"Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remake Set for Imminent Reveal and Release"

Bethesda is reportedly gearing up to announce a highly anticipated remake of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion within the next few weeks, with a release expected to follow soon after. The news comes from NatetheHate, a leaker known for accurately predicting the announcement date of the Nintendo Switch 2, who tweeted that the Oblivion remake will be unveiled either this month or next month. This information has been corroborated by VGC.

While the exact release window remains somewhat unclear, NatetheHate suggests a launch before June, whereas VGC indicates it could be as early as April. This exciting development has fans eagerly awaiting more details on what promises to be a significant update to the beloved open-world RPG.

In January, Mp1st reported on details of the Oblivion remake that were seemingly released accidentally by a former employee at video game support studio Virtuos. Microsoft declined to comment when approached by IGN. According to Mp1st, Virtuos has utilized Unreal Engine 5 to completely remake Bethesda's classic game, suggesting a comprehensive overhaul rather than a simple remaster. The report also detailed several gameplay changes, including modifications to Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and the heads-up display (HUD).

The changes to Blocking were inspired by action games and Soulslikes, aiming to address the original system's perceived "boring" and "frustrating" nature. Sneak icons are now reportedly highlighted, with revamped damage calculations. The knockdown effect from depleted Stamina is said to be harder to trigger, and the HUD has been redesigned for better clarity. Additionally, hit reactions have been added to enhance responsiveness, and Archery has been modernized for both first and third-person perspectives.

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Rumors of an Oblivion remaster first surfaced in 2023 when documents from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) versus Microsoft trial over the acquisition of Activision Blizzard were published. These documents revealed a list of unannounced Bethesda games planned for release in the coming years. Compiled in July 2020, ahead of Microsoft's March 2021 purchase of Bethesda's parent company ZeniMax Media, the list 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

Several of these projects have been delayed or canceled. For instance, Doom Year Zero has been renamed to Doom: The Dark Ages and is set to launch in May, while Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was released in December 2024. The Elder Scrolls 6 did not meet its projected financial year 2024 release.

The focus now is on the Oblivion remake, which was initially referred to as a remaster in the Microsoft document. It appears that the project's scope may have expanded into a full-fledged remake. Fans are eagerly awaiting Bethesda's official announcement to uncover the details of this much-anticipated project.

As for the platforms, Microsoft is now committed to multiplatform releases, and with the Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon, the Oblivion remake could potentially be available on more than just PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. If the Switch 2 launches around June, the Oblivion remake might even be part of its launch lineup.