The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, shadow-dropping following a live-stream event, has taken Steam by storm. It has surpassed over 150,000 concurrent players according to Steam Charts hours after its “surprise” reveal and shadow drop today.
That number on Steam doesn’t even count the influx of players across Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and Game Pass, being a remarkable milestone. This underscores the enduring popularity of Bethesda’s 2006 classic.
A Second Attempt
The road to this release of Oblivion Remastered has been paved with anticipation, fueled by years of rumors and leaks. This contrasts with Bethesda’s last attempt at a shadow drop with Hi-Fi Rush in 2023.
Despite Hi-Fi Rush initially garnering critical acclaim and a passionate but small fanbase, its story took a devastating turn. The game’s developer, Tango Gameworks, was shuttered by Microsoft & Bethesda in May 2024. Thankfully, the studio was promptly purchased and reopened by Krafton later that year.
Oblivion Remastered’s triumphant launch demonstrates that Bethesda learned from past missteps, delivering a shadow drop resonating with fans and creating a strong precedent for future shadow-drops.
Another Bullet in the Chamber
The success of Oblivion Remastered’s launch has sparked renewed excitement for another long-rumored project: a Fallout 3 remaster. Considering Oblivion Remaster having a steamless rollout caught fans off guard in the best way possible, Bethesda should mirror this with Fallout 3.
Additionally, I hope Virtuos returns as the developer for it. They’ve done an amazing job modernizing Oblivion while preserving its classic charm, striking a balance that honors the original experience while making it feel fresh for today’s audience.
A surprise release with polished updates and broad platform availability could replicate this triumph and keep fans engaged.
Bridging the Gap
This remaster arrives at a perfect time, serving as a nostalgic bridge for fans eagerly awaiting The Elder Scrolls VI.
Oblivion Remastered offers a beautifully updated journey back to Cyrodiil, proving that Bethesda’s classics still have the power to captivate, keeping fans busy as they continue working on Elder Scrolls VI.
