Excitement is building as Bethesda is reportedly on the brink of announcing a remake of the beloved classic, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. According to the reliable source, NatetheHate, who correctly predicted the announcement date of the Nintendo Switch 2, the reveal is expected to happen either this month or next month. This information has been corroborated by VGC, adding credibility to the rumor.
While the exact release date remains somewhat unclear, NatetheHate suggests it could be before June, whereas VGC speculates a potential launch as early as April. This eagerly anticipated remake promises to breathe new life into the iconic game, offering fans an enhanced experience.
In January, Mp1st shed light on what appears to be an accidental leak by a former employee at video game support studio Virtuos, hinting at details of the Oblivion remake. Microsoft, when approached by IGN for comment, remained silent on the matter. According to Mp1st, Virtuos is using Unreal Engine 5 to completely overhaul Bethesda's much-loved open-world RPG, suggesting a comprehensive remake rather than a mere remaster. The gameplay is reportedly seeing significant changes, including modifications to Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and the heads-up display (HUD).
These changes aim to modernize the game, with Blocking being revamped to draw inspiration from action games and Soulslikes, addressing the original's "boring" and "frustrating" mechanics. Sneak icons will reportedly be more visible, damage calculations have been reworked, and triggering a knockdown from depleted Stamina will be more challenging. The HUD has been redesigned for better clarity, hit reactions have been added for more impactful combat, and Archery has been updated for both first and third-person gameplay.
Rumors of an Oblivion remaster first surfaced in 2023, following the release of documents during the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) versus Microsoft trial regarding the Activision Blizzard acquisition. These documents, compiled in July 2020 before Microsoft's purchase of Bethesda's parent company ZeniMax Media in March 2021, listed several unannounced Bethesda titles planned for future release. Among them was an "Oblivion Remaster," set for the financial year 2022, alongside an Indiana Jones game. Other titles mentioned included Doom Year Zero and its DLC, Project Kestrel, Project Platinum, The Elder Scrolls 6, a Project Kestrel expansion, a licensed IP game, a Fallout 3 Remaster, a Ghostwire: Tokyo sequel, Dishonored 3, and additional DOOM Year Zero DLC.
It's important to note that several of these projects have either been delayed or canceled. Doom Year Zero has been rebranded as Doom: The Dark Ages, with a launch scheduled for May, while Indiana Jones and the Great Circle didn't hit shelves until December 2024. The Elder Scrolls 6 also missed its initial financial year 2024 target.
The term "remaster" used in the Microsoft document for the Oblivion project might suggest a smaller-scale update, but the latest leaks indicate a full-fledged remake. The true nature of the project will become clear once Bethesda officially unveils it, putting an end to one of the most talked-about secrets in gaming.
As for the platforms, with Microsoft now embracing multiplatform releases and the Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon, the Oblivion remake could potentially be available on more than just PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. If the Switch 2 launches around June, it's possible that Oblivion could be part of its launch window, offering a broader audience the chance to explore Cyrodiil in a new light.
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