"Oblivion Remake Details Leak Online"

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remake, rumored to be in development and slated for a 2025 release, has sparked excitement and speculation after an alleged leak surfaced online. According to Mp1st, details of the unannounced game were inadvertently disclosed by a former employee at Virtuos, a video game support studio. When approached by IGN, Microsoft chose not to comment on the leak.

Mp1st reports that Virtuos has crafted a comprehensive remake of Bethesda's iconic open-world RPG using Unreal Engine 5, indicating a substantial overhaul rather than a simple remaster. The leak suggests numerous gameplay changes, including modifications to Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and the heads-up display (HUD).

Reportedly, the Blocking mechanic has been revamped with influences from action games and Soulslikes, addressing the original system's "boring" and "frustrating" nature. Sneak icons are now highlighted, and damage calculations have been reworked. The threshold for triggering a knockdown from depleted Stamina is reportedly higher. Additionally, the HUD has been redesigned for clarity, hit reactions have been introduced for better responsiveness, and Archery mechanics have been modernized for both first and third-person views.

Rumors of an Oblivion remaster first surfaced in 2023 during the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) versus Microsoft trial regarding the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. A list of unannounced Bethesda projects, compiled in July 2020 before Microsoft's purchase of ZeniMax Media in March 2021, included an "Oblivion Remaster" slated for the 2022 financial year. However, several of the listed projects faced delays or cancellations, with some like Doom Year Zero being renamed to Doom: The Dark Ages and set for a 2024 release, and others like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle not launching until December 2024.

Interestingly, the leaked document referred to the project as a "remaster," raising questions about whether its scope evolved into a full-fledged remake. The gaming community eagerly awaits an official announcement to clarify the project's true nature.

As for the platforms on which the Oblivion remake will be available, Microsoft's recent shift toward multiplatform releases suggests it might extend beyond PC, Xbox, and PlayStation to include the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Leaker NateTheHate has speculated that the Oblivion remake could launch as early as June 2025, potentially aligning with the Switch 2's release window.

Next week, Microsoft's Xbox Developer Direct event will feature more details on Doom: The Dark Ages from id Software, another ZeniMax-owned studio. While the event will also introduce a new game from a mysterious developer, it does not appear to be related to the Oblivion remake. Windows Central's Jez Corden hinted that this new title is a fresh entry in a long-standing Japanese franchise, promising to delight fans.