Skyblivion Modders Justify Fan Remake Despite Official Bethesda Remaster

Skyblivion — the highly anticipated fan remake of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, developed by the volunteer TESRenewal modding group — has just released its first major update since The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered launched in April. This confirms the fan-led project remains on track for a release later this year.

Skyblivion utilizes Bethesda's Creation Engine to rebuild Oblivion within the framework of its sequel, Skyrim. The project has been in development for over a decade, evolving from a simple port into a comprehensive remake with enhanced features and original content. IGN interviewed one of its lead developers back in 2021.

Bethesda and the Skyblivion team have reportedly maintained "very good terms." However, as speculation about an official Oblivion remaster increased, some fans wondered if Bethesda was attempting to preempt the mod with its own version, given the curiously close release windows. The Skyblivion team issued a statement to address these concerns, affirming that Bethesda has "always been supportive of community projects like ours" and that "there is no need for comparisons or a sense of competition" between the two releases. In fact, Bethesda provided the modding team with complimentary keys for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.

Now, three months after the remaster's launch, the Skyblivion team has shared a timely development update, likely answering a frequent question: "What is the purpose of Skyblivion now that an official remaster exists?"

"The answer is straightforward. Skyblivion is a full-scale remake that reimagines Oblivion from the ground up, aligning it with modern RPG standards," the team explained in a new video. "While the official remaster delivers impressive visual upgrades, Skyblivion introduces completely redesigned areas, dungeons, cities, gameplay improvements, and much more.

"Every fort, home, cave, and landscape has been meticulously recreated. We've infused this creative detail to breathe new life into a beloved classic that is nearly two decades old. Although we cannot announce an exact release date yet, we are confident in meeting our goal to launch this year. We hope this series demonstrates the progress of one of our generation's most ambitious modding projects and where it is headed."

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The 15-minute video is packed with highlights, but perhaps the most exciting reveal, as noted by PC Gamer, is a new dungeon based on the planned eighth city, Sutch, which was cut from the original game. Its existence was known from journal entries and older credit lists, but Skyblivion marks the first full reconstruction of this scrapped city. A reimagined version of the coastal town Anvil is also showcased.

"Our goal is to remake Oblivion in the Skyrim engine. After a decade of hard work, we are nearly ready to share it with the world," the team added. "With our planned 2025 release window approaching, we're showcasing the Gold Coast, the City of Anvil, several Oblivion realms and unique worlds, player customization, and more.

If you are experienced with Bethesda's Creation Engine and wish to contribute, the project is still recruiting volunteers.

In IGN's review of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, we scored it 8/10, stating: "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is a fantastic modernization of an iconic open-world RPG, even if it retains some of the original's quirks and rough edges."