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

Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed awe at the extent of the work done on Bethesda and Virtuos' newly released Oblivion Remastered. In a conversation with VideoGamer, Nesmith, who played a pivotal role in crafting the iconic 2006 RPG, praised the dedication that went into revitalizing every aspect of Cyrodiil. He was particularly surprised by the depth of changes, admitting, “I was assuming this was going to be a texture update,” but was blown away by the comprehensive overhaul, including new animations, an updated animation system, integration of the Unreal Engine, and modifications to the leveling system and user interface.

Despite the lack of official pre-launch announcements from Bethesda, the community has been overwhelmingly positive about the numerous changes, which range from visual enhancements to core gameplay mechanics. Features like the new sprint mechanic and revamped leveling system have led many, including Nesmith, to consider Oblivion Remastered more of a remake than a mere remaster. Nesmith suggested that the term "remaster" might not fully capture the scope of the project, hinting at the need for a new term to describe it, even proposing “Oblivion 2.0” as a potential label.

Bethesda, in a statement shared on social media, clarified their approach to the remaster. They emphasized that their goal was not to remake Oblivion but to enhance the original experience while making it accessible to new players. “We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil,” the statement read, expressing gratitude for the fans' support and hoping to deliver a fresh experience for all players, whether revisiting or exploring Cyrodiil for the first time.

Oblivion Remastered was unexpectedly released yesterday, available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers enjoying it at no additional cost. The surprise launch has sparked a renewed interest among the Elder Scrolls community, particularly within the modding scene. For those eager to dive in, a comprehensive guide awaits, featuring an Interactive Map, detailed Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and Guild Quests, tips on Character Building, and much more to enhance your journey through the reimagined world of Cyrodiil.