"Oblivion Designer Praises Bethesda's Impressive Remaster: 'Oblivion 2.0'"

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion senior game designer Bruce Nesmith has expressed his awe at the work done on Bethesda and Virtuos' Oblivion Remastered, suggesting that the term "remaster" might not fully capture the extent of the transformation. In a recent discussion with VideoGamer, Nesmith, who played a pivotal role in crafting the original 2006 RPG, shared his astonishment at the comprehensive overhaul of the game. He highlighted the immense effort invested in recreating every aspect of Cyrodiil, making the reimagined version a profound surprise.

"I was expecting a simple texture update," Nesmith remarked. "But what they've announced is a complete overhaul... I would not have been surprised at that. Yet, to see them redo the animations, the animation system, integrate the Unreal Engine, revamp the leveling system, and overhaul the user interface, they're touching every part of the game."

Although Bethesda kept details under wraps until the surprise launch yesterday, fans have been overwhelmingly impressed with the extensive changes. These range from superficial visual enhancements to significant gameplay adjustments. Features like a new sprint mechanic and alterations to the leveling system have led many, including Nesmith, to view Oblivion Remastered more as a remake than a remaster.

Nesmith suggested that the closest label for this project might be "Oblivion 2.0." He emphasized, "That's a staggering amount of remastering. It almost needs its own word. I'm not sure 'remaster' actually does it justice."

In his conversation, Nesmith labeled the remastered version as "Oblivion 2.0," reflecting the magnitude of the update. As fans celebrate the meticulous work poured into Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda has offered its own perspective on the naming of this RPG re-release. In a social media statement yesterday, the studio clarified that it "never wanted to remake" Oblivion. Their goal was to preserve the core experience cherished by players while modernizing it for a new audience, imperfections included.

"We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil," Bethesda's statement continued. "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 yesterday in a surprise move by Bethesda. You can explore its reimagined Cyrodiil on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S right away. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can enjoy it at no additional cost. For more insights into how Oblivion Remastered has rejuvenated the Elder Scrolls community, see how the modding community has reacted to this unexpected launch.

We offer a comprehensive guide to everything in Oblivion Remastered, including an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, advice on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, and much more.