Rumor: Oblivion Remaster To Release on April 21st

[Key]

I'm making a prediction that they'll announce that it's available tomorrow during the presentation. Either that, or hopefully very soon after.

Honestly, the fact that it's confirmed is exciting me

[SGR]

Boss: "What was that loud beep I just heard?"
Me: "Oh that was....that was just my hospital monitor! Gotta go now, those fluids won't drink themselves as they say!"

[Key]

Today's the day! I'm hoping they shadow drop it during the reveal. Only a little bit longer until we find out if we'll be playing a remastered version of Oblivion today or very soon. I'm pushing for today.

Interesting thing I read yesterday is that some have said that these leaks were purposefully placed by Bethesda to build hype for the remaster. If that's true, I would put this up there as one of the best marketing campaigns I've ever seen. Build hype without big marketing costs? That's the perfect formula.

[Key]

ITS OUT!!!

[SGR]

PRAISE BE! I'M PUMPED! I watched the livestream reveal and it looks like I'll have to eat crow about them re-doing the voice lines - the madmen seem to have actually done it. I was incredibly impressed - everything looks so damn good! Graphics and lighting are incredible, animations look crisp, combat looks chunkier and more satisfying - I was expecting it to look a little bit better than Skyrim Remastered HD, but this exceeded all my expectations.

The best part for me is that I never actually properly beat Oblivion or owned it. One of my friends had the game and I played it there many times - and at one point, I did rent it - but never did get around to buying it. And this was was nearly 20 years ago, so my memory of it isn't even good; much of this will be like a brand new experience for me.

Interesting thing I read yesterday is that some have said that these leaks were purposefully placed by Bethesda to build hype for the remaster. If that's true, I would put this up there as one of the best marketing campaigns I've ever seen. Build hype without big marketing costs? That's the perfect formula.

This wouldn't surprise me at all, and it generates the hype naturally among the community. I think shadowdropping works better for single player games (because you don't need to worry about the netcode and online multiplayer functionality), specifically remakes of games (or perhaps new entries in franchises already established) players are already familiar with and love. Team Ninja did this a few months back with their UE5 remake of Ninja Gaiden 2 (which happens to be my all time favorite game), and I bought that shit as soon as it was shadowdropped.

One thing about shadowdropping that I don't like is that it seems treat physical editions as a bit of an afterthought. I still much prefer to buy my games physically, but with shadowdrops, physical editions, if they come out at all, seem to come months down the line. But one big pro about shadowdrops is that it seems to generate discussion and rumor mills that remind me of the pre-internet elementary school days - exchanging rumors you've heard, maybe from your older brother, or maybe something you read in the latest issue of Nintendo Power - and before you know it, you believe that Luigi might be playable in Mario 64 and there's a super secret way you can get Mew in Pokemon Red/Blue. That sort of organic excitement and curiosity that only comes from human-human interaction, and not from expensive marketing campaigns and google searches with info readily available that leave very little mystery to begin with.

Anyways, I'm super excited and have it downloading on my PS5 now - plan to play it after work. Can't wait to see my wife play it too (she loves Skyrim, never played Oblivion). I hope you enjoy it @Key!

[Key]

Yeah, 100% agreed. I really liked the idea of them sort of planting the leaks for people to discuss it as you said, it allows for organic discussion and honestly creates a lot of hype. And thankfully, it created a lot of hype and it all worked out. The stream this morning had half a million people tuning in which I don't think happens all that often. They showed the perfect amount of what they needed to, got the excitement going, and made it available to everyone on the same day. I would put this as possibly one of the more successful if not the most successful release Bethesda has had in a long time. I am so excited to get home and play it.

[SGR]

  Classic Bethesda gameplay is back.

[Key]

I played about an hour when I got home. It's amazing! It's got the same charm as the original with a fresh coat of paint. Which i'm happy about. Performance can be a bit spotty but it's the first day so I think that'll be patched out. I'm really happy overall tho. Feels really good to jump back in to Oblivion this many years later. Still can't believe we got a remaster.

[SGR]

I've only played a little bit so far, but I've loved what I've played! I think my only issue, as a relic of my Skyrim experience, is I really miss seeing that 'cleared' on the map for a cave after I've swept it and got the loot. But man, the graphics are awesome and yet it still feels properly like the original.

I've been knee deep in Black Myth: Wu Kong for so long now, that I'm still majorly focused on that - trying to complete it before I fully invest and dive into Oblivion.

[Key]

I've only played a little bit so far, but I've loved what I've played! I think my only issue, as a relic of my Skyrim experience, is I really miss seeing that 'cleared' on the map for a cave after I've swept it and got the loot. But man, the graphics are awesome and yet it still feels properly like the original.

I've been knee deep in Black Myth: Wu Kong for so long now, that I'm still majorly focused on that - trying to complete it before I fully invest and dive into Oblivion.

I've put about 10 hours and I gotta say it's one of the best remasters I've ever played. It doesn't take anything away from the original other than a fresh coat of paint. It still feels like the good ol' Oblivion which I was worried was going to be taken away but they really wanted to keep in what made Oblivion great. The clunky NPC movement and dialogue specifically are really great to see.

I just finished the quest line last night to get the vampire cure. I didn't want to be a vampire on my first playthrough as I just wanna experience the game. My next playthrough ill probably dabble into vampirism as I hear it can have really cool benefits.

So far, it's a nice fresh look of a game that was already perfect and I'm glad the people behind it knew that. Huge W to both Bethesda and Virtuos. Hope this means we'll get a Fallout 3 remaster. Can only wait and see!

[Lexi of the Dawn]

[Key]

Its actually wild how good this game is. It's one of those games that I wish I could play more when I'm not playing it i.e. when I'm at work etc. They really delivered something special here and every time I have played so far, I've had nothing but a great time. I'm excited every time I jump in. This game is a masterpiece created from a game that was already a masterpiece.