The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remake Details Reportedly Leak Online

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remake, reported to be in the works and set for release in 2025, has seen an alleged list of details leak onto the internet.

Mp1st reported that details for the unannounced game were accidentally released by a former employee at video game support studio Virtuos. Microsoft declined to comment when contacted by IGN.

According to Mp1st, Virtuos has remade Bethesda’s much-loved open world role-playing game using Unreal Engine 5, which suggests a significant rework rather than a more straightforward remaster. Gameplay changes were also allegedly detailed, including tweaks to Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and the heads-up display (HUD).

As reported by Mp1st, Blocking was changed with action games and Soulslikes in mind because the original system was too “boring” and “frustrating.” Sneak icons are now allegedly highlighted, with damage calculation revamped. The knockdown that comes from Stamina being depleted is reportedly harder to trigger. And the HUD was redesigned to make it easier to understand. Elsewhere, hit reactions were added to make response clearer, and Archery was reportedly modernized in both first and third-person perspectives.

Word of an Oblivion remaster emerged in 2023 when documents published as part of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) versus Microsoft trial over the buyout of Activision Blizzard revealed a number of unannounced Bethesda games set for release in the years ahead. The list, put together in July 2020 ahead of Microsoft’s March 2021 purchase of Bethesda parent company ZeniMax Media, included the following:

Financial year 2022:

• Oblivion Remaster
• Indiana Jones game

Financial year 2023

• Doom Year Zero and DLC
• Project Kestrel
• Project Platinum

Financial year 2024

• The Elder Scrolls 6
• Project Kestrel: Expansion
• Licensed IP Game
• Fallout 3 Remaster
• Ghostwire: Tokyo Sequel
• Dishonored 3
• DOOM Year Zero DLC

Obviously a number of these games were either delayed or outright canceled. Doom Year Zero is now Doom: The Dark Ages and set for launch this year. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle didn’t launch until December 2024. And The Elder Scrolls 6 got nowhere near financial year 2024.

That Oblivion remaster is what we’re concerned about now, though. And it’s worth noting it was called a remaster in the Microsoft document. Perhaps the scope of the project changed and Bethesda went big on a remake. We’ll find out when the company finally unveils what has become one of the worst-kept secrets in all video games.

Meanwhile, which platforms will the Oblivion remake launch on? Microsoft is all-in on multiplatform releases now, and with the Nintendo Switch 2 waiting in the wings, Oblivion may open its gates to more than just PC, Xbox, and PlayStation players.

Leaker NateTheHate, who this week reported on the alleged release date of Nintendo’s Switch 2 reveal, has said the Oblivion remake is set to launch this June. If the Switch 2 comes out around that time, as has been reported, perhaps Oblivion will make the console’s launch window.

Microsoft has an Xbox Developer Direct set for next week, and there ZeniMax-owned id Software will reveal more on Doom: The Dark Ages. Microsoft has teased it will also reveal a brand new game from a mystery developer, but it doesn’t sound like it will be Oblivion. Windows Central’s Jez Corden has teased the game is “a new entry in a legendary Japanese IP which has decades of history, and should make a lot of fans happy.”

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.