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Why a Remake of Oblivion Would Be Welcome, Yet Bethesda Should Explore Deeper Enhancements

Why a Remake of Oblivion Would Be Welcome, Yet Bethesda Should Explore Deeper Enhancements

In September 2023, substantial leaks emerged from the ongoing FTC v. Microsoft litigation, revealing multiple confidential documents to the public. Among these disclosures was an outline of projects Bethesda had been developing prior to their acquisition by Microsoft. The list included an anticipated remaster of Fallout 3 scheduled for 2024, a prequel to Doom intended for release in 2023, and a remaster of Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion which was expected in 2022. While years have passed since these projects reportedly began, fans continue to hope for an Oblivion remaster, especially with the upcoming release of the Doom prequel, titled Doom: The Dark Ages, set for May.

The excitement surrounding a potential Oblivion remaster has only intensified in recent months. Numerous industry insiders have suggested that the rumors of a remake or remaster for Oblivion are valid and still in the pipeline. Although some enthusiasts speculated that this long-awaited remaster would be unveiled during Xbox’s recent Developer Direct event, there remains optimism for a reveal at the forthcoming summer showcase.

The Case for Remaking The Elder Scrolls Series from Its Inception

Elder Scrolls: Arena
Morrowind Rebirth Update
Morrowind Skyline
Elder Scrolls: Daggerfall
Daggerfall Map Size
The Elder Scrolls: Arena

Remakes of Arena and Daggerfall Could Create the Largest Sandbox Experience Yet

The Elder Scrolls: Arena and Daggerfall, released in 1994 and 1996, remain two of the largest entries in the franchise’s history. Arena allows players the freedom to traverse all of Tamriel, while Daggerfall, although limited to High Rock and Hammerfell, boasts an staggering number of over 15, 000 cities, towns, and dungeons.

Achieving this extensive content in the 1990s required Bethesda to employ advanced procedural generation techniques for most quests and dungeons. A modern remake of these titles could leverage contemporary procedural generation technologies, addressing issues from the originals, such as incomplete quests and convoluted dungeon designs.

A Morrowind Remake Could Arrive at an Ideal Moment

In recent years, The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind has gained significant popularity among fans, largely due to its immersive gameplay that encourages exploration without the guidance of explicit quest markers. Players engage with NPCs to gather information, offering a freedom of choice that many hope to see revived in future Elder Scrolls games. A remake of Morrowind could beautifully encapsulate this immersive experience.

The timing for a Morrowind remake appears opportune, as the recent release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has introduced a new audience to the immersive sim genre. Consequently, new players may be more receptive to Morrowind’s intricate gameplay mechanics and exploratory nature. While the dedicated modding community has remarkably enhanced Morrowind in many ways, a high-budget, fully realized remake from Bethesda could offer an unparalleled experience, provided it retains the beloved features that made the original so exceptional.

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