Oblivion Remastered: Former Developer Reflects on World-Scale Leveling Flaw

A former developer of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion acknowledges the world-scale leveling system as a design misstep. Discover his insights on the remaster’s updates and the game’s enduring popularity.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Earns Praise from Original Developer

World-Scale Leveling Persists in Oblivion Remastered

In a candid discussion with VideoGamer, Bruce Nesmith, a key designer on the original Oblivion, admitted that incorporating world-scale leveling was a flaw, even though it remains in the remaster. Nesmith shared his perspective on the game’s leveling mechanics.

Beyond Oblivion, Nesmith contributed to quest and system design for Fallout 3, Skyrim, and Starfield. He noted that the remaster’s refined leveling system enhances playability for today’s audience.

In the original game, players had to repeatedly level major skills and rest to boost attributes. The remaster adopts a Skyrim-like approach, allowing XP gains across all skills. Nesmith commended Bethesda’s bold decision to implement this change.

Yet, Nesmith expressed reservations about the retained world-scale leveling, where enemies scale with the player’s level. He remarked, “It feels like leveling up doesn’t matter when the entire dungeon scales alongside you.”

He elaborated, “World-scale leveling was a mistake, as evidenced by its absence in Skyrim’s design.” Since Oblivion’s 2006 debut, fans have voiced similar concerns, creating mods to address this issue. With the remaster retaining this feature, the community continues to develop solutions.

Oblivion Remastered Redefines the Classic

Rumors of an Oblivion remaster circulated widely, but the scope of the project exceeded expectations. Nesmith, expecting minor texture upgrades akin to Skyrim: Special Edition, was astonished by the team’s ambition.

In another VideoGamer interview, he lauded the developers, stating, “The level of remastering is extraordinary. The term ‘remaster’ barely captures the effort involved.”

Bethesda’s commitment shines through in this remaster, with Tamriel rebuilt using Unreal Engine 5. This upgrade overcomes the original’s technical limitations, earning widespread acclaim. Game8 awarded Oblivion Remastered a 90/100, celebrating its vibrant homage to Cyrodiil, reimagined with cutting-edge technology. Dive into our full review for more insights!