Bethesda and the future of theElder Scrollsfranchise are at the focus of the gaming industry’s attention this week. Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Bethesda quite possibly meansThe Elder Scrolls 6will not be coming to PlayStation platforms, which has understandably triggered quite a reaction. But all of the attention onThe Elder Scrollsalso makes it quite the opportunity. The modding community behind theSkyblivionproject are taking advantage, dropping the first developer diary for the fan remake ofThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion.
Skyblivion, like other modding projects, is being worked on by a team entirely made up of volunteers. They have a rather straightforward goal compared to most modding teams. That being to take all ofThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivionand rebuild it in its entirety in the engine ofThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. That includes all ofOblivion’s quests, locations, and characters. As such,Skyblivionwill also require players own bothOblivionandSkyrimand their respective DLCs, but will otherwise be made available for free.
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ButSkyblivionisn’t being made just to be a monument to itself. Having all ofOblivionin theSkyrimengine would allow for a massive amount of improvements to be made to the open-world RPG that its own engine couldn’t. As such, theSkyblivionteam is developing several modules. These include Landscape Overhaul, Interior Overhaul, City Overhaul, Weapon/Armor Overhaul, and so on. Each module would, as their name implies, upgrade the quality of their module. Users would be able to turn these modules off as they please.
The developer diary breaks down much of the work that’s gone intoSkyblivionso far. It starts with the initial efforts, done by a single developer, that began in 2012. The team grew in those first four years, leading to the massive project it is now. It’s said multiple times that the team aspires to a AAA product by its completion.
Up to now, the team has completed its “first pass” atSkyblivion’s overworld. For internal environments, inside buildings and caves and such, development has only just begun. Since the vast majority of assets inSkyblivionare being remade for the updated engine, that means there’s plenty of work left to complete. That’s especially true for items like armor, which also need to be reworked since graphics allow for major improvements compared toOblivion’s original release.
TheSkyblivionDevelopment Diary also has one other major purpose. It’s to try and recruit new modders to help with the project, with a particular need for 3D artists. The team isn’t ready to share any plans for finishingSkyblivion, but says that the team now sees the end of the road. Expect continued updates from theSkyblivionmodding teamin the months, and potentially years, ahead.
Skyblivionis in development for PC now.
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