Action RPG

The Shadow Drop Would Have Been More Fun If I Knew I Could Play The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

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Leading up to the launch of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, I had initially thought it would only be available for Xbox consoles due to Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda. Given that their latest major release, Starfield, was exclusive to Xbox and PC, this assumption seemed reasonable. However, since the “shadow drop” strategy meant no prior announcement about the game’s platform availability, I had no reason to expect it would be on any other platforms until its release.

Earlier this week, when the remastered version was launched, I looked it up online and found it available for Xbox, PC, and Steam, but didn’t notice any information about PS5. Admittedly, my search wasn’t thorough, but that’s what a quick Google search showed me. So, I assumed I’d have to check if my computer is capable of running it, and moved on with my day.

But then, while perusing top-mob.com (a good website, check it out), I saw an article confirming that the game was indeed out on PS5. That’s where I play most new games, so that’s great for me. But the fact that either option could have been true points to Xbox’s ongoing issue in how it communicates about exclusivity.

Can I Play This Game Or Not?

It’s logical for Oblivion to be released across multiple platforms since it was originally on PS3. That being said, Xbox’s history shows that they don’t always choose the most sensible option when releasing third-party games. Their approach to these releases has been inconsistent and unpredictable, and Oblivion is just another instance of this pattern.

In some cases, Xbox is adopting a more accommodating, multi-platform strategy. Games like Doom: The Dark Ages and The Outer Worlds 2 will be available on PS5, likely due to their predecessors being on previous PlayStation systems. However, it can become perplexing when games developed by the same studios are exclusive to Xbox consoles. For instance, Oblivion, a remastered game from Bethesda Game Studios, is playable on both Xbox and PS5. Yet, Starfield, another title from BGS, is exclusive to Xbox. Similarly, The Outer Worlds 2, developed by Obsidian, will be playable on both PS5 and Xbox, but Avowed, also from the same developer, is exclusive to Xbox.

From my perspective as a follower of the gaming industry, I can see a certain pattern emerging. Games that were initially available across multiple platforms continue to be so, while new games without a history on other systems remain exclusive to Xbox. However, when Phil Spencer mentions no barriers preventing Microsoft from porting Halo and Gears of War to PS5, and Forza Horizon 5, a historically Xbox-exclusive series, is releasing on Sony’s console this week, it gets confusing as to whether there are still any boundaries or not.

Don’t Get Me Wrong, I’m Glad Oblivion Is On PS5

I’m thrilled that Oblivion has been released for PS5! Once I complete the other fantastic RPGs (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Monster Hunter Wilds, Citizen Sleeper 2) that I’ve temporarily set aside while playing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, I plan to explore Oblivion. My towering stack of games, reminiscent of a Jenga tower, demonstrates the abundance of excellent titles being released these days. This wealth of options can sometimes cause players to question if they should play a new game, potentially leading them to miss out on it altogether.

I eagerly anticipated the release of Indiana Jones on PS5, and made sure to stay updated about its arrival. Unlike many casual gamers, I closely follow gaming news because I work in the industry and absorb information passively, even if a game isn’t directly appealing to me. However, most players usually discover new games when they appear on their console home screen, through recommendations from friends, or by watching trailers. They don’t actively seek out updates, so lesser-known games might slip past them if not specifically marketed towards them.

In simpler terms, the original statement suggests that releasing “Xbox shadow dropping Oblivion” (releasing a game without prior announcement) can be enjoyable, but it is problematic given Xbox’s current approach to game releases, which appears inconsistent and unpredictable. The company often releases games on multiple platforms, some exclusively on Xbox, with no clear pattern or logic as to which games are released where. This lack of structure makes it difficult for consumers to anticipate what Xbox will offer in the future, causing uncertainty about the platform’s direction.

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2025-04-25 19:08

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