There have been concerns recently from the community about Skyblivion’s goal of releasing in 2025.
Some are worried about the quality. Some are not happy with the missing systems and mechanics from Oblivion.
Should they release a beta build by the end of the year or should they take more time?
#morrowind #elderscrolls #skyrim #bethesda
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really brother ? we already waitied a lot , a delay is no matter !!! when you are ready release it ! take your time !!
Putting a beta on a discord server a few months before the official Nexus release sounds like a good idea.
Of course,why Rush something you have worked on for 12yrs just too make your own set date, I'm sure i speak for fans when i say we would prefer it complete and polished and a few months later than planned.
Delay it until it's genuinely finished
Yes! Please do not make the mistake of releasing this in a broken state. This could be something people will play and mod for years to come, or it could be something that will make all of the enormous efforts a waste of everyone's time. I'd love for it to be the the first and not the latter.
Any project the size of Skyblivion should be released first as a public Alpha. In that way people installing it know up front they are installing a potentially buggy mess of a mod, expansion, or overhaul. After the Alpha release phase there could be be (but may not necessarily be) a Beta release where users would know that what they are installing is a mostly finished addon to their game that like contains a number of bugs, some of which may be quest, or even game, breaking.
To not release a project like this as a public Alpha initially would, in my opinion, be reckless.
I have mixed feelings about these 'revelations' and concerns. The wall of text released by the ex-dev had more than a whiff of disgruntled shit-stirring to it. If you depart a project you're invested in, because you disagree with the direction, I don't believe it's normal or appropriate to drub current efforts in the court of public opinon. It came off a bit spiteful and one-sided to me. It seems self-evident the release will be delayed, if it isn't in a polished state by the end of the year. They're under no financial obligation to release in 2025, if they need a few extra months to cross the finish line they'll take it. Anyone who's followed development of a commercial game knows release dates are set to create a goal for development; setting the cadence of work and targets. The last 10-20% of development always takes the longest, every time. With a project like Skyblivion, consisting of almost no guaranteed workforce or output, in the debacle of this year's economic climate, I feel people are being a bit dramatic about this.
Regarding missing skills and systems: I completely disagree. The game is designed, fundamentally, as Skyrim–The Game in Oblivion's world, or a hybrid of the two. If you want the pure Oblivion experience, you definitely should play that game, it's still a great! Or the remaster, if you like the graphical upgrade (not my cup of tea, but each to their own), there's room for both a remaster and a remake with different gameplay. Focusing just on what's missing misses the point and ignores all the improvements: in environmental design; scope; immersion; combat fluidity and more; which lean in to Skyrim's strengths such as exploration and its action-rpg focus.
Do I wish they'd implemented some of Oblivion's more quirky and esoteric systems? Sure, a bit disappointed about acrobatics being cut, mobility/traversal skills being already kind of limited in Skyrim. A school of magic less isn't a tragedy, so long as some of the spells make the jump to other traditions. Armourer and Mercantile really come from a different school of pure RPGs, and could be argued as not sorely missed in the modern Elder Scrolls gameplay (YMMV of course). I don't believe they're making an appearance in Skywind either, correct me if I'm wrong. Speaking of which, Skywind's biggest additions by far are Levitation and the new weapon types, which therefore require associated skills, both more essential to Morrowind's identity than anything cut from Skyblivion. These are terrific, for sure, but we've yet to hear anything definitive about spell crafting there either, which sounds like it will be a far more simplified affair.
Summing up, it doesn't feel fair to compare Skyblivion and og Oblivion, as a simple list of features and gameplay mechanics. Then just say "oh yeah and the remaster has better graphics, too". They are simply two different games, made for different audience expectations. It's not a zero sum game, they're supposed to feel different to play. Secondly, the 'improved' visuals of the remaster are subjective. The mood is totally different; the atmospherics and world textures are bland and generic (although NPCs do look way better); many of the new monster designs are just bad and significantly less iconic; some important textures show evidence of AI generated mistakes; and the game runs like garbage. No shade if you love it, but it's not the original game by a long shot. Despite the less complex models, older rendering technology and lighting, Skyblivion's world is more detailed, varied and lively. They've picked a distinct art style and run with it, somehow coordinating dozens of artists, over more than a decade, into something coherent and evocative. There's a lot more to video game visuals than engine generations and fidelity.
It's been a decade, I am going to take the approach I took on Beyond Skyrim and simply not wait anymore. This won't release. Ever.
Delay it
By the way, Rebelzize said on a stream, that he won't be working on Skyblivion in 2027, as he wanted to focus on his family and have kids and if work is done 2027 on Skyblivion, it will be without him.
So, if Skyblivion gets delayed into 2026, we can forget about a remake of the DLCs.
Yeah, Lordbound, in its current condition, is a letdown. It is highly unfinished. It is said that half the NPCs would be voiced so far, but I only encountered 2 (out of a few dozen) that were actually voiced. The rest is basically delivering a novel they expect you to read in textlines (and I personally hated this about Morrowind in 2003 already, because when there is so much information that you'd actually have to sit down and read for hours on end, then that really takes the fun out of the experience). I would have prefered they kept Lordbound under wraps at least until all the npcs are voiced. The places are also pretty deserted. Sure, lots of guards, but actual townsfolk? A rarity. Also the quest structures and storylines are rather mundane: Go fetch an item or save a person, then go back to the questgiver and get your reward. And that a Kahjiit can freely roam the streets of Whiterun unmolested, while Ri'Saad needs to camp outside with his band of traders because the Nord are infamously racist against them, is rather lore breaking. I dunno… I just wasn't impressed with what Lordbound was presenting there.
