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You don't like Elder Scrolls as much as this guy

9/29/11 2:02pm

Oh, so you think you like Elder Scrolls? Think you're a fan, huh? Well take a look at what this guy did and then get back to me.

Reddit user and superfan "notadoctoreither" has printed and bound every piece of in-game text from Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and it's expansions into one, giant volume.  He says the enormous 950-page edition cost him over $130 in materials including leather for binding, parchment paper and "ribbons and bits" for ornamentation.  He says he started the project 3 years ago, but that it's hard to put a timestamp on how long it actually took to complete.

"It's really hard to gauge, because lots of steps involved glueing. So I'd do something else while that was drying, and a typical afternoon's work on it was very on and off. There was also shopping and googling for information and sometimes just sitting there looking at it trying to decide the best approach. If I do Morrowind or Skyrim I'll try to come up with an proper estimate."

If you want a copy of the volume for yourself, he's uploaded the complete OpenOffice doc here for your enjoyment.  His  bound version, however,  is not so readily available.

"It was a labour of love. I'm sure no one could afford it. :-) "

Even if notadoctoreither did hope to sell the book, it brings up the interesting question of copyright infringement and whether Bethesda would be down with the not-doctor's pet project; especially given their recent lawsuit track record.

"I don't plan to make more of these," he explains. "And if I did, I probably couldn't legally sell them. It was very much a labor of love, and a lot of work -- and I tend to change hobbies a lot. Having said that, I've just started playing Morrowind and I'm looking forward to Skyrim, so I'm not going to rule out another volume. I've emailed Bethesda. Not expecting anything, but I do think they're pretty awesome."

Check out the pictures below for yourselves:

Pretty impressive, no?

GamePro

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g1 DISCUSSIONS

metaking64x

September 29, 2011 - 8:40pm

It'd be the best thing ever if Bethesda printed this....

MaDdOg99

September 29, 2011 - 5:39pm

Now that would be something kinda cool to come up with...

Just-Joe

September 29, 2011 - 5:04pm

If he's doing this, then who's watching the president?

Pirate-Ninja Coalition

September 29, 2011 - 4:06pm

This is equal parts obsession and total pure epic win... It looks quite authentic as well, nice font and paper, leather bound. IMO the elder scrolls logo on the cover looks a bit erm... off? He should have scorched it in, would have looked a lot better.

The Gaming News Guy

September 29, 2011 - 3:45pm

Really Really Badass

joeshadowman

September 29, 2011 - 3:40pm

Will Bethesda sue this guy as well?

It's nice though. Wise I had me a copy.

FireingMahLazer

September 30, 2011 - 10:21am

They probably wont sue if there is no profit to sue over. Posting everything on the web is as free as a spoiler alert of a movie. But to have that book would be awesome.

joeshadowman

October 1, 2011 - 11:21pm

I was just making fun of the Law suit they have against the crater of Mindcraft.

styx971

September 29, 2011 - 3:13pm

thats awesome but news is kinda old :/ heard this about a week ago but still awesome bethesda should make a deal with this guy bout selling them

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