"Oblivion Remake Announcement Imminent, Release to Follow Soon"

Rumors are swirling that Bethesda is gearing up to unveil a much-anticipated remake of *The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion* in the coming weeks, with a release expected to follow closely on its heels. The leak comes from NatetheHate, a source known for accurately predicting the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2. According to NatetheHate's tweet, the reveal could happen as soon as this month or next, a timeline that was further validated by VGC. As for the release, NatetheHate suggests a window before June, while VGC hints at a potential launch as early as April.

Back in January, Mp1st shed light on details that seemingly leaked from a former employee at Virtuos, a video game support studio. Microsoft remained tight-lipped when approached for comment by IGN. The report from Mp1st claims that Virtuos has been working on a full-blown remake of Bethesda's beloved open-world RPG using the cutting-edge Unreal Engine 5, indicating a significant overhaul rather than a simple remaster. Alleged gameplay changes include revamped systems for Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and the user interface (HUD).

According to Mp1st, the Blocking mechanic was redesigned with inspiration from action games and Soulslikes, addressing the original's "boring" and "frustrating" nature. Sneak icons now reportedly stand out more, with damage calculations being overhauled. The knockdown effect from depleting Stamina is said to be harder to trigger, and the HUD has been streamlined for clarity. Enhancements to hit reactions and a modernization of Archery in both first and third-person perspectives were also mentioned.

The buzz about an Oblivion remaster first surfaced in 2023, stemming from documents released during the Federal Trade Commission's trial against Microsoft regarding the Activision Blizzard acquisition. A list of unannounced Bethesda titles slated for future release was part of these documents, drafted in July 2020 before Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media in March 2021. The list included an *Oblivion Remaster* planned for the 2022 financial year, alongside other titles like an Indiana Jones game, *Doom Year Zero*, and more. However, many of these projects have faced delays or cancellations, with *Doom Year Zero* now rebranded as *Doom: The Dark Ages* set for a May launch, and *Indiana Jones and the Great Circle* delayed until December 2024.

The term "remaster" used in the Microsoft document raises questions about whether Bethesda has since expanded the project into a full remake. With the official announcement looming, fans won't have to wait long to see the extent of the changes.

As for platform availability, Microsoft's commitment to multiplatform releases suggests that the *Oblivion* remake might extend beyond the traditional PC, Xbox, and PlayStation to include the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Given the Switch 2's rumored launch around June, there's a possibility that *Oblivion* could be part of its initial lineup.

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