For the past few years our team has been
chipping away at a seemingly impossible feat, to remake the elder scrolls IV Oblivion in the
latest elder scrolls engine. While we are still a ways out we hope that this series will show
you how far one of the most ambitious modding projects of our generation has come and where we
are headed. Welcome to the making of Skyblivion Since our last development diary we
have made a great deal of progress which we are excited to share with you all today.
Most notable updates for this period are the reconstruction of the city of Bruma, new goblin
tribes, clothing for the citizens of Cyrodiil, unique weapons, Daedric artifacts and much
MUCH more. While progress has been steady we are always on the lookout for more volunteers
to help us finish the project and get it into your hands as soon as possible, especially if
you have modding experience or 3D knowledge but also any of the other skills listed
on our website at www.skyblivion.com To kick things off we highlight a group of green
almost human-like creatures, Goblins. These highly aggressive critters are considered good
sport for the keen hunter but be warned though, they range between the size of a small child and
a fully grown Bosmer. What they lack in height and intelligence they make up for in strength in
numbers. These feral creatures reside throughout the homeland of the imperials, often huddled
together in dank caves and abandoned ruins. With their limited intelligence goblins are not
known for their resourcefulness but they have at least recognized civilized areas are a treasure
trove of food, weapons and tools. Goblin raids are therefore a genuine concern for residents of
smaller settlements away from well-defended cities and strongholds. It's no wonder Goblins are so
widely despised across cyrodiil and regarded as pests akin to rats and slaughterfish. Indeed
goblins often group together to form tribes with a hierarchy of sorts, generally goblin tribes
are headed by a shaman that is revered by the rest of the group and functions as a spiritual leader.
Beneath the shaman are various goblins that take on certain roles within the tribe. Warlords
for example are the most skilled in battle and typically lead the charge in armed conflict.
Other notable roles are Skirmishers, Berserkers and even Chefs. That's right even goblins
need someone in charge of serving up the grub, nothing worth trying out mind you unless
you have a taste for rats and (raw)fish. Throughout Cyrodiil it is thought there
are at least seven tribes of goblins that can be identified by their tattoos and
skin tone. The Bitter Fish clan based in the ruins of Miscarriand, the Bloody
Hand tribe based in Crackwood cavem the Dust Eater clan based in Baron mine, the
Rock Biter clan based in Timberscar hollow, the Sharp Tooth clan based in Derelict mine,
the Skull Breaker clan based in Wendebeck cave, the Three Feather clan based in Plundered mine
and lastly the aptly named White Skin clan based in goblin gym's cave. While these clans
belong to the same species they can be found waging war against one another. The exact reason
for which is not clear but what is is that goblins are willing to fight to the death to assert
their supremacy and eradicate rival clans. Recreating 3D assets is a significant element of
the Skyblivion project. In order to give you the fully realized remake oblivion deserves we
are remaking all 3D assets such as plants, cutlery, chairs, bookcases, potions, weapons,
clothes, armors, creatures and buildings. While we have a clear vision for
these assets and how they will appear it has always been a struggle to find 3D
artists to help us realize this enormous task Swords and plants for example require quite
different skill sets which means not every 3D artist on our team is able to work in the areas
where we need the most assistance. What we have achieved so far however is beyond incredible and
we are proud to announce that the majority of the 3D assets on our to-do list have been completed.
Architecture is perhaps the greatest challenge we have faced during Skyblivion's development cycle,
indeed the city of Leyawiin alone has 111 separate pieces. In that number are entire buildings but
also interior kits and smaller bits and bobs like doors and quest related pieces such as
pipes and boilers connected to the fighters guild that have been tapping into the power of the
Hist, a species of trees that grant much power to those who drink its sap. A lot of time and more
importantly people are needed to recreate those hundreds of pieces for every city. While work
is complete on such sets as the Ayleid Ruins, lower class houses, farms, forts and with the
help of our friends at Beyond Skyrim, cities like Skingrad, Bruma and Bravil there is still
much left to do. Currently we are chipping away at the city of Leyawiin and the famous Imperial
City. If you have the skills to help us with the last leg of Skyblivion's architecture development
we would warmly welcome you into our ranks. An essential distinction between Oblivion
and Skyrim is the people themselves. Unlike Skyrim's hairy towering Nords who seem just
as comfortable in armor as clothes Cyrodiil is inhabited by a more cultured population.
While the clean and mostly clean shaven faces of Cyrodiil help to create an important
contrast from Skyrim's more rugged counterparts it's the clothes that really make the
difference. We pride ourselves in the recreation of the distinctive attires of Cyrodiil.
When wandering the streets of the Imperial City or Skingrad you may behold the upper classes
flaunting their colorful suits and dresses, but if you find all that color a bit too
nauseating we also offer more modest garments. There is something for everyone here it's just
a matter of finding the right trader or donor. One of the great draws of the Elder Scrolls
series has always been the hunt for artifacts and unique weapons. Skyblivion will
not only reimagine them but also overhaul how artifacts work. Daedric artifacts
are weapons quite literally forged by the gods. It is only fitting that they should be elevated
above the mundane smithery of men and mer. When recreating unique weapons we first unleash
our concept department on the original oblivion weapon in order to conceive of a design that
better fits its name or origin. A good example is the legendary sword by the name of Umbra. You
will be tasked by none other than Clavicus Vile, Daedric prince of trickery and bargains to relieve
its current owner of the burden that is Umbra. You may find however that once the sword
is in your possession it will be hard to part with as its whispers pursue you to wield
it in its name. The new and improved artifact will glow as it consumes the souls of those
who perish in its vicinity and not only those by your hand. Should the temptations of this
dark power not sway you however you may return the blade to the Daedric prince as instructed
and in kind received the Mask of Clavicus vile. For those who prefer blunt brute force
Volendrung has to be a fan favorite. This mighty warhammer once belonged to a clan
of Dwemer and has since mysteriously come into the ownership of Malacath, god of curses, who
offers it to you in return for a bloody favor. If fulfilling the scheme of the Daedric prince
does not deter you then a mighty hammer that can quite literally shake the earth at your will
shall be yours, until it decides to vanish as Daedric artifacts are known to do. Moving on
to another fan favorite we have Gold Brand. This splendid golden katana is one of the most powerful
weapons a mortal could ever wield, granted by none other than the prince of treachery, Boethia.
