A Potential Oblivion Remake is Exciting, Yet Bethesda Could Explore Further

In September 2023, a significant leak emerged from the ongoing FTC v Microsoft court proceedings, with a wave of confidential files making their way to the public. Among these documents was a list of projects that Bethesda was developing before Microsoft’s acquisition. Notably, a remaster of Fallout 3 was on the cards for 2024, a Doom prequel set for 2023, and a remaster of Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion was reportedly planned for 2022. Although years have passed since these projects supposedly kicked off, many fans remain optimistic about the prospect of an Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion remaster, while eagerly anticipating the release of a Doom prequel, Doom: The Dark Ages, this May.

Recent months have only fueled this speculation, with numerous industry insiders asserting that an Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion remaster or remake is indeed real and still being worked on. While some hoped it would make an appearance at Xbox’s Developer Direct last month, there’s still anticipation that Oblivion might get its moment during Xbox’s summer showcase. However, while a remake or remaster of Oblivion sounds enticing, Bethesda might want to dig a little deeper into their treasure trove of titles.

Turning the spotlight onto some of Bethesda’s classic titles from the 90s, remaking The Elder Scrolls: Arena and Daggerfall could potentially create the most expansive sandbox experience in the series’ history. Released in 1994 and 1996, these games are technically the largest in the Elder Scrolls franchise, with Arena offering players the chance to explore the entire continent of Tamriel. Despite Daggerfall narrowing its focus to just two provinces, High Rock and Hammerfell, it still boasts an impressive 15,000 cities, towns, and dungeons. Given the limitations of the 1990s, Bethesda utilized state-of-the-art procedural generation for quests and dungeons to make this feasible. Imagine if Bethesda could bring these enormous worlds back to life using today’s advanced procedural generation technology. It could rectify the original games’ awkward quest chains and unruly dungeon designs.

Shifting to a more recent classic, a remake of The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind could be perfectly timed. Over the past decade, Morrowind has emerged as a fan-favorite, celebrated for its immersive, simulation-like experience. Unlike its successors, Morrowind avoids straightforward quest markers, instead encouraging players to listen closely to NPCs and follow instructions based on their own interpretation. This deep level of immersion and player autonomy is something many enthusiasts wish to see in future Elder Scrolls games, and a Morrowind remake could deliver exactly that.

Now might also be the ideal moment for such a remake. The release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has introduced the immersive sim genre to a fresh audience, making new players more willing to embrace Morrowind’s challenging nature. While the extensive modding community has already done remarkable work enhancing Morrowind’s many facets, a comprehensive, high-budget remake from Bethesda could bring new life to this adored classic, all while carefully preserving the immersive elements that made the original so endearing.