The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remake, rumored to be in development and slated for a 2025 release, has sparked excitement with a leaked list of details circulating online. According to Mp1st, these details were inadvertently shared by a former employee at Virtuos, a video game support studio. Microsoft, when approached by IGN, chose not to comment on the matter.
Mp1st reports that Virtuos has undertaken a comprehensive remake of Bethesda's beloved open-world RPG using Unreal Engine 5, indicating a significant overhaul rather than a simple remaster. The leaked information suggests various gameplay enhancements, including modifications to Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and the heads-up display (HUD).
The changes to Blocking were reportedly inspired by action games and Soulslikes, aiming to address the original system's perceived "boring" and "frustrating" nature. Sneak icons are now supposedly highlighted, with revamped damage calculations. The effect of depleting Stamina leading to a knockdown is said to be more challenging to trigger. The HUD has been redesigned for better clarity, hit reactions have been introduced for more responsive gameplay, and Archery has been updated for both first and third-person views.
Rumors of an Oblivion remaster first surfaced in 2023, following the release of documents during the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) versus Microsoft trial concerning the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. These documents, compiled in July 2020 before Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media in March 2021, listed several unannounced Bethesda projects planned for release in subsequent years. The list included:
Financial year 2022:
- Oblivion Remaster
- Indiana Jones game
Financial year 2023:
- Doom Year Zero and DLC
- Project Kestrel
- Project Platinum
Financial year 2024:
- The Elder Scrolls 6
- Project Kestrel: Expansion
- Licensed IP Game
- Fallout 3 Remaster
- Ghostwire: Tokyo Sequel
- Dishonored 3
- DOOM Year Zero DLC
Several of these projects have faced delays or cancellations. Doom Year Zero has been renamed Doom: The Dark Ages and is set to launch this year, while Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was released in December 2024. The Elder Scrolls 6 did not meet its projected timeline for financial year 2024.
The focus now shifts to the Oblivion remaster, which was initially labeled as such in the Microsoft document. It's possible that the project's scope expanded into a full remake. The gaming community eagerly awaits an official announcement from Bethesda to clarify the nature of this project.
Regarding platform availability, Microsoft's current strategy favors multiplatform releases. With the anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, the Oblivion remake might extend beyond PC, Xbox, and PlayStation to include this new console. Leaker NateTheHate has suggested a June release for the Oblivion remake, which could align with the rumored launch window of the Switch 2.
Next week, Microsoft will host an Xbox Developer Direct, where id Software, owned by ZeniMax, will provide more details on Doom: The Dark Ages. Microsoft has also hinted at revealing a new game from an undisclosed developer, though it appears unlikely to be the Oblivion remake. Windows Central's Jez Corden has hinted that this mystery game is "a new entry in a legendary Japanese IP which has decades of history, and should make a lot of fans happy."