Granted in this case however requires murdering nine other chosen of Boethiah in bloody
tournament combat you will find the blade is not only blessed with an unrivaled cutting
edge but also a magical enchantment that scorches your enemies when crossing blades as well as from
afar. If you'd rather not make deals with Daedric princes we have plenty of unique weapons that can
be obtained as quest rewards from scavenger hunts or even with your hard-earned coin. Our current
favorite has to be the Bow of Infernal Frost. In the steady hands of a skilled marksman this weapon
is a force to be reckoned with and best of all the arrows melt away in time. A perfect weapon for
the discerning assassin which is why you can only obtain it via membership of the dark brotherhood.
While we have many more fascinating unique weapons and artifacts I think it would be best not to
spoil you and let you uncover them for yourself. Bruma. This northern city blanketed in snow
is home to a thriving Nord population and has been for centuries. This is no surprise
as Bruma is situated near the Skyrim border. This race of hardy humans are known for their
resistance to cold, just as well with the harsh climate of Bruma and the Jerall mountains beyond.
The nord influence extends beyond the population of bruma, when entering the city you will
be greeted by none other than Tyber Septim ,better known to the Nords a-s Talos. This man
turned god is viewed as the embodiment of Skyrim and therefore plays a vital role in Nord
culture, heritage and tradition. In fact, the great chapel of Bruma is dedicated to Talos.
Many Nords leave offerings at the shrine of Talos as a mark of reverence. While Talos receives
the lion's share of worship the remaining Eight Divines are also represented within these sacred
walls and they too are acknowledged by most Nords. While Bruma may not seem like the ideal travel
destination those who brave the frigid trip up the Jerall Mountains can expect open Nord
hospitality and many places of interest. A warm and cozy inn is just the relief
required after a long and cold trip. For those whose coin purse overfloweth nothing
beats the Jerall view in. Sanitary patrons, good food, as much high quality mead as you can
drink and a warm bed. For the traveler on a budget Olaf's tap and tack is a satisfactory alternative.
While the patrons may look a bit rough we assure you they are harmless and even merry as long as
the mead keeps flowing. Besides mead making Nords are also known for their smithing. Bruma has the
luxury of two master blacksmiths who specialize in weapons and armor. For those seeking something
sharp you can't go wrong with the Hammer and Axe, if you need strong well-fitting armor
then look no further than Nord Winds. Both shops offer a wide range of well-crafted
items to suit a range of requirements. If your heart yearns for adventure then be
sure to stop by the local fighters guild, they are always looking for
able-bodied keen-spirited souls. Should the arcane pique your interest then the
nearby mages guild has exactly what you are after. If you are feeling charitable you can pay the
lower class district of Bruma a visit. While far from welcoming the residents mostly keep to
themselves and do not pose a threat to visitors. From the lowliest part of town we
can turn our eyes to the loftiest, castle Bruma. This fortified structure
houses the honorable countess Narina Carvene. While there is more to Bruma than discussed
here we shall leave that for you to explore yourselves when the time comes. Be warned
however, while bruma is seemingly peaceful there are hidden dangers brewing that are
sure to reveal themselves sooner or later Keep your wits about you. What started out
as a simple side project has evolved into one of the biggest modding projects to date.
Despite the massive scope of this project we are finally seeing the end of the road but
there is still work to be done. We hope this video has given you a better insight into the
project and perhaps has shown how some of you might be able to contribute yourselves only with
the Elder Scrolls modding community's talents and the support of this fantastic community
could we have ever gotten as far as we have. We hope you continue to support us as you have
for years and we are excited to share much more. For our next dev diary we would
love to hear what kind of topics you want us to talk about, be sure to
let us know in the comment section below. Thank you for watching and we will see you
in the next development diary take care.
So this is amazing for so many reasons. Oblivion is my favorite elder scroll game. Especially with the Shivering Isles dlc.
Haha I thought at first glance it was about a major update for New World.
I think people in this thread are missing the context of this, it's a huge huge incredible and high quality effort that began YEARS ago and is an endeavour to take years. That's why it's not got the graphics of Horizon Zero Dawn. It's taken years, quite rightly, and is done by a bunch of modders. Incredible effort
I often think when i see this and projects like it, why doesn’t Bethesda just give access to the newest engine to this mod teams, and have them remaster an old game, sponser it to some aspect. That way when it comes out they can benefit as well by selling it and they have a dev team that they are not paying for. Pardon my ignorance, but what am I missing here?
Still patiently awaiting Skywind
Amazing work so far!
I hope they add some motion back to the trees. One of the amazing things about Oblivion when it came out was that all of the folliage was affected by the wind. Every video I've seen of Skyblivion just has completely stationary trees which looks weird and unnatural.
I'm just glad you all are still working on it. So many mod projects promise the moon and just fizzle out.
Looks great. I am very interested in this. I have no skills to offer, regrettably, but I find this very impressive.