It's been a long time since a new mainline game in the long-running Elder Scrolls RPG series has released. Although The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has made it to essentially every modern console in existence since its initial release, fans may have to wait years for the sixth mainline installment to come out. The long wait is maybe just one of the motives fans have had for starting a remake of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion themselves, but there are other reasons too.
The project, known as Skyblivion, is being led by the TESRenewal modding group. The Skyblivion project is an HD remake of Oblivion using Skyrim's engine. It's also a volunteer project, which means any aspiring developers or tech wizards can volunteer to help the project if they wish. With Microsoft's recent acquisition of ZeniMax Media leaving the future of The Elder Scrolls in uncertainty (at least, in terms of release dates and console exclusivity) a remake of Oblivion may be just what people need while they wait for Elder Scrolls VI to release.
The original Oblivion was a beloved game and a solid entry in the Elder Scrolls series. Originally releasing in 2006, Oblivion just hasn't gotten the love from developer Bethesda that Skyrim has. The game made it onto PC, PS3, and Xbox 360, but a remaster or remake is nowhere in sight, even after fourteen years. Skyrim mods are common within the Elder Scrolls community, so it seems natural that fans would be working on an Oblivion remake using that game's engine. They're showing the love to Oblivion that's so far been missing from Bethesda.
How Skyblivion Improves The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion
The Skyblivion project isn't just an overhaul of Oblivion's graphics. Modders are improving everything in the game, including hundreds of minuscule textures, as well as the many landscapes and environments of Cyrodiil. Many of the towns in Oblivion are being rebuilt from the ground up, meaning a whole new generation of players can experience the game's wonders - and in 4K, no less.
Modders working on the Skyblivion project aren't just making the game look better. There are also brand-new additions to this Oblivion remake. The project will feature the original quests in Oblivion, but modders are also throwing in their own, original quests as well. That means even veterans of Oblivion will find new content in this fan-made remake.
The Skyblivion project has been going on for the better part of a decade, and it's unclear how close the project is to being finished. It's a colossal undertaking, but anyone looking to help can learn more by visiting the Skyblivion project's site. Although an official remake of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has never happened, fans will hopefully have an unofficial one in their hands soon enough.
Source: Skyblivion