the sales life of its products is a key part of Bethesda's strategy as a publisher, the company has said. Earlier this year, Hines told Gamasutra, "We're getting ready to do something else with Oblivion this year, because it is still selling and retailers still like it."

Hines was likely referring to this week's announcements.

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24082

That's a really good bundle for people who haven't played them yet. Shame that Oblivion isn't the GOTY edition though, Shivering Isles kicks ass.

nice one. i will be getting it when it hits in europe - i wanted to buy Bioshock for a long time and in my country it's still for 30-35$ so i will get this bundle. even though i wasn't interested in Oblivion that much, but it's a great game so i might give it a try(i liked Morrowind so i hope it will be good too).

too bad its not the GOTY. If this had all the expansions i might have gotten it but now its probably unlikely

I don't think the two complement each other well, Oblivion is beyond boring.

Great games too bad no GOTY versions

Superb bundle even if the games aren't very new.

Bioshock is one of the greatest shooters in this gen and really and atmospheric game, and Oblivion is simply the best game ever made, all categories.

The Oblivion expansions that come with GOTY are like $40 to download on Market Place. They must be trying to cash in with that.