"Oblivion Remake Details Leak Online"

Rumors are swirling about a potential remake of *The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion*, with reports suggesting that the game is being revamped for a 2025 release. Details purportedly leaked by a former employee at Virtuos, a video game support studio, have surfaced online, as reported by Mp1st. When contacted by IGN, Microsoft chose not to comment on the matter.

According to the leaked information, Virtuos is using Unreal Engine 5 to recreate Bethesda's iconic open-world RPG, indicating a major overhaul rather than a simple remaster. The remake is said to include several gameplay changes, such as modifications to Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and the heads-up display (HUD). The blocking system, in particular, has been revamped to align more with action games and Soulslikes, addressing the original's "boring" and "frustrating" mechanics. Sneak icons are reportedly more visible, with updated damage calculations. The threshold for triggering a knockdown due to depleted Stamina has been made more challenging. Additionally, the HUD has been redesigned for clarity, hit reactions have been enhanced for better feedback, and Archery has been modernized for both first and third-person views.

The idea of an Oblivion remaster first surfaced in 2023, following the revelation of unannounced Bethesda games in documents from the FTC versus Microsoft trial concerning the Activision Blizzard acquisition. A list compiled in July 2020, before Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media in March 2021, included an *Oblivion Remaster* slated for the 2022 financial year alongside other titles. However, many of these projects have been delayed or canceled. For instance, *Doom Year Zero* has been renamed *Doom: The Dark Ages* and is set to launch this year, while *Indiana Jones and the Great Circle* was delayed until December 2024, and *The Elder Scrolls 6* did not meet its planned 2024 financial year release.

The term "remaster" used in the Microsoft documents for Oblivion suggests a less ambitious project than the rumored remake. It's possible that the scope of the project evolved over time, leading Bethesda to opt for a more comprehensive remake. The gaming community eagerly awaits official confirmation from Bethesda to clear up the speculation.

As for the platforms on which the *Oblivion* remake might launch, Microsoft's recent strategy leans toward multiplatform releases. With the anticipated arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2, it's conceivable that the game could be available on more platforms than just PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. Leaker NateTheHate has suggested that the *Oblivion* remake could launch as early as June, potentially aligning with the launch window of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Next week, Microsoft's Xbox Developer Direct event is set to feature more information on *Doom: The Dark Ages* from ZeniMax-owned id Software. While Microsoft has teased the reveal of a new game from a mystery developer, it appears unlikely to be the *Oblivion* remake. Instead, Windows Central's Jez Corden hinted that the game could be "a new entry in a legendary Japanese IP which has decades of history, and should make a lot of fans happy."