Skyblivion, the ambitious mod project that’s bringing The Elder Scrolls IV to life using Skyrim’s engine, recently showcased some new quest gameplay during the Community Creations Con (C3) as it gears up for its 2025 release.
The team initially planned for a 30-minute gameplay demo, but it ended up running about 40 minutes. Sometimes, you stroll into a building only to find an NPC has decided to take a seat in an unexpected corner—just one of those fun, unplanned moments in gaming.
Just this week, the Skyblivion crew hit a major milestone, completing the landscaping work for Cyrodiil’s last region, the Niben Basin and Valley. Consequently, this gameplay preview focused mainly on Cheydinhal and its surroundings.
During the showcase, we were treated to two quests: a Fighters Guild mission involving Biene Amelion’s debt and the iconic ‘A Brush with Death,’ where players enter the painted world of dark elf artist Rythe Lythandas to rescue him from his magical canvas.
The attention to detail and the polish evident in Skyblivion’s world is truly remarkable. Project lead Kyle ‘Rebelzize’ Rebel casually strolled into Cheydinhal, sparking memories of countless similar entries from both the original and modded Oblivion. It’s heartening to see how the team has managed to preserve the essence of the classic while refining its rough 2006 edges.
In vanilla Oblivion, Rythe’s painted world feels like a cozy room with a unique yet understated charm. Skyblivion, on the other hand, expands this into a more immersive dungeon experience, retaining that visual flair despite Skyrim’s more realistic graphics. The environment culminates in a space that looks like an unpainted canvas, cleverly bridging the two artistic styles.
Notable improvements also include a revamped interaction menu UI. It’s specifically designed to capture Oblivion’s vibe, offering a refreshing contrast to the Skyrim-esque inventory, compass, and map—unsurprising since the mod runs in TES V. Additionally, keep an eye out for skeleton enemies; you might notice some sporting tails. This is due to the unique skeleton models created for elves and beast races, adding an extra layer of detail that surpasses even Skyrim.
Though an exact release date hasn’t been pinned down yet, the developers remain optimistic about launching within the anticipated 2025 timeframe. They’ve assured fans, “We are confident we can get it out this year.”
What are your thoughts on the latest peek at Skyblivion? We’d love to hear from you in the comments. Don’t miss our recent interview with Skyblivion’s project lead, Rebel, especially if you’re curious about the team’s take on those official Oblivion remake rumors.
