"Oblivion Designer Praises Bethesda's Remaster as 'Oblivion 2.0'"

Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed awe at Bethesda and Virtuos' work on the newly released Oblivion Remastered, suggesting that the term "remaster" might not fully encapsulate the extent of the changes made. In a conversation with VideoGamer, Nesmith reflected on the immense effort that went into creating the original 2006 RPG and was astounded by the comprehensive overhaul presented in the remaster.

"I was assuming this was going to be a texture update," Nesmith remarked. "I didn’t really think it was going to be the complete overhaul that they’ve announced it to be... I would not have batted an eye at that. But to completely redo the animations, the animation system, put in the Unreal Engine, change the leveling system, change the user interface. I mean, that’s touching every part of the game."

Although Bethesda kept the project under wraps until its surprise launch, fans have been largely impressed by the myriad changes, ranging from visual enhancements to core gameplay modifications. Features such as a new sprint mechanic and adjustments to the leveling system have led many to feel that Oblivion Remastered is closer to a remake than a mere remaster, a sentiment echoed by Nesmith.

"The closest that could come [to categorising it] is Oblivion 2.0," Nesmith stated. "That’s a staggering amount of remastering. It almost needs its own word, quite frankly. I’m not sure remaster actually does it justice."

In the same discussion, Nesmith attempted to define the scope of the remaster: "The closest that could come [to categorising it] is Oblivion 2.0."

As the community celebrates the meticulous work behind Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda shared insights into their naming decision for the RPG re-release. In a social media statement, the studio clarified that they "never wanted to remake" Oblivion but rather aimed to preserve the beloved experience while updating it for a new audience, imperfections included.

"We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil," the statement from Bethesda continued. "But there are also so many who have never played it. We can’t thank you enough for all the support you have given us and our games over the years. Our hope with this remaster is, that no matter who you are, when you step out of the Imperial sewer – you feel like you’re experiencing it for the first time."

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered was unveiled and released as a shadow drop by Bethesda, now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can enjoy it at no additional cost. The modding community has responded enthusiastically to the surprise launch, further invigorating the Elder Scrolls community.

For those eager to dive into the revamped world of Cyrodiil, we offer a comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered. This includes an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, and much more.