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

Bruce Nesmith, a senior game designer behind the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed awe at the work done on Bethesda and Virtuos' Oblivion Remastered. In his view, the term "remaster" might not fully capture the extent of the overhaul. During a conversation with VideoGamer, Nesmith highlighted the immense effort poured into the original game and his surprise at seeing it reimagined so thoroughly.

“I was expecting a simple texture update,” Nesmith admitted. “But they've gone beyond that with a complete overhaul. They've revamped the animations, introduced a new animation system, integrated the Unreal Engine, and altered both the leveling system and user interface. They’ve touched every aspect of the game.”

Despite no prior announcement from Bethesda, the release of Oblivion Remastered has left fans impressed with its extensive changes. From minor visual enhancements to significant gameplay adjustments, including a new sprint mechanic and modifications to the leveling system, many consider it more of a remake than a remaster. Nesmith concurs, suggesting it might even warrant its own category, dubbing it "Oblivion 2.0." He emphasized the magnitude of the update, questioning if "remaster" truly reflects the scale of the work done.

In his discussion, Nesmith attempted to classify the project: “The closest that could come [to categorising it] is Oblivion 2.0.”

As fans celebrate the meticulous effort put into Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda has shared its perspective on the project's naming. In a social media statement, the studio clarified that a full remake was never the intention. Instead, they aimed to preserve the beloved experience while updating it for a new audience, imperfections 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 surprise drop by Bethesda. It's now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, and accessible at no additional cost for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. The modding community has responded enthusiastically to this unexpected launch. For a detailed look at what's new, check out our comprehensive guide, which includes an Interactive Map, full Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and Guild Quests, tips on Building the Perfect Character, and much more.