"Oblivion Designer Praises Bethesda's Remaster as 'Oblivion 2.0'"

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion senior game designer Bruce Nesmith has expressed awe at Bethesda and Virtuos' Oblivion Remastered, suggesting that the term "remaster" might not fully encapsulate the extent of the changes. In a recent interview with VideoGamer, Nesmith, who played a pivotal role in the original 2006 RPG, shared his astonishment at the comprehensive overhaul. He highlighted the dedication that went into crafting the world of Cyrodiil, making the transformation of Oblivion into something almost unrecognizable even more impactful.

“I was expecting a mere texture update,” Nesmith admitted. “What I didn’t anticipate was the complete transformation they’ve unveiled... I would have been content with minor enhancements. However, they’ve revamped the animations, overhauled the animation system, integrated the Unreal Engine, revised the leveling system, and redesigned the user interface. Essentially, they’ve touched every aspect of the game.”

Despite no prior official announcement from Bethesda, the sudden release of Oblivion Remastered yesterday has left fans marveling at the vast array of modifications, from superficial visual enhancements to core gameplay adjustments. Innovations like a new sprint mechanic and alterations to the leveling system have led many, including Nesmith, to consider Oblivion Remastered more of a remake than a mere remaster.

Nesmith proposed the term “Oblivion 2.0” to reflect the extensive nature of the remastering process. “It’s an unprecedented level of remastering,” he remarked. “Perhaps it requires a new term altogether. The word 'remaster' might not suffice to describe it accurately.”

In his discussion, Nesmith also tried to encapsulate his impressions of Oblivion Remastered, suggesting that the closest label could be “Oblivion 2.0.”

As the gaming community celebrates the dedication poured into Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda has shared its perspective on the project's naming. In a recent social media statement, the studio clarified that they never intended to create a full remake of Oblivion. Instead, their goal was to preserve the essence of the original game while updating it for a new audience, imperfections included.

“We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil,” Bethesda’s statement read. “But there are also so many who have never played it. We can’t thank you enough for all the support you have given us and our games over the years. Our hope with this remaster is that, no matter who you are, when you step out of the Imperial sewer – you feel like you’re experiencing it for the first time.”

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered was unveiled and made available yesterday through a surprise release from Bethesda. You can now dive into the revitalized world of Cyrodiil on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can enjoy it at no additional cost. For insights into how Oblivion Remastered has sparked renewed enthusiasm within the Elder Scrolls community, explore the reactions from the modding community following this unexpected launch.

Our detailed guide covers everything you need to know about Oblivion Remastered, including an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and all Guild Quests, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, and much more.