Bethesda has no intention of shutting down Skyblivion, according to the Skyblivion team’s account of a conversation with the publisher. The assurance was reported in April 2025 after the team thanked Bethesda for supporting the project and giving its modders keys to Oblivion Remastered. It was the team—not a public Bethesda statement—that shared the wording.
What was said about Skyblivion
The Skyblivion team wrote: “To clear up any confusion Bethesda made it clear that they have no intention of shutting down our project.” Ars Technica and GamesRadar reported the team’s reply alongside its thanks for Bethesda’s support and the game keys. The available reporting does not establish that Bethesda published the quoted assurance itself.
The reassurance addressed speculation that the official Oblivion Remastered might put the fan project at risk. It did not announce an acquisition, integration with the remaster, or official Bethesda status for Skyblivion. Ars Technica’s April 2025 report and GamesRadar’s coverage attribute the assurance to the project team.
What Skyblivion is—and when it is expected
Skyblivion is a volunteer-led TESRenewal project rebuilding The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion in the Skyrim Special Edition engine. Bethesda previously featured project lead and creative director Rebelzize in its Monthly Modder profile; the project says development began in 2012.
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The project currently targets a 2026 release, with no public quarter-specific window. Its FAQ gives the current target. A December 3, 2025 announcement moved the earlier 2025 target to 2026, citing unfinished Imperial City assets and interiors, navmesh work, and quest implementation and debugging. The project’s delay announcement explains the change.
The initial release is planned to cover the base game. The team says work on expansions such as Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles will begin after release. Its remake plans include redesigned dungeons and Oblivion realms, updated assets, and an expanded exterior worldspace.
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How Skyblivion differs from Oblivion Remastered
| Project | What it is | Technical approach | Access and requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oblivion Remastered | Official Bethesda release | The Skyblivion FAQ says the remaster retains the original Oblivion engine. | Not detailed here. |
| Skyblivion | Volunteer-made remake project, not an official Bethesda product | Built for the Skyrim Special Edition engine. | Planned for PC; free, but requires Skyrim Special Edition and Oblivion GOTY Deluxe. |
The FAQ’s distinction between the projects is not a claim that Skyblivion replaces or is a substitute for the official remaster.
What players need to play Skyblivion
Skyblivion is described by its team as free, and the project says it does not accept donations or crowdfunding. To play it, the FAQ requires both Skyrim Special Edition and Oblivion GOTY Deluxe, obtained through Steam or GOG. It says physical copies are not guaranteed to work.
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- Supported target: The latest Skyrim Special Edition on Steam or GOG.
- Not supported: Console editions, because the mod requires game modification that console versions do not support. The FAQ says official Skyrim VR support is not planned.
- Unlikely platforms: Microsoft/Game Pass and Epic versions, because the project says their files differ or are encrypted.
- Installation: The team plans a custom installer and says there are no current plans to release the mod itself on Steam.
- Hardware: Fuller system requirements are expected closer to release. The FAQ’s current estimate is that a PC able to run Skyrim Special Edition on high settings should generally be suitable.
Bethesda has also voiced support publicly
The reported assurance about not shutting down the project is separate from public comments by Bethesda staff. In a Developer Spotlight, Bethesda Game Studios development lead Dan Lee said, “Even though I worked on Oblivion: Remastered, I’m still excited for Skyblivion.” GamesRadar also quoted him saying the project was “very special” and that it was “a great year for Oblivion fans.” These remarks, reported by GamesRadar on May 2, 2025, express enthusiasm; they do not make Skyblivion an official Bethesda release.
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