"Oblivion Remastered Surges on Steam, Set for Further Growth"

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered made a spectacular debut on Steam, achieving a peak concurrent player count of over 180,000 on its release day. Bethesda's surprise launch on April 22 propelled the game to the pinnacle of Steam's global top-selling games list, surpassing heavyweights like Valve's Counter-Strike 2, the viral sensation Schedule I, and Blizzard's Overwatch 2, which had just received a major update.

Not only did Oblivion Remastered top the sales charts, but it also secured the fourth spot among the most-played games on Steam that day, trailing only behind Counter-Strike 2, PUBG, and Dota 2. It stands out as the most-played single-player RPG on the platform, outranking the popular Baldur's Gate 3, and boasts a 'very positive' user review rating.

While Steam statistics provide a snapshot of the game's success, the full scope of Oblivion Remastered's launch extends beyond these numbers. As a title under Microsoft's wing—owing to their ownership of Bethesda's parent company, ZeniMax Media—the game was immediately accessible to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. This likely contributed significantly to its player base. Additionally, the release on PlayStation 5 and standard Xbox Series X and S further amplifies its reach. Although Microsoft and Sony do not disclose player numbers, the true peak concurrent player count on launch day is undoubtedly much higher than the 180,000 reported on Steam.

Despite the lack of official total player or sales figures from Bethesda, the game's initial success is undeniable. With the weekend ahead, player numbers are expected to surge even more.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

View 6 Images

Developed by remake experts Virtuos using Unreal Engine 5, Oblivion Remastered boasts a host of visual and feature enhancements. It delivers gameplay at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, but the improvements go beyond the expected. The leveling systems, character creation, combat animations, and in-game menus have all been refined. New dialogue, a revamped third-person view, and advanced lip sync technology are among the welcomed additions. Fans have been so impressed by these changes that some argue it should be classified as a remake rather than a remaster. Bethesda, however, has clarified their choice to label it as a remaster.

Originally released in 2006, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion followed the beloved Morrowind, launching on PC and Xbox 360, with a PlayStation 3 version arriving in 2007. Set in the fictional province of Cyrodiil, the game follows the player's quest to thwart a fanatical cult's efforts to open portals to the demonic realm of Oblivion.

For those diving into Oblivion Remastered, our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know, from an expansive Interactive Map and complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and Guild Quests, to tips on building the perfect character and essential early-game actions.