Oblivion Remake Leaks Reveal Key Details

Rumors of a potential The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion remake slated for a 2025 release have surfaced online, accompanied by a purported leak of game details.

Gaming news outlet Mp1st reported that a former employee of Virtuos, a video game support studio, inadvertently disclosed information about the unannounced project. Microsoft declined to comment when contacted by IGN.

According to Mp1st's report, Virtuos utilized Unreal Engine 5 to rebuild Bethesda's acclaimed open-world RPG, suggesting a substantial overhaul rather than a simple remaster. The leak allegedly detailed gameplay adjustments, including modifications to Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reactions, and the HUD.

Mp1st claims that the Blocking system was redesigned with action and Soulslike games in mind, addressing criticisms of the original's "boring" and "frustrating" mechanics. Sneak icons reportedly receive visual enhancements, damage calculations have been revised, and the Stamina depletion knockdown is allegedly harder to trigger. The HUD underwent a redesign for improved clarity. Additionally, hit reactions were implemented for clearer feedback, and Archery mechanics were supposedly modernized for 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. These documents, compiled in July 2020 before Microsoft's March 2021 purchase of ZeniMax Media (Bethesda's parent company), listed several unannounced Bethesda titles with projected release years. Many of these titles experienced delays or cancellations.

The Oblivion remaster, initially listed as such in the Microsoft document, is now the focus of speculation. The project's scope may have expanded from a remaster to a full-fledged remake. The official unveiling of this project, one of gaming's worst-kept secrets, is eagerly awaited.

Platform availability for the Oblivion remake remains uncertain. Given Microsoft's current multiplatform strategy and the anticipated release of the Nintendo Switch 2, the game could potentially launch on platforms beyond PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.

Industry leaker NateTheHate, who recently predicted the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal date, claims the Oblivion remake is scheduled for a June release. This timeframe aligns with rumored Switch 2 launch windows, suggesting a potential simultaneous release.

Microsoft's upcoming Xbox Developer Direct next week will feature id Software (a ZeniMax-owned studio) showcasing Doom: The Dark Ages. While Microsoft has teased a new game from an undisclosed developer, it's unlikely to be Oblivion. Windows Central's Jez Corden hinted that the mystery game is a new installment in a long-running Japanese franchise.