Modders have torn apart Oblivion Remastered and found ‘potential’ for proper modding, but without tools from Bethesda we’ll need ‘a lot of reverse engineering work… before modding can be fully realised’

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Right now, numerous modders are actively working within the file system of the Oblivion Remaster, striving to understand how they can transition over 30,000 existing mods from the original game to the new version, which is enveloped in a robust Unreal Engine 5. Alternatively, their goal is also to develop entirely fresh mods tailored for this remastered edition.

As a gamer, I’ve got some news to share. The folks at Nexus Mods have shared their initial findings after a few days of digging, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag, if you ask me. However, they’re quick to remind us that these are early findings, so it’s important to take everything you read with the largest grain of salt.

According to an article on PC Gamer’s website, modders have discovered that a significant portion of Oblivion Remastered‘s fundamental data is stored in .esp and .esm plugin files. However, instead of the traditional setup, these records are now located in two places simultaneously to function with UE5. They are essentially duplicated, with one version being translated for UE5 using JSON, ensuring smooth operation of all components within the updated engine.

In simple terms, my interpretation might be lost on you as it was on me. To put it another way, if you wish to add fresh content to the game, you’ll need not only to modify Oblivion’s fundamental data, but also create a link using JSON format to ensure compatibility with UE5. This additional modding task isn’t well-understood yet. Furthermore, some of the JSON information associated with Oblivion’s default game data contains extra values that remain a mystery, and the Level of Detail system is completely new and probably closely tied to UE5.

There’s a fair amount of work ahead before we can transform Mehrunes Dagon into Randy Savage, but there’s some cause for hope. Nexus mentions “indications in the game code suggesting a Construction Set may be on the way,” which could mean that Bethesda and Virtuos will provide official modding tools (although Nexus notes these hints might only refer to the developers’ own tools). Additionally, the Game Pass version says it offers “In-Game Purchases,” which potentially indicates the future inclusion of the Bethesda.net paid mods marketplace.

Nexus is essentially saying that there’s promise in this situation, but without an authentic Construction Set from Bethesda/Virtuos, extensive reverse engineering will be necessary before we can fully explore modding options,” explains Nexus. In other words, we can only hope that the introduction of UE5 doesn’t lead Bethesda and Virtuos to withhold proper mod tools. If they provide these tools (accompanied by clear documentation to help mod developers understand what all this UE5 technology is about), we could be operational swiftly. However, if they don’t? We’re looking at a challenging, laborious process just to come close to replicating the greatness of the original Oblivion modding scene.

The positive aspect is that, despite the numerous hurdles the modding community is encountering at present, they’re still actively creating mods. They might not be as extravagant or daring as they could have been in the initial game (yet), but it seems that people are determined to work on this project regardless of whether Bethesda approves or not.

Despite Bethesda stating that their current game doesn’t endorse mods, it’s challenging not to be optimistic about the prospect of official modding support for a Bethesda title in the future. After all, it seems hard to imagine Bethesda passing up an opportunity to offer more Creation Club content. I remain hopeful, but we can only speculate until further information becomes available. As Nexus suggests, let’s give the brilliant minds behind this project some space and time to work their magic.

As a seasoned gamer diving back into the magical world of Oblivion, here’s what I’ve discovered about the updates, cheats, pickpocketing, vampire cure, and joining the Thieves Guild:

1. Oblivion Remastered Updates: I’ve noticed some fresh tweaks in this classic game. From improved graphics to smoother gameplay, it’s like stepping into Cyrodiil for the first time all over again!

2. Console Commands – Old and New Cheats: Don’t want to deal with the grind? Fear not, my friend! I’ve uncovered a few handy console commands that can help you speed things up or even give yourself a boost in this adventure.

3. Lockpicks: Where and How to Use ‘Em: You’ll find lockpicks scattered throughout Cyrodiil, and knowing how to use them can unlock treasure chests and other locked containers. It’s a game-changer when you need that extra edge!

4. Oblivion Vampirism Cure: If you’ve found yourself afflicted with the curse of vampirism, don’t fret! I’ve managed to track down the secret to breaking the vampire’s hold on you and returning to your mortal existence.

5. Joining the Thieves Guild: Ready to live a life of crime? The Thieves Guild is waiting for an ambitious member like you. I’ve figured out the steps to join this notorious guild and rise through its ranks.

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2025-04-25 14:47