"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 following a leak of alleged details. According to Mp1st, a former employee at Virtuos, a video game support studio, inadvertently released information about the unannounced game. Microsoft, when approached by IGN, chose not to comment on the matter.

Mp1st's report suggests that Virtuos is remaking Bethesda's iconic open-world RPG using Unreal Engine 5, hinting at a comprehensive overhaul rather than a simple remaster. The leak detailed several gameplay changes, including adjustments to Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and the heads-up display (HUD).

Notably, the Blocking mechanics have been revamped with inspiration from action games and Soulslikes, aiming to address the original's perceived shortcomings of being "boring" and "frustrating." Sneak icons are reportedly more visible, with revamped damage calculations. The effect of depleting Stamina leading to a knockdown is said to be more challenging to achieve. The HUD has been redesigned for better clarity, hit reactions have been introduced for clearer feedback, and Archery has 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. A list of unannounced Bethesda games, compiled in July 2020 ahead of Microsoft's March 2021 purchase of ZeniMax Media, included an Oblivion Remaster planned for the financial year 2022. Other titles on the list, such as an Indiana Jones game, Doom Year Zero, and The Elder Scrolls 6, have seen various delays or changes.

While the Microsoft document referred to an Oblivion "remaster," the scope of the project may have evolved into a full-fledged remake. The gaming community eagerly awaits Bethesda's official announcement to confirm these developments.

Regarding the platforms for the Oblivion remake, Microsoft's recent shift towards multiplatform releases suggests that the game might not be exclusive to Xbox, PC, and PlayStation. With the anticipated launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, there's speculation that the Oblivion remake could be available on this new console, especially given leaker NateTheHate's report of a June release date coinciding with the Switch 2's launch window.

Microsoft's upcoming Xbox Developer Direct promises more information on Doom: The Dark Ages from ZeniMax-owned id Software. While the event will also feature a new game from a mystery developer, Jez Corden from Windows Central has hinted that it won't be Oblivion but rather a new installment in a renowned Japanese IP with a long history.