Skyblivion Shows Off First 15 Minutes of Gameplay

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The team behind Skyblivion recently unveiled a fresh gameplay demonstration for their fan-made remake of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. This sneak peek offers a tantalizing glimpse into what this impressive volunteer project promises. Skyblivion is part of the TES Renewal Project, a collection of extensive total conversion mods dedicated to reimagining older Elder Scrolls games using more advanced game engines. Conceived as a modest endeavor in 2012, the Oblivion remake has since grown into one of the most expansive Skyrim mods ever created, with numerous teams of skilled modders collaborating from different parts of the world to bring it to fruition.

This year, the unexpected launch of “Oblivion Remastered” sparked concerns that the ongoing work on “Skyblivion” might come to a halt, as Bethesda seemed to have already reimagined Oblivion. However, the team behind Skyblivion reassured fans that development would proceed as initially planned. Interestingly, they were invited to Bethesda’s headquarters post the launch of Oblivion Remastered, which served as an official endorsement for their continued work. The project is now in its final phase of development and remains on track for a 2025 release.

Skyblivion Reveals First 15 Minute of Gameplay

At Creation Mod Con 2025, the Skyblivion team unveiled a continuous 15-minute gameplay segment, demonstrating their fan-driven project’s innovative reinterpretation of Oblivion’s introductory sequence. The video commences with the well-known jail encounter between Uriel Septim and his eventual assassination, followed by a journey through subterranean tunnels, goblin lairs, and the sewage system, concluding with the entry into the open world of Cyrodiil.

The team worked diligently to accurately replicate the opening sequence, aiming to assist players in getting accustomed to the blend of Skyrim and Oblivion gameplay mechanics. However, they clarified that Skyblivion is not a remaster but a remake, with the objective being to modernize the game rather than simply enhancing its original version like Oblivion Remastered did. The sneak peek revealed that the lockpicking system in Oblivion will be revamped, incorporating aspects from Elder Scrolls Online to make it more appealing for newcomers. Moreover, the project intends to significantly upgrade sound design, UI elements, combat, characters, and certain cities.

One major advantage that Skyblivion holds over Oblivion Remastered lies in its support for user-generated modifications (mods). Unlike Bethesda’s official version, this fan-made remake benefits from a vast library of over 100,000 Skyrim mods. The gameplay trailer even hinted at the use of SkyUI, one of the most popular Skyrim mods, being integrated into the game. Essentially, Skyblivion is launching with over a decade’s worth of ready-to-use mods. However, it’s important to note that significant updates (patching) will be necessary to get most of these mods functioning within Skyblivion. Nonetheless, the groundwork has already been laid.

Apart from Skyblivion, there’s another extensive modification in the works for Skyrim called The Elder Scrolls Renewal Project. This team is developing Skywind, a remake of Morrowind, which though not as far along in development as Skyblivion, recently showcased a substantial questline with a gameplay demo earlier this year. On top of that, the Beyond Skyrim project is also working on multiple significant mods, offering plenty for fans to anticipate in the upcoming years.

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2025-09-01 12:34