The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remake Will Reportedly Be Revealed Soon, and Released Not Long After That

Rumors are swirling that Bethesda is poised to announce a remake of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion in the coming weeks, with a release soon after. NatetheHate, a leaker with a proven track record (including accurately predicting the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement date), tweeted that the reveal is expected sometime this month or next. VGC corroborated this information. While the release date is less certain, NatetheHate suggests a pre-June launch, with VGC hinting at a possible April release.

In January, Mp1st reported on seemingly leaked details of the Oblivion remake, allegedly originating from a former employee at Virtuos, a video game support studio. Microsoft declined to comment when contacted by IGN.

According to Mp1st, Virtuos utilized Unreal Engine 5 for the remake, suggesting a substantial overhaul rather than a simple remaster. The report also detailed gameplay changes, including adjustments to Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reactions, and the HUD. Specifically, Blocking was reportedly redesigned to be less "boring" and "frustrating," drawing inspiration from action and Souls-like games. Other changes allegedly include improved Sneak icon highlighting, revamped damage calculations, a harder-to-trigger Stamina depletion knockdown, a redesigned HUD for better clarity, added hit reactions for clearer feedback, and modernized Archery mechanics in both first and third-person perspectives.

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Early whispers of an Oblivion remaster surfaced in 2023 when documents from the FTC versus Microsoft trial (regarding the Activision Blizzard acquisition) revealed several unannounced Bethesda games slated for release. This July 2020 list, compiled before Microsoft's purchase of ZeniMax Media, included:

Financial Year 2022:

• Oblivion Remaster
• Indiana Jones game

Financial Year 2023:

• Doom Year Zero and DLC
• Project Kestrel
• Project Platinum

Financial Year 2024:

• The Elder Scrolls 6
• Project Kestrel: Expansion
• Licensed IP Game
• Fallout 3 Remaster
• Ghostwire: Tokyo Sequel
• Dishonored 3
• DOOM Year Zero DLC

Many of these titles faced delays or cancellation. Doom Year Zero became Doom: The Dark Ages, launching in May. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle arrived in December 2024. The Elder Scrolls VI significantly missed its projected release window.

The Oblivion remaster, however, remains a point of focus. It's worth noting that the Microsoft document referred to it as a remaster. The project's scope may have since expanded into a full remake. The upcoming announcement will clarify this.

Regarding platforms, given Microsoft's current multiplatform strategy and the anticipated release of the Nintendo Switch 2, the Oblivion remake could launch on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and potentially the Switch 2, potentially aligning with the Switch 2's launch window (around June).