Bethesda is gearing up to officially unveil a remaster of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion on April 22. With multiple reliable leaks pointing to an unusual twist—the game might be available to play immediately after its announcement.
The company recently teased that “All will be revealed,” using visual elements that strongly reference Oblivion, including the Roman numeral “IV” and art reminiscent of the Imperial Guard.
According to information stemming from the Microsoft-FTC lawsuit documents, this remaster has been in development for at least a year. The project reportedly takes an innovative technical approach, using Unreal Engine 5 for enhanced visuals while retaining the original gameplay mechanics through Bethesda’s Creation Engine. Essentially giving the beloved RPG a modern visual overhaul without messing with its core gameplay.
The original Oblivion, released in 2006, stands as a watershed moment for open-world RPGs. Set in the fantasy realm of Cyrodiil, the game was revolutionary for its time with the Radiant AI system, vibrant environments, and ambitious scope.
Even though it ended up getting overshadowed by its successor, Skyrim in mainstream popularity, Oblivion still has a devoted fanbase who love its unique charm. Including its memorable quests and sometimes quirky character interactions.
The remaster is expected to come with all original downloadable content and expansions in what might be called a “Complete Edition.” While graphical improvements are a given, leaks suggest fans shouldn’t count on big changes to gameplay, since the priority seems to be keeping that classic Oblivion feel but with modern visuals.
This revival is part of a recent trend where major publishers are dusting off classic RPGs for new remasters, following in the footsteps of hits like Mass Effect Legendary Edition and Diablo II: Resurrected.
The timing is also interesting since it lines up with other games hitting the shelves, like Expedition 33 landing on Game Pass around the same window.
Bethesda leans into the hype
The “shadow drop” approach—announcing and releasing a game at the same time—would be a big change from the usual marketing playbook.
If this really happens, it takes advantage of the months of rumors and leaks that have basically done the advertising for Bethesda. This surprise launch has built serious anticipation among fans who have been following every bit of news and leak since the first hints popped up in court documents.
