"Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remaster Dubbed 'Oblivion 2.0' by Designer"

Senior game designer of the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Bruce Nesmith, has expressed that the newly released Oblivion Remastered by Bethesda and Virtuos is so transformative that he questions whether the term "remaster" truly reflects the extent of the changes. In a recent discussion with VideoGamer, Nesmith highlighted the immense effort poured into the original 2006 RPG, emphasizing the "blood, sweat, and tears" that went into creating every detail of Cyrodiil. The surprise and admiration he felt upon seeing the revamped version of Oblivion stems from the comprehensive overhaul of nearly every aspect of the game.

Nesmith initially anticipated a simple texture update, but was astounded by the complete transformation announced. "I was assuming this was going to be a texture update," he remarked. "I didn’t really think it was going to be the complete overhaul that they’ve announced it to be... I would not have batted an eye at that. But to completely redo the animations, the animation system, put in the Unreal Engine, change the leveling system, change the user interface. I mean, that’s, you’re touching every part of the game."

Despite the lack of official pre-launch announcements from Bethesda, the gaming community has largely been impressed by the myriad of changes in Oblivion Remastered. From subtle visual enhancements to significant gameplay modifications, the addition of a new sprint mechanic and alterations to the leveling system have led many to view it as more of a remake than a mere remaster. Nesmith himself leans towards this perspective, suggesting that the project could be better described as "Oblivion 2.0." He noted, "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 also attempted to encapsulate the essence of Oblivion Remastered, stating, "The closest that could come [to categorising it] is Oblivion 2.0."

As fans celebrate the meticulous work behind Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda has shared its reasoning behind the title of this RPG re-release. In a social media statement, the studio clarified that their goal was not to remake Oblivion but to preserve the beloved experience while updating it for a new audience, "warts and all." They expressed their gratitude to fans and their hope that both new and returning players would feel the thrill of discovery upon stepping out of the Imperial sewer.

"We know many of our longtime fans will be thrilled to revisit Oblivion and the land of Cyrodiil," Bethesda’s statement added. "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 surprise drop by Bethesda. It's now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, and is included at no additional cost for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. The modding community has responded enthusiastically to this unexpected launch, further reinvigorating the Elder Scrolls community.

For those eager to dive into the revamped world of Cyrodiil, we offer a comprehensive guide covering everything in Oblivion Remastered. This includes an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, and much more.