"Oblivion Remake Announcement Imminent, Release to Follow Soon"

Exciting news awaits fans of the iconic RPG series as Bethesda is reportedly gearing up to announce a remake of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion in the coming weeks, with a release soon to follow. Renowned leaker NatetheHate, who previously pinpointed the announcement date of the Nintendo Switch 2 with precision, has taken to Twitter to share that the reveal of the Oblivion remake is imminent, expected either this month or the next. This information has been corroborated by VGC, adding credibility to the impending announcement.

While the exact release date remains somewhat uncertain, NatetheHate suggests a launch before June, whereas VGC hints at a possible release as early as April. This eagerly awaited remake promises to bring back the beloved open-world experience of Oblivion with significant enhancements.

Earlier this year, Mp1st shed light on what appeared to be inadvertently disclosed details about the Oblivion remake from a former employee at video game support studio Virtuos. Although Microsoft chose not to comment when approached by IGN, Mp1st's report indicated that Virtuos is utilizing Unreal Engine 5 for a substantial rework of Bethesda's classic, rather than a mere remaster. The alleged gameplay changes include modifications to Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and the heads-up display (HUD), aiming to modernize the experience while preserving its essence.

Notably, the changes to Blocking were inspired by action games and Soulslikes, aiming to address the original's perceived "boring" and "frustrating" mechanics. Sneak icons are now reportedly more visible, with revamped damage calculation. The threshold for triggering a knockdown due to depleted Stamina has been adjusted to be more challenging. Additionally, the HUD has been redesigned for clarity, hit reactions have been enhanced for better feedback, and Archery mechanics have been updated in both first and third-person perspectives.

Rumors and Leaks: A Brief History

The notion of an Oblivion remaster first surfaced in 2023, following the release of documents during the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) versus Microsoft trial concerning Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. These documents, compiled in July 2020 before Microsoft's purchase of ZeniMax Media in March 2021, listed several unannounced Bethesda projects slated for release in the coming years. Among them was an Oblivion Remaster planned for the financial year 2022, alongside an Indiana Jones game.

However, the list included other titles like Doom Year Zero and its DLC, Project Kestrel, Project Platinum, The Elder Scrolls 6, a Fallout 3 Remaster, a Ghostwire: Tokyo Sequel, and Dishonored 3, many of which faced delays or cancellation. Notably, Doom Year Zero has evolved into Doom: The Dark Ages, set for a May release, while Indiana Jones and the Great Circle did not see the light of day until December 2024. The Elder Scrolls 6 also missed its projected timeline for financial year 2024.

The original document referred to the project as a remaster, but given the scope of changes reported, it seems Bethesda may have shifted gears towards a full-fledged remake. As the anticipation builds, the gaming community eagerly awaits Bethesda's official unveiling of what has become one of the industry's worst-kept secrets.

With Microsoft now focusing on multiplatform releases and the Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon, the Oblivion remake could potentially launch across a broader range of platforms, including PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and possibly the new Switch. Should the Switch 2 debut around June, the Oblivion remake might well be part of its launch lineup, offering a fresh experience to a new generation of gamers.

Every IGN Elder Scrolls Review

27 Images