Bethesda is reportedly preparing to officially unveil its highly anticipated The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion remake within the coming weeks, with a release expected shortly thereafter.
This information comes from NatetheHate, a source known for accurately predicting the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement date. According to his recent tweet, the Oblivion remake will likely be revealed either this month or next. This timeline was further supported by VGC, adding credibility to the rumor. As for the release window, NatetheHate suggests it could arrive as early as April, though VGC notes it may extend into June.
A report from Mp1st in January added more depth to the speculation, citing what appeared to be leaked details accidentally shared by a former employee of Virtuos—a studio known for providing technical support on major game projects. Microsoft declined to comment when contacted by IGN.
According to Mp1st, Virtuos has been working on Oblivion using Unreal Engine 5, indicating that this is not just a simple graphical enhancement but a full-scale remake. The gameplay mechanics are also said to have undergone significant revisions, including updates to Stamina management, Sneak mode, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reactions, and the overall Heads-Up Display (HUD).
Notably, the Blocking system has been reworked with modern action and Soulslike games in mind, aiming to eliminate the original’s “boring” and “frustrating” feel. Sneak detection icons are now highlighted, damage calculations have been overhauled, and knockdown effects caused by Stamina depletion are reportedly harder to trigger. The HUD has been redesigned for clarity, and hit reactions were added to improve player feedback. Archery controls were also updated to offer better precision in both first and third-person views.
A Look at The Elder Scrolls Series
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The idea of an Oblivion remaster first gained traction back in 2023, following the release of internal documents during the Federal Trade Commission's legal battle with Microsoft over the Activision Blizzard acquisition. These documents, dated from July 2020—before Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda’s parent company ZeniMax Media in March 2021—included a list of upcoming Bethesda titles:
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 VI
- Project Kestrel Expansion
- Licensed IP Game
- Fallout 3 Remaster
- Ghostwire: Tokyo Sequel
- Dishonored III
- DOOM Year Zero DLC
Clearly, many of these titles experienced delays or were canceled outright. For instance, Doom Year Zero is now Doom: The Dark Ages, set for a May 2025 launch. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle didn’t arrive until December 2024, and The Elder Scrolls VI remains far from completion.
Still, the inclusion of Oblivion Remaster in those early planning documents shows long-term interest in revisiting the classic RPG. While initially labeled a "remaster," the current scope appears to have expanded into a full-fledged remake—an evolution that fans are likely to appreciate once officially confirmed.
As for platforms, Microsoft has shifted toward a multiplatform strategy, so it’s possible the Oblivion remake won’t be exclusive to PC and Xbox. With rumors swirling around a June launch window for the Nintendo Switch 2, there's a strong chance Oblivion could debut across multiple consoles, potentially even serving as a launch title for the new Switch hardware.
