Exciting news for fans of the Elder Scrolls series: Bethesda is reportedly gearing up to announce a remake of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion in the coming weeks, with a release soon to follow. The announcement comes from NatetheHate, a credible source who previously accurately predicted the announcement date of the Nintendo Switch 2. His claim that the Oblivion remake will be revealed this month or next has been corroborated by VGC. While the exact release window remains somewhat unclear, NatetheHate suggests it might happen before June, whereas VGC speculates it could be as early as April.

Back in January, Mp1st uncovered what seemed to be accidentally leaked details about the Oblivion remake by a former employee at Virtuos, a video game support studio. When IGN reached out to Microsoft for a comment, they declined. According to Mp1st, Virtuos has utilized Unreal Engine 5 to completely rework Bethesda's beloved open-world RPG, hinting at a more ambitious project than a simple remaster. The reported changes include significant gameplay tweaks to Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and the heads-up display (HUD).

Mp1st detailed that the Blocking mechanic was revamped with influences from action games and Soulslikes, as the original was deemed too "boring" and "frustrating." Sneak icons are now reportedly highlighted, with a revamped damage calculation system. The knockdown effect from depleted Stamina is said to be harder to trigger, and the HUD has been redesigned for better clarity. Additionally, hit reactions have been added to enhance the game's responsiveness, and Archery has been modernized for both first and third-person views.

Rumors and Leaks

The first whispers of an Oblivion remaster surfaced in 2023 when documents from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) versus Microsoft trial over the Activision Blizzard acquisition were made public. These documents revealed a lineup of unannounced Bethesda games planned for future release, including an Oblivion Remaster slated for the 2022 financial year. However, it's possible that the project evolved into a full-blown remake. While many games on the list have been delayed or canceled, the anticipation for the Oblivion remake remains high.

Notably, Microsoft's shift towards multiplatform releases and the impending launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 could mean that the Oblivion remake will be available on more platforms than just PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. If the Switch 2 hits the market around June, the Oblivion remake might be part of its launch lineup, offering an exciting new way for gamers to experience this classic title.

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