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

Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed his awe at Bethesda and Virtuos' work on the newly released Oblivion Remastered. In a conversation with VideoGamer, Nesmith revealed that the effort put into reimagining every aspect of Cyrodiil was nothing short of astonishing. He emphasized the "blood, sweat, and tears" that went into the original game, making the comprehensive update even more impressive.

"I was assuming this was going to be a texture update," Nesmith admitted. "I didn’t really think it was going to be the complete overhaul that they’ve announced it to be... I would not have batted an eye at that. But to completely redo the animations, the animation system, put in the Unreal Engine, change the leveling system, change the user interface. I mean, that’s, you’re touching every part of the game."

Despite no official mention from Bethesda before its surprise launch, fans have been overwhelmingly positive about the extensive changes. From minor visual enhancements to significant gameplay adjustments, including a new sprint mechanic and revamped leveling system, many feel that Oblivion Remastered is closer to a remake than a mere remaster. Nesmith concurs, suggesting that the term "remaster" might not fully capture the scale of the update. He proposed "Oblivion 2.0" as a more fitting description, emphasizing the staggering level of remastering involved.

"That’s a staggering amount of remastering," Nesmith added. "It almost needs its own word, quite frankly. I’m not sure remaster actually does it justice."

In further discussions, Nesmith reiterated his view, stating, "The closest that could come [to categorizing it] is Oblivion 2.0."

As the community celebrates the meticulous work on Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda has shared its perspective on the project. In a social media statement, the studio clarified that it "never wanted to remake" Oblivion but aimed to modernize the experience for both returning and new players, preserving the essence of the original game, warts and all.

"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 released yesterday in a surprise move by Bethesda. Players can dive into the revamped 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. The modding community has also responded enthusiastically to this unexpected launch.

For a deep dive into what Oblivion Remastered offers, check out our comprehensive guide. It includes an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, and much more.