What's Happening?
The ambitious mod project Skyblivion, which aims to recreate Bethesda Softworks' Oblivion using the Skyrim engine, is still targeting a 2025 release. This comes despite criticism from former developer Dee Keyes, who left the project after nine years, citing concerns over unrealistic deadlines and lack of polish. Keyes described the project as more of a 'crunch project' than a passion project, expressing frustration over ignored pleas to postpone the release. The mod, in development for 13 years, promises new areas, dungeons, music, and gameplay enhancements. The team remains committed to releasing the mod when they are confident in its quality, according to communications lead Evan Flatt.
Why It's Important?
Skyblivion represents a significant effort by the modding community to enhance and preserve classic gaming experiences. The project's challenges highlight the pressures faced by unpaid developers working on large-scale projects. The criticism from Keyes underscores the difficulties in balancing passion with realistic project management, a common issue in the gaming industry. The mod's release could impact the gaming community by providing a fresh take on a beloved game, potentially influencing future modding projects and community expectations.
What's Next?
The Skyblivion team is focused on completing the necessary work to meet their release goals. They have indicated that the mod will be released when the team feels it is ready, with ongoing discussions about the project's readiness. The team plans to share updates if they decide to postpone the release. The mod will be available for free to those who own Skyrim: Special Edition and Oblivion: GOTY Deluxe on PC.
