Oblivion Creator Hails Remaster as 'Oblivion 2.0'

Bruce Nesmith, the senior game designer behind the original The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, has stated that Bethesda and Virtuos's Oblivion Remastered is so impressive that labeling it a mere "remaster" doesn't do it justice.

The mind behind many of the elements that made the original 2006 RPG so iconic shared his impressions of the newly announced—and released—Oblivion remaster in a recent interview with VideoGamer. He reflected on the immense effort required to bring every part of Cyrodiil to life, which is why seeing the game reimagined so comprehensively has been astonishing.

"I assumed this would just be a texture update," Nesmith commented. "I didn't expect it to be the complete overhaul they've announced... A simple update wouldn't have surprised me. But to redo all the animations, the animation system, implement the Unreal Engine, change the leveling system, and revamp the user interface—that's touching every single aspect of the game."

Bethesda made no official announcement about Oblivion Remastered before its surprise launch. Nevertheless, long-time fans have been largely impressed by the extensive changes, which range from visual enhancements to core gameplay adjustments. New features like a sprint mechanic and revised leveling have led many to view Oblivion Remastered as less of a remaster and more of a full remake—a sentiment Nesmith shares.

"The closest comparison would be Oblivion 2.0."

"That's a staggering amount of work for a remaster," he added. "Frankly, it almost needs its own term. I'm not sure 'remaster' truly captures what they've done."

Later in the conversation, he tried to categorize what he's seen of Oblivion Remastered: "The closest comparison would be Oblivion 2.0."

As the community celebrates the work put into Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda has offered its own explanation for the RPG re-release's naming. In a social media statement, the studio clarified it "never intended to remake" Oblivion. Its goal was to preserve the beloved original experience while modernizing it for new players, flaws and all.

"We know many of our long-time 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 your support over the years. With this remaster, we hope that everyone—whether a veteran or a newcomer—feels the wonder of stepping out of the Imperial sewer for the very first time."

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered was revealed and launched in a surprise release from Bethesda. You can now explore its reimagined Cyrodiil on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can access it at no additional charge. For more on how Oblivion Remastered has revitalized the Elder Scrolls community, see how the modding community reacted to the unexpected launch.

We offer a complete guide to everything in Oblivion Remastered, featuring a detailed Interactive Map, full Walkthroughs for the Main Quest and all Guild Quests, tips on Building the Perfect Character, essential First Steps, and much more.