"Oblivion Remastered: Dev Admits World-Scale Leveling Error"

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A former The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion developer has admitted that implementing the world-scale leveling system was an error in hindsight. Read on to discover his full thoughts on the feature and how changes in Oblivion Remastered have been received.

Oblivion Remastered Earns Praise from Former Developer

Despite its return in Oblivion Remastered, the world-scale leveling system has drawn criticism from one of the game’s original creators. In a recent interview with VideoGamer, Bruce Nesmith—lead designer on the original Oblivion and also known for his work on Fallout 3, Skyrim, and Starfield—shared his reflections on the game's design choices.

He noted that while the remaster’s updated leveling mechanics were a step in the right direction for modern audiences, the inclusion of world-scale leveling remained problematic.

In the original release, players had to repeatedly level up their major skills, rest to finalize the progression, and then increase core attributes. The remaster streamlines this into a more familiar XP-based system akin to Skyrim, which Nesmith described as a "brave" but necessary change.

However, he expressed regret over retaining the world-scale leveling mechanic. This system dynamically scales enemy levels based on player progression, which Nesmith believes undermines the sense of advancement.

He explained, “I think the world leveling with you was a mistake—and that’s proven out by the fact it didn’t happen the same way in Skyrim.”

Fans have echoed similar sentiments since the original launch in 2006, often turning to mods to address the issue. With Oblivion Remastered once again including this feature, modders have taken it upon themselves to provide alternatives for those who prefer a static difficulty curve.

More Than Just a Visual Upgrade

While many expected only minor visual enhancements akin to Skyrim: Special Edition, Nesmith admitted he was surprised by the depth of the remaster. Speaking again with VideoGamer, he said, “It’s a staggering amount of remastering. It almost needs its own word, quite frankly. I’m not sure ‘remaster’ actually does it justice.”

Bethesda went beyond simple texture upgrades, rebuilding the entirety of Tamriel using Unreal Engine 5. This allowed developers to break free from the limitations of the original engine and deliver a vastly improved experience.

Community reception has been overwhelmingly positive, praising the technical and visual overhaul. At Game8, we awarded Oblivion Remastered a score of 90 out of 100, calling it a heartfelt tribute to Cyrodiil and a masterful reimagining powered by modern technology. For our full review and impressions, check out our detailed breakdown below!