“Everything more or less gets buried” by “massive shadow drops” like Oblivion Remastered, says indie publisher behind new PS2 horror homage: “Love the game that dropped but feel the pain for our team”

While many gamers are rejoicing over the unexpected launch of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, the independent publisher responsible for creating the PS2-style survival horror game, Post Trauma, can’t help but feel somewhat eclipsed by the spotlight.

Despite some leaks slightly dampening the excitement prior to release, Oblivion Remastered clearly stands out as the most significant launch of the week, and quite possibly the entire month. The launches of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on PS5 and The Last of Us 2 Remastered on PC are its main rivals, but it’s safe to say that under normal circumstances, Oblivion Remastered would be April 2025’s biggest launch, unless a surprise blockbuster release is yet to be announced.

For independent developers or publishers, it’s crucial to steer clear of launching your game around the same time as big AAA titles, as this can lead to overshadowing. When release dates are announced in advance, it’s simple to adjust. However, when massive AAA games suddenly drop without warning, like Oblivion Remastered (ignoring leaks), it gives little time for publishers like Raw Fury to maneuver around the sudden release from companies like Bethesda, even with a heads-up, they might still find themselves in a tight spot.

According to a tweet by Raw Fury’s founder and CEO, Jónas Antonsson, “I had a deep fondness for Oblivion when I was younger, and that affection has only grown over time. I’m thrilled to see this game get a fresh start and be introduced to a new group of players.

Independent developers and publishers find a challenge in massive shadow drops because their content gets overlooked. We lack the financial resources and marketing power to promote our work, so we meticulously plan our launches, considering other releases as well, to increase the likelihood of gaining visibility.

As a fan of both Post Trauma and the captivating new turn-based RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, I can’t help but feel a twinge of shared adversity. It seems that, much like Post Trauma, Clair Obscur has found itself in the shadow of Oblivion Remastered’s expansive orbit. Yet, in true spirit of resilience, Kepler Interactive, the publishers of Clair Obscur, have met this challenge with a touch of humor, comparing the situation to two iconic figures sharing the limelight – a cheeky reference to Barbie and Oppenheimer premiering side by side in 2023.

Antonsson expressed, “I adore the game that was released, yet I ache for our team and particularly the developer we’ve collaborated with for years, whose passion and dedication, evident in his creation of the game, is palpable.

Post Trauma is the debut project from Spain-based indie studio Red Soul Games.

I had a blast playing Post Trauma during Steam Next Fest, though its tough challenges can’t be denied. At the time, I wrote that it delivers an enjoyable experience despite being brutal. It’s heartening to see Oblivion Remastered garner praise among Elder Scrolls enthusiasts, but my sympathies lie with indie developers like Red Soul Games and Raw Fury.

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2025-04-24 03:09