Oblivion Remastered has reached over 9 million players just three months post-launch. Here’s what made it blow up, and what it might mean for future Bethesda remasters.
Oblivion Remastered: 9 Million Players Later, It’s Clear—Nostalgia Sells
No flashy marketing campaign. No endless hype cycle. Bethesda just casually announced Oblivion Remastered back in April, shadow-dropped it into the wild, and boom—three months later, nine million players have already jumped back into the land of Kvatch, cheese wheels, and weird Daedric side quests.
And that? That’s a flex.
Bethesda Thanks the Real MVPs: The Players
In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter, but we all still say Twitter), Bethesda gave a shoutout to the fans:
“Everyone who emerged as a hero of Kvatch, mastered Arch-Mage, rose to Grand Champion, banished the Blackwood Company, gallivanted as the Gray Fox, and listened to the Night.”
You know what? That’s basically every peak Oblivion moment rolled into a nostalgia nuke. The vibes are immaculate.
But Wait—Is That 9 Million Copies Sold?
Let’s keep it real: no, this isn’t 9 million full-price sales. Oblivion Remastered launched Day 1 on Xbox Game Pass, which means a big chunk of those numbers came from subscription-based access. That’s still impressive, but it’s worth noting that this isn’t Skyrim-level financial domination.
Still, in terms of player engagement and sheer interest? This remaster crushed expectations.
Why Oblivion Remastered Popped Off
Let’s be honest, this was always going to work. Why?
- Long-standing fan demand – People have been begging for this since Skyrim got its 47th rerelease.
- Remaster quality surprised everyone – It wasn’t a lazy upscale; it actually felt modern in all the right ways.
- Game Pass access – No barrier to entry means everyone and their mudcrab could try it.
- It’s Oblivion, bro – The memes, the Shivering Isles, the janky but lovable combat. It hits different.
The Flip Side: Studio Layoffs at Virtuos
Here’s the not-so-fun part: Despite this milestone, Virtuos—the studio that handled the remaster—still suffered layoffs.
Yeah. Nine million players didn’t stop the axe from swinging.
It’s a reminder that even high-performing games aren’t immune to the industry’s current volatility. Devs deserve better.
Fallout 3 Remaster Rumors—Is That Next?
You know this conversation was coming. With Oblivion Remastered doing numbers, Fallout 3 is next in line for glow-up rumors. It’s right there in the timeline, came out just two years after Oblivion, and it shares the same jank-era Bethesda engine DNA.
Fans have been whispering about a Fallout 3 remaster for years, and if this trend holds, we could be seeing nukes (and Liberty Prime) in shiny new lighting sooner than we think.
Whether Virtuos would return for another round is unclear, especially after the layoffs—but the demand is absolutely there.
What You Need to Know
Game: Oblivion Remastered
Milestone: 9 million players in 3 months
Released: April 2025
Platform Power: Game Pass = massive reach
Developer: Virtuos (also affected by layoffs)
Future Hopes: Fallout 3 remaster possibly on the radar
You’ll Always Remember the Night…
Oblivion Remastered didn’t just succeed—it dominated, all while flying under the radar. Bethesda and Virtuos brought one of the weirdest, most beloved RPGs of the 2000s back to life, and fans showed up.
But with player counts high and dev team morale reportedly low, it’s a bittersweet milestone. Still, if this momentum carries forward, don’t be surprised if you’re back in the Capital Wasteland within the year—Radroaches and all.
Your Turn: Did you jump back into Cyrodiil? What’s your favorite quest or NPC moment from Oblivion Remastered? And should Fallout 3 be next? Sound off in the comments—or just yell “STOP! YOU VIOLATED THE LAW!” for old time’s sake.
Also check:
Oblivion Remastered Attribute Tier List: Best Stats to Prioritize
All DLC Locations in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered (And How to Find Them)
Oblivion Remastered Changes Sneaking Mechanics, Surprising Longtime Fans
