Skyblivion lead confirms the fan-made remake eliminates some of Oblivion’s unique charm due to the “streamlined” Skyrim engine’s surprise lack of jank

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As a devoted fan, I can’t help but admit that Bethesda’s open-world RPGs, including mine beloved The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, have their fair share of quirks, or “jank.” However, none compare to the jank in Oblivion. Thankfully, the official remake by Bethesda and Virtuos this year wonderfully preserved the game’s unique oddities. Yet, the fan-made remake, Skyblivion, will not see the light of day as planned.

In a recent conversation, the Project Lead of Skyblivion, Rebelzize, shared that the refined Skyrim engine significantly reduces many of Oblivion’s quirky characteristics. However, this doesn’t imply that the fan-made remake has lost all the original’s allure.

Skyblivion is a very different form of Oblivion 

In an interview, Rebelzize stated that unlike the Gamebryo engine used in Oblivion, the Creation Engine used for Skyrim operates differently. Although some people incorrectly assume the engines are similar due to shared problems, the technology behind Skyrim is considerably more sophisticated.

One significant challenge, now a key asset for amusement, found in Oblivion lies within its artificial intelligence (AI) management. In Oblivion, characters may converse simultaneously, lose their paths while walking, and exhibit unpredictable behaviors that are seldom seen in Skyrim’s AI system.

The project lead mentioned that the engine of Skyrim makes it less likely for bugs to persist during the transition. While the amusing dialogue or character interactions might remain quirky, he suggested that overall, the writing and design of the quests are quite mature and well-crafted. To some degree, unexpectedly humorous moments may still occur, but the experience should be more refined as a result.

Although it’s exciting that the Oblivion Remastered project successfully preserved the unusual technical complexity of The Elder Scrolls IV within its updated exterior, Skyblivion is an entirely distinct endeavor. It’s a complete remake featuring extended questlines, reimagined locations to align with the game’s original concept art, fresh content, and functional Goblin Tribes for authenticity.

Bethesda views The Elder Scrolls games as one possible interpretation of a legendary narrative, and Skyblivion is another interpretation that follows suit. The official version of Oblivion might be a rambling account of the Hero of Kvatch’s adventures, as if told by an inebriated storyteller in a seedy tavern somewhere in Cyrodil, punctuated with self-interruptions and sudden bouts of vomiting. Skyblivion represents another narrator with a unique style, and since it is still developed using the Creation Engine, there may be occasional hints of intoxication in its telling.

Skyblivion is a more mature take on the adventure 

As a passionate enthusiast, I must admit that while the authentic Oblivion carries some grim undertones, Rebelzize’s vision is to elevate the game to a more mature level altogether. Despite preserving the original’s delightful aspects, this fan project aspires to transcend its boundaries and offer something truly exceptional.

In an interview, Rebelzize shared that there’s a particular scene in the game where you’ll find a burned body of a parent and their child, embraced. This is strategically placed so players might overlook it. He emphasized that this scene, along with other detailed and advanced designs throughout the game, aims to convey a sense of a world consumed by flames, where death is omnipresent. The overall atmosphere is meant to be intense and urgent, as this tragic scenario repeats across the game world.

After over a decade of development, Skyblivion, an ambitious fan project that combines elements from both Skyrim and Oblivion, is set to launch later this year. On its debut day, it will be available through GOG’s user-friendly One Click Mod installation program. With many large-scale fan projects like Fallout New Mexico failing along the way, it’s thrilling to see Skyblivion finally coming to fruition, as it has been meticulously refined over time.

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2025-06-23 13:40