The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remake, rumored to be in development and slated for a 2025 release, has been the subject of a recent leak. According to Mp1st, details of this unannounced project were inadvertently disclosed by a former employee at the video game support studio Virtuos. Microsoft, when approached by IGN for comment, chose not to respond.

Mp1st claims that Virtuos has utilized Unreal Engine 5 to completely remake Bethesda's beloved open-world RPG, suggesting a comprehensive overhaul rather than a simple remaster. The leak also detailed various gameplay modifications, including adjustments to Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and the heads-up display (HUD).

Reportedly, the Blocking mechanics have been revamped to draw inspiration from action games and Soulslikes, addressing the original system's perceived shortcomings of being "boring" and "frustrating." Sneak icons are said to be more prominent, with damage calculations revised. The effect of depleting Stamina resulting in a knockdown has been made more challenging to achieve. The HUD has been redesigned for clarity, hit reactions have been introduced for better feedback, and Archery mechanics have been updated 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 concerning the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Documents from this trial, compiled in July 2020 before Microsoft's March 2021 purchase of ZeniMax Media, listed several unannounced Bethesda projects, including:

• Financial year 2022:

  • Oblivion Remaster
  • Indiana Jones game

• Financial year 2023:

  • Doom Year Zero and DLC
  • Project Kestrel
  • Project Platinum

• Financial year 2024:

  • The Elder Scrolls 6
  • Project Kestrel: Expansion
  • Licensed IP Game
  • Fallout 3 Remaster
  • Ghostwire: Tokyo Sequel
  • Dishonored 3
  • DOOM Year Zero DLC

Many of these projects have faced delays or cancellations. For instance, Doom Year Zero has been renamed Doom: The Dark Ages and is scheduled for release this year, while Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was released in December 2024. The Elder Scrolls 6 did not meet its financial year 2024 target.

The leaked document referred to the Oblivion project as a "remaster," but it appears the scope may have evolved into a full-fledged remake. The gaming community eagerly awaits an official announcement to clarify these details.

Regarding platform availability, Microsoft's commitment to multiplatform releases suggests that the Oblivion remake could be accessible on more than just PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, possibly including the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Leaker NateTheHate has speculated that the Oblivion remake might launch in June, potentially aligning with the rumored release window of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Next week, Microsoft will host an Xbox Developer Direct where id Software, owned by ZeniMax, will provide further details on Doom: The Dark Ages. While Microsoft has teased the reveal of a new game from a mystery developer, it is not believed to be the Oblivion remake. Instead, Windows Central's Jez Corden hinted that the new game is "a new entry in a legendary Japanese IP which has decades of history, and should make a lot of fans happy."