Exciting news is on the horizon for fans of the iconic *The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion* as Bethesda is reportedly gearing up to announce a much-anticipated remake in the coming weeks. According to the reliable source NatetheHate, who previously nailed the announcement date for the Nintendo Switch 2, the reveal could happen as early as this month or next, a timeline that VGC has also confirmed. While the exact release window remains somewhat unclear, NatetheHate suggests a launch before June, whereas VGC hints at a possible April debut.
This news follows a January report from Mp1st, which uncovered details about the Oblivion remake that were allegedly leaked by a former employee at Virtuos, a video game support studio. Microsoft, when approached by IGN for comment, chose to remain silent. The leak suggests that Virtuos has utilized Unreal Engine 5 to completely overhaul Bethesda's beloved open-world RPG, indicating a comprehensive remake rather than a simple remaster. The gameplay is said to have undergone significant changes, including modifications to Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and the heads-up display (HUD).
According to Mp1st, the revamped Blocking system takes inspiration from action games and Soulslikes, addressing the original's perceived "boring" and "frustrating" mechanics. Sneak icons are now more prominent, with revamped damage calculations. The effect of depleting Stamina leading to a knockdown has been made more challenging to trigger. Additionally, the HUD has been redesigned for clarity, hit reactions have been introduced to enhance responsiveness, and Archery has been modernized in both first and third-person views.
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Rumors of an Oblivion remaster first surfaced in 2023 when documents from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) versus Microsoft trial over the Activision Blizzard acquisition were made public. These documents, created in July 2020 before Microsoft's purchase of ZeniMax Media in March 2021, listed several unannounced Bethesda titles planned for future release. Among them, the *Oblivion Remaster* was slated for the financial year 2022, alongside an Indiana Jones game. Other projects 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. While some of these projects have faced delays or cancellations, *Doom Year Zero* has evolved into *Doom: The Dark Ages*, set to launch in May, and *Indiana Jones and the Great Circle* didn't hit shelves until December 2024. Notably, *The Elder Scrolls 6* missed its projected financial year 2024 release.
The document referred to the Oblivion project as a *remaster*, but given the scope of changes reported, it appears Bethesda may have opted for a full remake. Fans eagerly await the official announcement to uncover the true nature of this project, which has become one of the worst-kept secrets in gaming.
As for platform availability, with Microsoft now embracing multiplatform releases and the anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 around June, the Oblivion remake could potentially expand its reach beyond PC, Xbox, and PlayStation to include Nintendo's latest console. If the timing aligns, the remake might even grace the Switch 2's launch window.
