‘Skyrim: Dawnguard’ DLC Releases
Bethesda

"Skyrim" players using PS3 have been eagerly anticipating the release date for the "Dawnguard" DLC. But they may be waiting for a day that will never come, according to Bethesda.

The company posted on the official Bethesda forum Friday that there have been some technical difficulties with creating the "Dawnguard" DLC for PS3, and "this is a not problem we're positive we can solve."

Bethesda did not further specify what the problem was, but according to Eurogamer it could have to do with the save-game frame-rate glitch that the PS3 version of "Skyrim" suffered after its initial launch.

"It's been a few weeks, and we wanted to make sure everyone knows where we're at with 'Dawnguard,'" the forum post from Bethesda read. "'Skyrim' is a massive and dynamic game that requires a lot of resources, and things get much more complex when you're talking about sizable content like 'Dawnguard.' We have tried a number of things, but none of them solve the issue enough to make 'Dawnguard' good for everyone."

The post went on to say that the team is still working on a solution to bring the 'Dawnguard' DLC to PS3 players. Bethesda also mentioned the new content they have been working on, such as the recent expansion "Hearthfire" that was just announced earlier this week.

"The PS3 is a powerful system, and we're working hard to deliver the content you guys want. 'Dawnguard' is obviously not the only DLC we've been working on either, so the issues of adding content get even more complicated. "

And then came the dreaded words that PS3 fans are sure to be saddened by:

"This is not a problem we're positive we can solve, but we are working together with Sony to try to bring you this content."

It is unclear exactly what Bethesda means when mentioning that 'Dawnguard' isn't the only DLC they've been working on, but one hopes this isn't an allusion to the same issue occurring with other DLC releases on the PS3. Earlier this week, PR and Marketing Vice President Pete Hines assured that the development of "Hearthfire" has not affected the "Dawnguard" release on PS3.

"No, they are separate things," Hines said to ComputerAndVideoGames.com. "We are working on multiple projects, even beyond those two things. The entire team doesn't work on one thing at a time."

Disgruntled PS3 players have been contacting Hines via Twitter to ask about the status of "Dawnguard" on that console, asking whether or not the DLC is currently playable at all.

"Yes, it just doesn't perform well in all scenarios," Hines responded. "Some folks would be fine, some would not."

When asked further about this comment, the Bethesda executive simply responded, "Every save game is different."

Although the exact problems plaguing the vampire-themed "Skyrim" DLC for the PS3 have not been specified, a developer for "Fallout: New Vegas" spoke out when "Skyrim" had originally launched on the PS3. According to the developer, Josh Sawyer, the issue that many PS3 players faced with "Skyrim" could have been caused by the game's engine. He also warned that this could be exacerbated by DLC add-ons, reported Eurogamer.

But Hines rejected this explanation, according to the video game news source.

"No, it isn't true," he said. "He brings up issues we solved a long time ago."

The release date for "Dawnguard" on the Xbox 360 came more than two months ago on June 26, and the studio has just announced its new "Hearthfire" DLC.

This DLC will be vastly different from "Dawnguard," which added new vampire-based quests that required players to choose whether they wanted to hunt the blood-sucking creatures or play as one of them. In "Hearthfire," players will be able to construct their own home within the game.

"Skyrim" players will first need to purchase a deed to a piece of land, and then will be able to build their home and craft it however they wish. This includes creating cooking pots and tables, and can be upgraded to add sections such as kitchens and libraries.

The upcoming DLC also incorporates a new adoption system that allows players to raise a family if they choose to do so.

The release date for the "Hearthfire" DLC is set for next Tuesday, and it will cost 400 Microsoft points.

Check out the trailer for "Hearthfire" below.