Game creators, including original Oblivion developers, view 2006 documentary detailing the game's development, with Todd Howard expressing his unease: "This is going to feel incredibly uncomfortable, revisiting this."
In 2006, Bethesda Softworks produced a documentary chronicling the making of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, showcasing the colossal effort behind the studio's largest and most ambitious game at the time. Now, in celebration of Oblivion Remastered's recent success, Bethesda gathered some of the original team members and made them all relive the past.
Now, it's safe to say that Todd Howard wasn't exactly thrilled about this reunion, admitting, "This is going to be really fucking awkward, watching this." Yet, as the gathered crew watched, it turned out that the documentary wasn't cheesy or cringe-worthy at all but heartfelt and genuine.
Reflecting on the video, even Howard seemed moved by the sentiment. "I'm more moved than I thought. It's been a long road, everybody." Indeed, many of us may not be so lucky to look back on our past work with such pride, let alone have it documented for all time.
Looking back at the documentary, it's particularly poignant because Bethesda was still finding its footing at this point, still working hard to prove themselves. Watching them succeed, especially in hindsight, brings a sense of accomplishment that transcends time.
The documentary also underscores the scale of Bethesda's work. As Pete Hines, former head of publishing and public representation, puts it, "When you think of the size of the team, it felt like a really small, tight team... that was the whole company."
Fast forward to today, and the numbers tell a different story. In the original Oblivion, a whopping 285 people had credits, while Skyrim counts 810, and the upcoming Starfield boasts over 4,000, including numerous external studios. It's fascinating to see how the team's size and the scale of the projects have grown over the years.
If you're itching to watch the documentary yourself, don't fret! You can still find it on YouTube if you don't happen to have the original Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Collector's Edition hanging around.
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As for Howard's sentiments after the reunion, he admitted, "It was as awkward as I thought." But, he continued, "In so many ways, when I see it and look in the room, it feels the same." And that has to be a pretty great feeling, proving that even in the face of change, there's something to be said for coming full circle.
- The documentary chronicling the making of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, now available on YouTube, highlights the heartfelt and genuine struggle of Bethesda Softworks' largest and most ambitions game, offering a glimpse into the primitive stages of Bethesda's journey in the entertainment industry, especially in movies and TV.
- As Todd Howard, the studio's apparent visionary, reflected on the documentary, he admitted that although the reunion was as awkward as he anticipated, there was a strange sense of familiarity and accomplishment when looking back at the team's past efforts, presenting an overstatement of how far the company has come since its inception.
- Reflecting on the scale of Bethesda's work over the years, it's interesting to note that the original Oblivion game, produced in 2006, had 285 people involved, while Skyrim counted 810, and the upcoming Starfield boasts over 4,000. This growth in team size and project scale probably represents the studio's dedication to win bigger bets in the gaming industry, offering players increasingly immersive experiences.
- As gaming enthusiasts, it's probable that Oblivion Remastered's recent success and the accompanying documentary will serve as some of the highlights of Bethesda's entertainment portfolio, underscoring the studio's commitment to delivering high-quality games that capture the imaginations of players everywhere.
- If you're a fan of PS gaming or simply interested in the making of some of the most popular games in recent history, watching the documentary is an excellent way to appreciate the colossal effort behind some of Bethesda's most celebrated games, further demonstrating that even after all these years, Bethesda remains an industry leader in game development.
- Additionally, for those looking for more gaming insights, news, and reviews, be sure to keep up to date with PC Gamer, a trusted resource for all things gaming, offering valuable information on the latest trends and game releases.
