Xbox and Bethesda are supposedly going to “shadow drop” an Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion remake — really?

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There’s been talk circulating for quite some time that Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion might be receiving an update or reimagining of sorts.

From what I remember, there were reports about it back when NVIDIA documents were first leaked a few years ago, and more mentions came up in FTC documents during the Xbox-Activision acquisition court case. Additionally, throughout this year, trustworthy sources like NateTheHate have hinted that its arrival might be imminent rather than delayed.

Currently, well-respected journalist Jeff Grubb has again endorsed the rumor during a recent Giantbomb broadcast, as reported by PSU.com.

Essentially, the final week of this month, which is next week, is when we can expect the Oblivion remake to release. I’ve received separate confirmation that this is indeed the plan, so it will be a surprise release, or a shadow drop, during the last week of the month.

I’ve confirmed the information provided through some of my personal resources, which support the statement. However, I haven’t found enough separate sources to write a full report just yet – but Jeff Grubb and NateTheHate are usually reliable. Combined with FTC documents, past leaks from presumed former employees, and other rumors, it seems reasonable to infer that there’s enough evidence to suggest this could be true.

But, why?

This is one of the reasons publishers undoubtedly hate leaks at the end of the day.

If you’re unfamiliar, Oblivion holds a special place – it’s a well-respected role-playing game (RPG) in Bethesda’s collection. It stands between Morrowind and the equally legendary Skyrim. For me, Oblivion marked my return to an open RPG since the era of isometric CRPGs, and I must say, it left quite an impression on me.

As a tech enthusiast diving into gaming, I’d say that this game revolves around me exploring the Imperial homelands of Cyrodiil, where demonic cults are opening up portals to what seems like Elder Scrolls’ version of hell. Back in its day, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion paved the way for immersive open-world RPGs, offering a wide array of races and playstyles that spawned countless internet memes, many of which are still popular today.

This is why I find it debatable if it’s beneficial to introduce such a renowned figure without much prior hype or promotion, as it seems abrupt.

Previously, Oblivion has experienced some unofficial upgrades on the Xbox Series X|S due to features such as FPS Boost through backwards compatibility. However, whispers have hinted that these could be complete updates using Unreal Engine, in collaboration with Virtuos, rather than just enhancements.

Virtuos was responsible for crafting the latest Demon’s Souls remake and has provided assistance on numerous other projects such as Sea of Thieves and Age of Mythology: Remastered. Currently, they are developing Metal Gear Solid 3: Delta, which appears to be truly spectacular.

If the remake of Oblivion matches or even surpasses the quality of Metal Gear Solid 3: Delta, and it’s not merely a high-definition reskin, wouldn’t a comprehensive marketing campaign be more appropriate than a covert release, often referred to as a “shadow drop”?

As I mentioned earlier, publishers dislike leaks because they can disrupt plans. This potential remake might not necessitate a grand marketing push like Metal Gear Solid 3: Delta or Silent Hill 2 did. However, due to past rumors, it appears many are anticipating something more spectacular from this project.

It’s possible that Oblivion is famous enough, and widely recognized, that it doesn’t require an introduction. Xbox Game Pass might be responsible for its popularity, as it’s likely to debut there. Additionally, Xbox and Bethesda could have something intriguing in store to mark the release of the Oblivion remake. In any case, I’ve contacted both Microsoft and ZeniMax for comment.

While we wait to find out of it’s true, let me know, what do you think? Hit our comments.

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2025-04-15 13:39