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

Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has praised the remastered version developed by Bethesda and Virtuos, suggesting that the term "remaster" might not fully capture the extent of the changes made. In a recent discussion with VideoGamer, Nesmith highlighted the immense effort that went into recreating the 2006 RPG, expressing his surprise at the comprehensive reimagining of Cyrodiil.

"I was expecting a simple texture update," Nesmith remarked. "But they've gone far beyond that, completely overhauling the game. From the animations and the animation system to integrating the Unreal Engine, and revamping the leveling system and user interface, they've touched every part of the game."

Although Bethesda kept Oblivion Remastered under wraps until its surprise launch, the community has been overwhelmingly positive about the extensive modifications. These range from visual enhancements to significant gameplay adjustments, including a new sprint mechanic and alterations to the leveling system. Many, including Nesmith, feel that Oblivion Remastered is closer to a remake than a mere remaster. Nesmith even proposed the term "Oblivion 2.0" to describe the project, emphasizing the magnitude of the changes: "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 conversation, Nesmith further attempted to categorize the remaster, suggesting "Oblivion 2.0" as a fitting label. As fans celebrate the revamped version, Bethesda has shared its reasoning behind the naming of the RPG re-release. In a statement released on social media, the studio clarified that their goal was not to remake Oblivion but to modernize it while preserving the essence that fans cherish, warts and all.

"We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil," Bethesda stated. "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, available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can access it at no additional cost. The surprise launch has reinvigorated the Elder Scrolls community, particularly among the modding enthusiasts. For a deeper dive into the remastered experience, we offer a comprehensive guide covering everything from an Interactive Map and complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and Guild Quests, to tips on building the perfect character and things to do first.