Excitement is brewing among fans of The Elder Scrolls series as Bethesda is reportedly gearing up to announce a remake of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. According to NatetheHate, a reliable source who previously nailed the announcement date for the Nintendo Switch 2, the reveal could happen either this month or next. This information has been corroborated by VGC, adding credibility to the buzz. The release timeline, however, remains a bit more uncertain. NatetheHate suggests a launch before June, while VGC hints at a possible release as early as April.
In January, Mp1st shed light on the project after a former employee at Virtuos, a video game support studio, accidentally leaked details. Microsoft, when approached by IGN for comment, remained silent. According to Mp1st, Virtuos is revamping Bethesda's beloved open-world RPG using the powerful Unreal Engine 5, signaling a comprehensive remake rather than a simple remaster. The gameplay is said to be enhanced with changes to mechanics like Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and the HUD. Notably, the Blocking mechanic has been revamped to be more engaging, drawing inspiration from action games and Soulslikes. Sneak mechanics have been tweaked with more visible icons and revamped damage calculations, while the Stamina depletion effect is harder to trigger. The HUD has been redesigned for clarity, and hit reactions have been added for more responsive gameplay. Archery has also been modernized for both first and third-person perspectives.
Rumors of an Oblivion remaster first surfaced in 2023 during the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) versus Microsoft trial over the Activision Blizzard acquisition. Documents revealed a lineup of unannounced Bethesda titles, including an Oblivion Remaster slated for the financial year 2022. However, many projects listed, such as Doom Year Zero and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, faced delays or changes. Doom Year Zero has since been rebranded as Doom: The Dark Ages with a May release date, while Indiana Jones and the Great Circle didn't launch until December 2024. The Elder Scrolls 6 also missed its initial target window. The document referred to the Oblivion project as a remaster, but it appears Bethesda may have shifted gears to a full-blown remake.
As for the platforms, with Microsoft now focusing on multiplatform releases and the anticipated arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2, the Oblivion remake could be available across PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and potentially the Switch 2. If the Switch 2 launches around June, it's conceivable that Oblivion might be part of its launch lineup, expanding its reach to an even broader audience.
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