I hope Skyblivion isn't as unfinished as Lordbound turned out to be.
Nobody accepts a half-baked product. It doesn't matter if it is paid or free, or if it's from a professional team or a modding team. Nobody wants to waste their time by being an involuntary beta-tester.
People need to stop treating mod projects like they are actually fully funded games you have to pay for, and this includes the modding teams of these projects themselves. It's this sort of mentality that keeps projects from ever releasing.
It's fine if a mod comes out not finished or a bit buggy, those of us who opt in to play the mod can use it as an opportunity to troubleshoot and play test for the mod team and with time it can get patched up into a state that everyone can enjoy.
"But just imagine, if you have worked on a project for more than 10 years and then, when it’s out, you realize the need for 1 or 2 years of polish work. That must be a deflating feeling for many of the devs. My sympathy and empathy are with them."
The issue with that statement is no matter what the project is, either as a game, a mod or something like Fallout London, Skyblivion, Skywind and so on is that it should be expected that post release bugs and fixes are a thing
If Skyblivion is being ran like a portfolio piece then the end result will be the same as any game, It will release with issues and need repairs post launch
Its foolish to think that any game doesn't need an update after launch, so why would a mod made in the creation engine that is recreating a game not going to need those same post launch repairs?
Fallout London is now the standard of high end mods and very big projects
Now for me take your time
Maybe worst case put out as beta build by invite only and then an open alpha build.
They should just never release it. I know it’s been a development for over a decade, but they need at least another two decades to finish it. I don’t wanna play it unless it’s 100% perfect game of all time. My expectations for a mod made by amateurs is off the chart and I am definitely not gonna be disappointed. I am Indian and have a pc that can only play Skyrim. THIS IS ALL I HAVE
Nah man y’all tripping. Release the mod and patch it up along the way. Not everyone needs a “perfect experience” to enjoy. Later patches promote replays anyway. release the damn thing.
I've played Lordbound for about 50 hours. It's 80% complete, in my opinion. I couldn't complete it due to bugs. Some of them are likely caused by having a lot of other mods. However, the 80% that's complete and I've seen is very cool, and I enjoyed it. Despite the challenges, I didn't regret playing it, and I had a positive experience. The mod is excellent. Yes, I couldn't complete it, but I could reload and continue playing by ignoring certain aspects. However, the 50 hours of gameplay were overall an interesting and positive experience, and I'm glad that the developers have released the mod. Therefore, I hope that Skyoblivion will eventually become available for players to enjoy, even with its bugs. However, it's important to inform the community about this.
Release when ready I’ll be patient for such a epic adventure
I'd be happy to assist with the beta and report bugs.but if they'd be happier releasing later, I'm happy with that!
They should release Skyblivion when its really finished and ready. If you need more time than take more time. If it takes one or even two years longer to finish this masterpiece so be it. It would be a terrible decision to release it unfinished
I will happily wait another year if they make cities open.
🙂 Great Video again. "Finish and Polish" it *Definatly. Rushed, Deadlines and the like are the #1 cause for broken, cut content and the other we cuss about every day from the studio's that are largely dominated by Penny Pinchers, Greedy cant Wait ($$) managers, and bosses that believe the finish line is more important than the talent, story and good idea's required to have a good adventure. "Dont Be That Company", when you can be the best still.
Anybody saying they should release it in 2025 is frankly giving terrible advice. When has releasing an unfinished game ever gone down well? To me it’s clear from watching recent streams that the game roughly needs another 6 months in the oven. Releasing in March 2026 (Oblivion’s 20th anniversary) makes the most sense.
If they release it in a rush this year the majority of the fanbase will just say that it’s broken and that they shouldn’t have had such high expectations for something that was “only a mod” etc etc. We as gamers as so used to playing games that made by proper studios with proper budgets, let’s not rush the modders who are making this in their spare time with no money for the sake of waiting only an extra couple of months
not a question of should or shouldnt. not even a question at this point… its mid october now and we still dont have a release date. no chance of it coming out within the next 2 months so they wont make the 2025 window. maybe in 6 months theyll finally drop it
I can't wait to play it, but still, release when ready, that's all I say!
Happy to wait. It would honestly be such a shame if it were to release in a sub par state after soo much time and effort by the modding team.
Acceptable delay is, for me, around 4 to 5 months, not longer. It is evident that Skyblivion will not be ready for "very end of December" release. Unless they get some external help and increase quality modding time.
Same here, no issue with a delay for any futher tweaks or polishing before the release.
Oblivion remastered>skyblivion
If they didn't release it this year they're all fraud to me and i focused more on oblivion remastered
man… it is SKYblivion… oblivion into the SKYRIM engine… NOT oblivion remaster, NOT oblivion remake, NOT an oblivion mod… this is a SKYRIM MOD!!! what a sc*mbag this guy…
Fallout London was overwhelmingly buggy and that got worldwide praise. Modders arent held to the same standard as paid developers, and rightly so. Theres more leeway with something thats free .vs something you've paid for.
As someone that will play this for years to come, and that cant wait. Yes. If they think they really need. too. Could be march or April for 2026 I mean…. Do a March 20 release…. Because then its the 20th year since the release of Oblvion 20/3/2006
release it and then patch it next year
I mean, you can't release it without The Imperial City finished.
They should delay until the Imperial city and the Oblivion gates are complete.
They could delay until 20th March, the exact 20th year anniversary of Oblivion!
Don't release it. Let it be done and after that we are good to go.
Delaying definitely