Skyblivion Team Defends Mod as Bethesda Remaster Looms

Skyblivion — the highly anticipated fan recreation of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion developed by the TESRenewal volunteer mod team — has released its first major update after The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered launched in April, confirming the fan project remains on track for its upcoming release this year.

Rebuilding Cyrodiil From the Ground Up

Utilizing Bethesda's Creation Engine, Skyblivion aims to fully remake Oblivion within Skyrim's framework. What began as a straightforward conversion over ten years ago has evolved into an ambitious restoration project featuring enhanced mechanics, reimagined environments and original content additions. IGN previously interviewed lead developers about this massive undertaking in 2021.

Contrary to speculation about potential corporate interference, Bethesda has maintained "extremely positive relations" with the Skyblivion team. When rumors of an official remaster surfaced, the modding group publicly clarified that Bethesda had consistently supported community projects, even providing the team complimentary copies of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered while emphasizing there was no competitive conflict between the versions.

A New Vision for an Old Classic

The new development update directly addresses why Skyblivion remains relevant post-remaster. As outlined in their explanatory video: "Skyblivion represents a comprehensive reimagining that modernizes Oblivion's core experience rather than simply remastering its visuals. We've redesigned every dungeon, settlement and landscape while implementing contemporary RPG systems."

The team showcased several ambitious improvements including:

• Complete redesign of Anvil's coastal architecture
• Implementation of the scrapped city of Sutch as a fully explorable location
• Enhanced character customization options
• Reconstructed Oblivion realms with new environmental storytelling

While declining to specify a precise release date, developers reaffirmed their commitment to launching in the announced timeframe, stating: "After a decade of development, we're proud to deliver this reenvisioned version that honors Oblivion's legacy while introducing meaningful innovation."

The team continues seeking talented contributors familiar with Bethesda's toolset, with recruitment details available on their official channels.

Community Poll: Favorite Bethesda RPGs

Which Elder Scrolls or Fallout game holds the top spot for you?

See current community rankings or cast your vote after watching the full 15-minute development showcase featuring never-before-seen gameplay footage of the restored Sutch region and other enhancements coming in Skyblivion's eventual release.