The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remake, rumored to be in development and slated for a 2025 release, has stirred excitement with leaked details surfacing online. According to Mp1st, a former employee at Virtuos, a video game support studio, inadvertently disclosed information about the unannounced project. Despite Microsoft's silence when approached by IGN, the leaks suggest that Virtuos is remaking Bethesda's iconic open-world RPG using Unreal Engine 5, hinting at a comprehensive overhaul rather than a simple remaster.

The leaks from Mp1st detail significant gameplay modifications, including adjustments to Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and the user interface's heads-up display (HUD). The changes to Blocking aim to align the mechanics with action games and Soulslikes, addressing the original's perceived "boring" and "frustrating" nature. Sneak icons are reportedly more visible, with a revamped damage calculation system. The threshold for triggering a knockdown from depleted Stamina is said to be higher, and the HUD has been redesigned for better clarity. Hit reactions have been added to enhance responsiveness, and Archery mechanics have been updated for both first and third-person views.

Speculation about an Oblivion remaster began in 2023 when documents from the FTC vs. Microsoft trial over the Activision Blizzard acquisition revealed a list of unannounced Bethesda projects planned for future release. Compiled in July 2020 before Microsoft's purchase of ZeniMax Media in March 2021, the list included an "Oblivion Remaster" slated for financial year 2022, among other titles. However, many of these projects were delayed or canceled, with Doom Year Zero rebranded as Doom: The Dark Ages, set for a 2024 launch, and the Indiana Jones game, titled Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, delayed until December 2024. The Elder Scrolls 6 also missed its projected timeline.

The shift from a remaster to a full remake for Oblivion is a notable development, suggesting a more ambitious project than initially planned. As we await official confirmation, speculation about the platforms for the Oblivion remake abounds. With Microsoft embracing multiplatform releases and the anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, the game could potentially expand beyond PC, Xbox, and PlayStation to include the new Nintendo console.

Leaker NateTheHate has suggested that the Oblivion remake could launch in June 2025, coinciding with the rumored release window of the Nintendo Switch 2. Meanwhile, Microsoft's upcoming Xbox Developer Direct promises new information on Doom: The Dark Ages from id Software, though it seems unlikely that the Oblivion remake will be unveiled there. Instead, Microsoft has hinted at revealing a new game from a legendary Japanese IP, which Windows Central's Jez Corden has described as a title that should excite many fans.

As we eagerly await further details, the Oblivion remake continues to be one of the most anticipated and discussed projects in the gaming community.