Rumors of an Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion remake, slated for a 2025 release, have surfaced online, accompanied by leaked details. A purported list of specifics, allegedly originating from a former Virtuos employee (a video game support studio), was reported by Mp1st. Microsoft declined comment when queried by IGN.
Mp1st's report claims Virtuos utilized Unreal Engine 5 for the remake, hinting at a substantial overhaul rather than a simple remaster. Alleged gameplay modifications include adjustments to Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reactions, and the HUD.
The Blocking system, according to the leak, underwent a redesign inspired by action and Soulslike games, addressing criticisms of its original "boring" and "frustrating" mechanics. Sneak icons are supposedly more visible, damage calculations have been revised, and Stamina depletion now reportedly triggers knockdowns less frequently. The HUD has received a visual refresh for improved clarity. Hit reactions have been added for more responsive feedback, and Archery has undergone modernization in both first and third-person perspectives.
News of an Oblivion remaster initially emerged in 2023, surfacing in documents from the FTC vs. Microsoft trial concerning the Activision Blizzard acquisition. A July 2020 list, compiled before Microsoft's March 2021 purchase of ZeniMax Media (Bethesda's parent company), included several unannounced Bethesda titles. Many of these titles have since seen delays or cancellations. For instance, Doom Year Zero is now Doom: The Dark Ages, launching this year, while Indiana Jones and the Great Circle launched in December 2024, and The Elder Scrolls VI is far from its projected 2024 release.
The Oblivion remaster, initially listed as such in Microsoft's documents, is now the focus. The project's scope might have expanded, transforming it into a full remake. Official confirmation from Bethesda remains pending.
Platform speculation is rife. Given Microsoft's current multiplatform strategy and the anticipated release of the Nintendo Switch 2, Oblivion's potential release on platforms beyond PC, Xbox, and PlayStation is a possibility.
Leakers, including NateTheHate (who recently reported on the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal date), suggest a June release for the Oblivion remake. A simultaneous launch with the Switch 2, should the latter release around that time, is plausible.
Microsoft's upcoming Xbox Developer Direct next week will feature id Software's reveal of Doom: The Dark Ages. While Microsoft has teased a new game from an undisclosed developer, it's unlikely to be Oblivion. Jez Corden of Windows Central hinted that the mystery game is a "new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with decades of history."
