Don’t think we know yet. Based on earlier leaks, the thought is that Unreal Engine 5 is involved somehow, but there is uncertainty about whether or not it is full-on in UE5 or if UE5 is just being used as a rendering layer. If Bethesda’s own engine is still used as the core of the game, we don’t know if that means simply reworking the original Oblivion code, or if they updated everything to the latest version used for Starfield.
What we can assume is that, even if the original engine is used, there will need to be a good deal of work done to update it regardless, since it is still a 32-bit application that would need to be rewritten for proper 64-bit support. And a lot of the game mechanics, physics, movement, etc. would need to be updated to work with the UE5 rendering layer if that is indeed how it’s working.
I don’t expect they would, since Skyblivion already has their blessing and the team has been working with representatives from Bethesda to make sure that everything they’re doing continues to be kosher with them.
The Skyblivion devs also released a statement recently that they are also looking forward to the release of this remaster, and believe that there is enough love to go around for both projects.
Basically, Oblivion fans are going to be eating well this year. If the official Oblivion remaster is underwhelming, there will still be Skyblivion to look forward to.
It’ll happen. I don’t think it’ll be good, but it’ll happen.
This remaster was made by a different studio, not Bethesda, so I do believe them after they said that TES6 is now in full production following Starfield.
Microsoft likes doing shadowdrops, apparently. Hi-Fi Rush being the most prominent, but they also shadowdropped the Ninja Gaiden 2 remake a few months ago.
I mean, despite whatever reputation UE5 may have, Oblivion was legendarily buggy. Oblivion defined Bethesda’s reputation for producing bug-riddled games.
I am actually not even sure how much input Bethesda had in this. It was remastered by an outside studio contracted by Microsoft. The same studio handling the remaster of Metal Gear Solid 3, apparently.
The only part that gives me pause is that this is supposedly in Unreal Engine rather than Bethesda’s usual engine.
Not to say that there won’t be a modding scene, but it will be substantially different without the equivalent of the Construction Set/GECK/Creation Kit.
For me they’re still on par in terms of game pricing because PC still doesn’t have the advantage of physical media that you can buy used or borrow for free. But the console makers seem to be doing everything in their power to kill that advantage, with Nintendo’s “game key card” being the latest move in the all-digital direction.
Not to mention it being a moot point with Nintendo anyways since they’ve figured out the magic formula of keeping their games in a permanent state of high demand and short supply, effectively ensuring they never come down in price.
Good luck getting one, hardware has been practically non-existent lately. At least for anything other than scalper prices. I hope that this trend doesn’t continue too much longer.
It’s not like the PC market is in great shape either, though. I mean I’m sure it’s fine if you’re mostly playing indie games that are not too visually demanding and taxing on the hardware, but it is insanely expensive to buy a good computer these days that can play newer games in good quality. Even with the price increases, a GPU alone will run you the cost of a PS5 or more, maybe even double.
Or maybe that’s just it, maybe there won’t be a noticeable gen bump for a long time, since no one can afford it. Time to start focusing on how to make hardware cheaper instead of better.
Not to develop mods, but the PS5 version of the game (and Xbox) supports some mods available from the mod manager that you can also find on PC. I think the console versions of mods require an approval process to make sure they work.