In 1997 and 1998, Bethesda released two "The Elder Scrolls" spin-offs based on "Daggerfall" code—' and '—neither of which enjoyed the success of "Daggerfall" and "Arena". The downturn in sales was not limited just to "The Elder Scrolls" franchise, and the company considered filing for bankruptcy as a result. In 1999, Pete Hines joined Bethesda to head up its marketing department, running it as what he described as a one-man band. At the start of his tenure, the company had employed around 15 people in its Rockville headquarters.