"Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remaster Dubbed 'Oblivion 2.0' by Designer"

Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed his awe at Bethesda and Virtuos' work on the newly released Oblivion Remastered. In a recent interview with VideoGamer, Nesmith highlighted the extensive efforts that went into the original game's creation, emphasizing the "blood, sweat, and tears" poured into every detail of Cyrodiil. He was taken aback by the comprehensive transformation seen in the remastered version.

“I was assuming this was going to be a texture update,” Nesmith admitted. “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, integrate the Unreal Engine, modify the leveling system, and revamp the user interface – they’re touching every part of the game.”

Bethesda kept Oblivion Remastered under wraps until its sudden release yesterday. The community has been overwhelmingly positive about the myriad of changes, from subtle visual enhancements to significant gameplay adjustments. New features like the sprint mechanic and alterations to the leveling system have led many to view Oblivion Remastered as more of a remake than a mere remaster, a sentiment echoed by Nesmith himself.

“The closest that could come [to categorising it] is Oblivion 2.0,” Nesmith remarked. “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 his discussion, Nesmith further described the remastered version, suggesting it could be labeled as “Oblivion 2.0.”

As the fanbase celebrates the meticulous work on Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda has shared its reasoning behind the title of their RPG re-release. In a social media statement yesterday, the studio clarified that their intention was not to remake Oblivion but to preserve the cherished experience while modernizing it for new players, warts and all.

“We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil,” the statement from Bethesda read. “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 unexpectedly unveiled and released yesterday as a shadow drop by Bethesda. It's now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, and included at no additional cost for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. For insights into how Oblivion Remastered has revitalized the Elder Scrolls community, you can explore the reactions from the modding community following this surprise launch.

We provide a thorough guide to everything in Oblivion Remastered, featuring an extensive Interactive Map, full Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and all Guild Quests, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, and much more.