"The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered" is no longer a rumor. During its initial launch, it immediately pleased fans by providing not only a refined version of the favorite RPG but also ample new content.
Included with the Deluxe Edition, players receive two brand-new quests with powerful equipment associated with the gods Mehrunes Dagon and Akatosh. These quests provide distinctive armor sets and weapons representing order and disorder, as well as two variations of horse armor named "Order" and "Cataclysm."
Aside from gameplay, the Deluxe Edition provides a digital art book and a soundtrack app, providing players with greater depth into "Oblivion's" development and atmosphere. Providing this bonus content is a sign that Bethesda is committed, for the time being, to including value where they did not leave out essential components of the game.
A Bountiful Remaster or a Prelude to Future Paid Content?
Bethesda wisely bundles the original expansions, "Shivering Isles" and "Knights of the Nine", for free as part of the base remaster. Doing so adds approximately 15 hours of gameplay without the added cost, establishing a good precedent for what remastered editions ought to include, How-to Geek points out.
But history reminds us to be careful. The additional content in "Oblivion Remastered" Deluxe Edition is a nice bonus today, but it also leads us to a larger question if Bethesda will remain honest or revert to exploitative monetization.
Bethesda's History of Microtransactions and Paid Mods
Bethesda has a history of monetization blunders. The notorious "Horse Armor" DLC for the first "Oblivion" in 2006 sold cosmetic armor to players for just nearly $3, creating an industry-wide uproar. A later paid mod system for Skyrim sought to monetize fan-created content, generating criticism about price and quality.
With that being said, these actions undermined the original goodwill of devoted communities and converted creative worlds into possible cash-in ventures.
Gamers are concerned that even with the generous gesture in "Oblivion Remastered," Bethesda may one day return to the same profit-oriented tactics, particularly given their increasing connections to Xbox Game Pass.
The Risk of Game Trials Over Full Access
Another concerning trend is the increasing popularity of game trials on platforms such as Game Pass. Although Bethesda games previously were guaranteed full-day-one releases, the fine print now changes.
Deluxe Editions, such as "Oblivion," are fine as additional purchases, but they bring with them the possibility of providing only "trial" access for new games while keeping the full experience behind a separate paywall.
EA's approach with "Dragon Age: The Veilguard" trials on Game Pass demonstrates how quickly whole access can flip into gated demos that are intended to sell more games. Bethesda might ultimately go down this route, endangering the goodwill they're restoring now with Oblivion Remastered.
Hopeful But Watchful
The "Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered" feels like a true labor of love for fans—full to bursting with content, expansive with add-ons, and reasonably priced. That said, Bethesda's dubious history with microtransactions, paid mods, and flip-flopping Game Pass plans means fans must remain optimistic but vigilant.
