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

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered made a spectacular debut on Steam, reaching a peak concurrent player count of over 180,000 on its release day. Bethesda's surprise launch of the remastered version on April 22 propelled it to the top 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.

On its launch day, Oblivion Remastered secured the fourth spot among the most-played games on Steam, trailing only behind Counter-Strike 2, PUBG, and Dota 2. It also emerged as the most-played single-player RPG on the platform, outpacing the popular Baldur’s Gate 3, and boasting a 'very positive' user review rating.

While Steam's statistics provide a glimpse into the game's success, the full picture extends beyond these numbers. As a title under Microsoft's wing—due to Microsoft's ownership of Bethesda's parent company, ZeniMax Media—Oblivion Remastered was immediately available to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. This likely boosted its player base significantly, though exact figures for this service remain undisclosed.

Additionally, the game's release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S further amplifies its reach. Although neither Microsoft nor Sony release public player numbers, the total concurrent player count on launch day across all platforms would undoubtedly be much higher than the 180,000 reported on Steam.

While Bethesda has yet to release official total player or sales figures, the game's performance suggests a robust launch, with expectations of even higher numbers as it enters its first weekend on sale.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

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Developed by remake specialists Virtuos using Unreal Engine 5, Oblivion Remastered offers a host of visual and gameplay enhancements. Running at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, the game brings significant improvements to leveling systems, character creation, combat animations, and in-game menus. New dialogue, a refined third-person view, and advanced lip sync technology further elevate the experience. Fans have praised these updates, with some suggesting that the game could be considered more of a remake than a remaster. However, Bethesda has clarified its choice to label it as a remaster.

Originally released in 2006 as a sequel to the beloved Morrowind, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was available on PC and Xbox 360, with a PlayStation 3 version following in 2007. Set in the fictional province of Cyrodiil, the game follows the player's journey to thwart a fanatical cult intent on opening portals to the demonic realm of Oblivion.

For those diving into Oblivion Remastered, we've compiled a comprehensive guide that includes an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and all Guild Quests, tips on Building the Perfect Character, and a list of Things to Do First, among other resources.