Oblivion Remake Details Leak Online

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remake, rumored to be in development and slated for release in 2025, has sparked significant interest after an alleged leak surfaced online. According to a report by Mp1st, the leak came from a former employee at video game support studio Virtuos, detailing the unannounced project. Microsoft, when approached by IGN, chose not to comment on the matter.

The leak suggests that Virtuos has undertaken a comprehensive remake of Bethesda's beloved open-world RPG, utilizing Unreal Engine 5. This indicates a substantial overhaul, moving beyond a simple remaster. Key gameplay elements such as Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and the HUD are said to have been revamped. Notably, the Blocking mechanic has been redesigned to draw inspiration from action games and Soulslikes, addressing the original's perceived shortcomings of being "boring" and "frustrating." Additionally, Sneak icons are now highlighted, damage calculations have been updated, and the knockdown effect from depleted Stamina is harder to trigger. The HUD has been redesigned for better clarity, hit reactions have been added for improved feedback, and Archery mechanics have been modernized for both first and third-person perspectives.

The possibility of an Oblivion remaster was first hinted at in 2023 when documents from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) versus Microsoft trial over the Activision Blizzard acquisition were made public. These documents, compiled in July 2020 before Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda's parent company ZeniMax Media in March 2021, listed several unannounced Bethesda titles, including an "Oblivion Remaster" for financial year 2022. Other titles mentioned included an Indiana Jones game, Doom Year Zero with DLC, Project Kestrel, Project Platinum, The Elder Scrolls 6, a licensed IP game, a Fallout 3 Remaster, a Ghostwire: Tokyo sequel, Dishonored 3, and more DLC for Doom Year Zero. However, several of these projects have been delayed or canceled, with Doom Year Zero now rebranded as Doom: The Dark Ages, set to launch this year, and the Indiana Jones game, titled Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, not launching until December 2024.

The leaked information raises questions about the project's scope, as the Microsoft document referred to it as a "remaster," while the recent leak suggests a more ambitious "remake." The exact nature of the project will likely be clarified once Bethesda officially announces it.

Regarding platform availability, Microsoft's recent shift towards multiplatform releases suggests that the Oblivion remake could be available on more than just PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. With the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon, there's speculation that the game might also launch on this new console. Leaker NateTheHate has reported that the Oblivion remake is set to launch in June, potentially aligning with the rumored release window of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Next week, Microsoft is set to host an Xbox Developer Direct, where id Software, owned by ZeniMax, will provide more details on Doom: The Dark Ages. While Microsoft has teased the reveal of a new game from a mystery developer, it appears unlikely that this will be the Oblivion remake. Instead, Windows Central’s Jez Corden has hinted that the game is a new entry in a legendary Japanese IP with a long history, promising to delight many fans.