Following years of speculation and leaked information, Xbox and Bethesda have officially acknowledged the existence of The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion remaster. The announcement came through a social media post featuring the Roman numeral IV and a reveal time set for April 22 at 8 AM PT. While the post was simple, it left little doubt that Oblivion is finally returning with updated visuals and gameplay.

Rumors of an Oblivion remaster began back in 2023 when documents from the Federal Trade Commission’s case against Microsoft mentioned the title alongside other planned releases. Momentum built further last week when leaked images appeared on developer Virtuos’ website before being quickly removed. These images showed major visual upgrades and were consistent with earlier reports suggesting that Virtuos is involved in the development.

Additional evidence came from cloud gaming platform Boosteroid, where some users claimed the game appeared in their linked Steam libraries. A SteamDB listing tied to an unknown app with recent updates also fueled speculation. While Bethesda remained silent, a fan who contacted Xbox customer support was reportedly told that the game exists and supports cloud gaming.


The biggest question now is what exactly will be shown during the livestream. Fans are hoping for a surprise release on the same day as the reveal, but it is just as likely that Bethesda will show off a gameplay trailer, share a list of enhancements, and provide a release window. The teaser for the livestream says all will be revealed which suggests fans can expect concrete information.

According to leaks, the remaster could be built in Unreal Engine 5 and may include modernized combat, stealth, archery, and stamina systems. There is also talk of the file size being 120 GB, a major leap from the original game’s 4.6 GB. If true, that size increase reflects the scale of improvements Bethesda has planned for the 2006 RPG.

While the excitement is high, some fans worry the remaster could delay progress on Elder Scrolls VI which has not seen any major updates since it was first announced in 2018. However, Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda may have given the studio the resources needed to work on multiple projects without compromising timelines.

The team behind Skyblivion, a fan-made version built in Skyrim’s engine, has also reacted positively. They believe both versions can exist and that players ultimately benefit from having more options.

Whatever Bethesda has planned for April 22, it is clear that Oblivion is making a comeback. Fans can tune in to the official livestream on YouTube or Twitch to see what the future holds for one of the most beloved entries in the Elder Scrolls series.

READ MORE: Bethesda Shocks Gamers with Surprise Release of Oblivion Remastered