Skyblivion Unveils Final Region Foundations in Latest C3 Gameplay Demo

Skyblivion, the ambitious modding venture breathing new life into The Elder Scrolls IV by recreating it within the Skyrim engine, recently unveiled some exciting quest gameplay footage at C3 (Community Creations Con), all in anticipation of its slated 2025 debut.

Initially planned as a 30-minute showcase, the gameplay preview extended to about 40 minutes. This slight overrun was due, in classic gaming unpredictability, to an NPC deciding to take a break from their usual spot and throwing a minor curveball to the team.

In the latest update, given that the Skyblivion team recently celebrated a significant milestone by completing landscaping in Cyrodiil’s Niben Basin and Valley, the gameplay primarily spotlighted Cheydinhal and its surroundings. During this update, we were treated to quick views of two quests: one from the Fighters Guild involving Biene Amelion’s financial woes, and a memorable favorite, ‘A Brush with Death.’ If that doesn’t ring a bell, it’s the quest where you traverse into the painted world of the dark elf artist, Rythe Lythandas, to save him using a magic brush.

The standout feature in both quests is the remarkable detail and polish in Skyblivion’s environments, a testament to the team’s dedication. When project lead Kyle ‘Rebelzize’ Rebel casually strolled into Cheydinhal, it sparked a sense of nostalgia, showing how the team has preserved the essence of the original while refining its more dated aspects.

The quest’s painted world exemplifies this blend of old and new. In the 2025 take on vanilla Oblivion, this space is more than just a room with an oil painting vibe; in Skyblivion, it’s transformed into an expansive dungeon that retains its striking appeal while embracing Skyrim’s more realistic visuals, culminating in an area textured like unpainted canvas.

There’s also an interesting update with the mod’s new interaction menu UI. This feature, distinctively designed to capture Oblivion’s spirit, balances the Skyrim-like elements of the mod’s inventory, compass, and map system. Plus, if you encounter skeleton enemies, you might notice some have tails – a subtle touch from the modders who crafted unique skeletons for elves and other races, surpassing even the diversity found in Skyrim.

While a precise release date remains unspecified, with only a broad 2025 window in play, the team reiterated their optimism: “We are confident we can get it out this year.”

What are your thoughts on this new glimpse into Skyblivion? Feel free to share below, and don’t miss our recent interview with Skyblivion project lead Rebel for insights into the team’s reaction to those official Oblivion remake rumors.