'Oblivion 2.0': Original Designer Lauds Bethesda Remaster

Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has expressed that Bethesda and Virtuos' Oblivion Remastered is so remarkable that labeling it a simple "remaster" might not fully capture its scope.

In a recent discussion with VideoGamer, the creative force behind many of the elements that made the original 2006 RPG so memorable shared his perspective on the newly announced—and released—Oblivion remaster. He reflected on the immense effort required to create the world of Cyrodiil, which is why witnessing its comprehensive reimagining has been so surprising.

"I expected this to be primarily a texture upgrade," Nesmith noted. "I didn’t anticipate the complete overhaul they've announced... A texture update wouldn't have surprised me. But redoing all the animations, the animation system, integrating Unreal Engine, altering the leveling mechanics, and revamping the user interface—that means touching nearly every aspect of the game."

Bethesda made no official announcement for Oblivion Remastered prior to its surprise release yesterday. Nevertheless, long-time fans have been largely impressed by the breadth of changes, which range from surface-level visual enhancements to core gameplay adjustments. New features like a sprint mechanic and revisions to the leveling system have led many to view Oblivion Remastered less as a remaster and more as a full remake, a sentiment Nesmith shares.

He went on to say, “The closest comparison would be Oblivion 2.0.”

"The extent of the remastering is staggering," he added. "Frankly, it almost demands its own category. I’m not sure the term 'remaster' does it justice."

Elsewhere in the conversation, he tried to define what he's seen of Oblivion Remastered so far: “The closest that could come [to categorising it] is Oblivion 2.0.”

As the community celebrates the work invested in Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda has offered its own reasoning behind the naming of this RPG re-release. In a social media statement yesterday, the studio clarified that it “never intended to remake” Oblivion. Instead, the goal was to preserve the beloved original experience while making it accessible for new players, flaws and all.

“We know many of our dedicated fans will be excited to return to Oblivion and Cyrodiil,” Bethesda’s statement continued. “But there are also countless players who have never experienced it. We are deeply grateful for the support you’ve shown our games over the years. With this remaster, we hope that everyone—whether a veteran or newcomer—feels the wonder of stepping out of the Imperial sewer for the first time.”

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered was unveiled and released yesterday in a surprise drop from Bethesda. You can now experience its revitalized version of Cyrodiil on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can access it at no additional charge. To learn more about how Oblivion Remastered has energized the Elder Scrolls community, see how the modding scene reacted to the unexpected launch.

We offer a detailed guide covering all aspects of Oblivion Remastered, including an extensive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Quest and every Guild Quest, advice on Building the Ideal Character, essential First Steps, and much more.