Will Bethesda Shut Down Skyblivion If They Remaster Oblivion?

Background on Skyblivion and Bethesda's Potential Remaster

Skyblivion is a volunteer-driven modding project by the TESRenewal group, aiming to remake The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion using The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim's engine. It's been in development since 2012 and is designed to bring Oblivion to a new generation of gamers while requiring players to own both Oblivion GOTY Deluxe (with all DLC) and Skyrim: Special Edition to play. The mod is not for profit and relies on the modding community's passion, as outlined on the Skyblivion website.

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Rumors of an official Bethesda Oblivion remaster or remake have been circulating, with mentions in FTC court documents suggesting a potential 2025 release. However, these rumors are based on leaks from several years ago, before Microsoft acquired Bethesda, and their validity remains uncertain. In a recent interview, Skyblivion's lead modder, Kyle "Rebelzize" Rebel, expressed that the team isn't worried about a potential official remake, stating it wouldn't "affect us much" because Skyblivion is a passion project for fans.

Bethesda's Modding Policy and Precedents

Bethesda has a history of supporting modding communities, as evidenced by their Bethesda.net modding guidelines, which encourage mod creation but prohibit mods that allow users to circumvent purchasing add-on content. Skyblivion adheres to this by requiring legitimate copies of both Oblivion and Skyrim, so it doesn't violate Bethesda's policies in this regard.

However, Bethesda could theoretically take action against Skyblivion if they view it as competing with an official remaster. For example:

IP and Copyright Concerns: As the owner of the Elder Scrolls intellectual property, Bethesda could argue that Skyblivion's extensive remake (rebuilding Cyrodiil, quests, and characters in Skyrim's engine) infringes on their rights, especially if they plan a similar official project.
Market Competition: If Bethesda releases a polished, official Oblivion remaster, they might see Skyblivion as a potential threat to sales, even though Skyblivion is free and requires purchasing the original games. Some Reddit users expressed frustration that Bethesda might allow Xbox players to access a remaster but not make Skyblivion easily accessible on consoles, suggesting potential tension.

Despite this, there's no evidence Bethesda has historically shut down fan mods for competing with official projects unless they involve piracy or profit (which Skyblivion does not). For instance, Bethesda has allowed other major fan projects, like Skywind (a Morrowind remake in Skyrim's engine), to continue without interference, even as they develop their own titles.

Skyblivion's Unique Position

Several factors make it unlikely Bethesda would shut down Skyblivion outright:

Non-Profit, Volunteer Nature: Skyblivion is a labor of love by fans, not a commercial entity. Shutting it down could alienate the modding community, which Bethesda relies on for extending the life of their games.
Requirement for Legitimate Copies: Skyblivion's requirement to own both Oblivion and Skyrim aligns with Bethesda's policies, ensuring it doesn't undermine sales of their base games.
Community Support: The mod has garnered significant attention, with over 1.1 million views on its trailer. Bethesda might see value in allowing it to coexist as a fan-driven complement to their official offerings, similar to how they've supported other modding projects.
Skyblivion's Lead's Confidence: Rebelzize's comment to VG247 indicates the Skyblivion team believes their project won't be impacted, possibly because they've communicated with Bethesda or understand the company's stance on fan mods.

Potential Scenarios

Here are a few possible outcomes if Bethesda releases an official Oblivion remaster:

Coexistence: Bethesda could allow Skyblivion to continue, recognizing it as a unique fan creation that doesn't directly compete with a paid product. This is the most likely scenario, given Bethesda's history with mods and Skyblivion's non-commercial status.
Limited Action: Bethesda might request specific changes to Skyblivion (e.g., altering branding or distribution methods) to avoid confusion with an official remaster, but a full shutdown seems unlikely unless the mod violates IP in a significant way.
Shutdown: In a worst-case scenario, Bethesda could issue a cease-and-desist if they feel Skyblivion threatens their remaster's market or IP. However, this would be controversial and could damage their relationship with the modding community, as some Reddit users have already suggested it would be a "dick move" if Bethesda blocked Skyblivion.

Conclusion

Based on current information, it's unlikely Bethesda would shut down Skyblivion entirely, even if they release an official Oblivion remaster. The mod's non-profit, fan-driven nature, adherence to Bethesda's modding policies, and the company's history of supporting modding communities suggest they would prefer coexistence. However, the situation could change depending on the scope of Bethesda's remaster, their business strategy, and any legal or IP concerns that arise.

That said, the rumors of an Oblivion remaster are still unconfirmed, and the leaked documents are several years old, so Bethesda might not even proceed with the project. If you're a Skyblivion fan, the project's 2025 release could still happen without interference, especially since the Skyblivion team seems prepared to navigate any potential overlap with an official remaster.

If you're concerned, keeping an eye on official announcements from Bethesda and updates from the Skyblivion team (via their website or social media) would be the best way to stay informed. For now, the mod appears safe, but the tech and gaming landscape can shift quickly! Let me know if you'd like me to dig deeper into Bethesda's past actions with mods or specific legal considerations.