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"Oblivion Remastered: Original Dev Admits World-Scale Leveling Error"

By SavannahMay 17,2025

Oblivion Remastered Release Gets Original Dev to Admit World-Scale Leveling Was a Mistake

Discover the insights of an original Oblivion developer as he reflects on the game's world-scale leveling system and the extensive changes in the remastered version, which has been a massive hit since its release.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Changes Applauded by Former Dev

Oblivion Remastered Release Gets Original Dev to Admit World-Scale Leveling Was a Mistake

In a candid interview with VideoGamer, Bruce Nesmith, a former designer of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, admitted that the inclusion of the world-scale leveling system was a mistake. Despite this, the feature remains in Oblivion Remastered. Nesmith, who has also contributed to games like Fallout 3, Skyrim, and Starfield, praised the remaster's adjustments to the leveling system, which now aligns more closely with Skyrim's approach, allowing players to gain XP across all skill lines. He commended Bethesda for their bold decision, calling it a "brave" move.

Oblivion Remastered Release Gets Original Dev to Admit World-Scale Leveling Was a Mistake

Nesmith expressed his concerns about the world-scale leveling system, which adjusts enemy levels in line with the player's progress. He noted that this system can make players feel as though their leveling efforts are in vain, stating, "I think the world leveling with you was a mistake and that’s proven out by the fact it did not happen the same way in Skyrim." This sentiment has been echoed by fans since Oblivion's initial release in 2006, leading to the creation of mods to counteract this feature. With Oblivion Remastered retaining this system, the community has once again stepped up to modify it.

Oblivion Remastered is More Than Just a Remaster

Oblivion Remastered Release Gets Original Dev to Admit World-Scale Leveling Was a Mistake

The remastering of Oblivion has surpassed expectations, transforming the beloved Elder Scrolls game into something far more ambitious than a simple texture update, akin to Skyrim: Special Edition. Nesmith himself was surprised by the extent of the remastering, describing it as a "staggering amount of remastering" and suggesting that the term "remaster" might not fully capture the scope of the work done.

Oblivion Remastered Release Gets Original Dev to Admit World-Scale Leveling Was a Mistake

Bethesda's commitment to the project is evident in their use of Unreal Engine 5 to rebuild Tamriel, overcoming the limitations of the original game. The result is a high-quality remaster that has been warmly received by the community. At Game8, we awarded Oblivion Remastered a score of 90 out of 100, celebrating its faithful yet modernized recreation of Cyrodiil. For more detailed insights into the game, explore our comprehensive review below!

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