# The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition

> 2021 video game

**Wikidata**: [Q109708349](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109708349)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-anniversary-edition

## Summary
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is a 2021 video game edition of the critically acclaimed role-playing game *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim*. Developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, this version is packaged with bonus materials and enhancements not found in the standard release. It is a single-player experience set within The Elder Scrolls universe and was released to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the original title.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date:** November 11, 2021
- **Developer:** Bethesda Game Studios (an American in-house team founded in 2001)
- **Publisher:** Bethesda Softworks (an American publisher founded in 1986)
- **Platforms:** Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, and Nintendo Switch
- **Game Mode:** Single-player video game
- **Classification:** Video game edition (packaged with bonus materials and enhancements)
- **Age Ratings:** ESRB Mature 17+, PEGI 18, and OFLC R13
- **Distribution Format:** Digital download via Microsoft Store and Nintendo eShop

## FAQs
### Q: What platforms can I play The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition on?
A: The game is available on several platforms, including Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, and the Nintendo Switch.

### Q: Who created this version of Skyrim?
A: The game was developed by Bethesda Game Studios, the American development team responsible for the franchise, and published by Bethesda Softworks, both of which are headquartered in Rockville, Maryland.

### Q: What is the age rating for the Anniversary Edition?
A: The game is rated Mature 17+ by the ESRB due to blood and gore, intense violence, language, sexual themes, and the use of alcohol. It also carries a PEGI 18 rating and an OFLC R13 classification.

### Q: Does the Anniversary Edition include new content?
A: Yes, as a "video game edition," it is specifically packaged with bonus materials and enhancements that were not available in the standard release of the game.

## Why It Matters
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition serves as a comprehensive update to one of the most influential titles in the video game industry. By consolidating the original game with additional enhancements and bonus materials, it provides a definitive version for both long-time fans and new players. Its release on modern consoles like the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 ensures the game remains accessible on current-generation hardware.

The edition is significant for its inclusion of "In-Game Purchases" and its role in celebrating the decade-long legacy of the title, as noted by critics who reviewed it as a 10-year anniversary milestone. Despite its legacy, the edition received a mixed-to-positive critical reception, with a Top Critic Average of 71/100 on OpenCritic, reflecting its position as a late-lifecycle update to a classic title.

## Notable For
- **Comprehensive Packaging:** Distinguished from the standard release by including bonus materials and specific enhancements.
- **Cross-Platform Availability:** Distributed digitally across all major modern gaming ecosystems, including the Microsoft Store and Nintendo eShop.
- **Mature Content:** Retains a strict Mature 17+ rating for content including intense violence, sexual themes, and blood and gore.
- **Franchise Legacy:** Part of the long-running The Elder Scrolls media franchise and set within its established fictional universe.

## Body

### Development and Publishing
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition was developed by Bethesda Game Studios, an American development team that has been active since 2001 and employs approximately 400 people. The project was published by Bethesda Softworks, which has operated in the video game industry since 1986. Both companies are based in Rockville, Maryland.

### Technical Specifications and Distribution
The game was designed to run on a wide array of hardware, including:
- **Microsoft Windows**
- **PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5**
- **Xbox One**
- **Xbox Series X and Series S**
- **Nintendo Switch**

It is primarily distributed as a digital download. On the Microsoft Store, it is identified by the product ID `9pbn02ctmrth`.

### Content and Ratings
As a single-player experience, the game focuses on the narrative and world-building of The Elder Scrolls universe. It has been reviewed by multiple international rating boards:
- **ESRB (Mature 17+):** Noted for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, and In-Game Purchases.
- **PEGI:** Rated PEGI 18.
- **OFLC (New Zealand):** Rated R13 for Violence and Offensive language (Work ID: 216408).

### Critical Reception
The Anniversary Edition holds various scores across review aggregators and publications:
- **OpenCritic Top Critic Average:** 71/100 (as of December 2025).
- **OpenCritic Critics Recommend:** 51% (as of January 2026).
- **Gameblog.fr:** 6/10, where it was described as a version intended to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the game.

## References

1. Microsoft Store
2. OpenCritic
3. [2021](https://www.gameblog.fr/jeu-video/jeux/tests/test-de-skyrim-anniversary-edition-la-version-de-trop-pour-feter-les-10-ans-392790)
4. Nintendo eShop
5. [Search - Film and Video Labelling Body of NZ](https://www.fvlb.org.nz/film-detail?id=216408)
6. VGChartz