The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered made a stunning debut on Steam, hitting a peak concurrent player count of over 180,000 on its launch day.

Bethesda’s surprise release of Oblivion Remastered on April 22 propelled the game to the top of Steam’s global best-sellers list, ranked by revenue. It outpaced major titles like Valve’s Counter-Strike 2, the viral hit Schedule I, and Blizzard’s recently updated Overwatch 2.

Oblivion Remastered ranked as the fourth most-played game on Steam that day, trailing only Counter-Strike 2, PUBG, and Dota 2. It currently holds the title of Steam’s most-played single-player RPG, surpassing Baldur’s Gate 3, and boasts a ‘very positive’ user review rating.

Steam’s numbers only tell part of the story. As a Microsoft-owned title (Microsoft owns Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax Media), Oblivion Remastered launched directly on Xbox Game Pass for Ultimate subscribers, likely drawing a significant player base through the subscription service.

The game also launched on PlayStation 5 and standard Xbox Series X and S. While neither Microsoft nor Sony disclose player counts, the true peak concurrent players on launch day likely far exceed the reported 180,000.

The game’s early success is evident, though Bethesda has yet to release total player or sales figures. With its first weekend on sale approaching, player numbers are expected to climb further.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

Developed by remake expert Virtuos using Unreal Engine 5, Oblivion Remastered features a host of visual and gameplay enhancements. It runs at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, with significant upgrades to leveling systems, character creation, combat animations, and in-game menus. New dialogue, an improved third-person view, and advanced lip-sync technology further elevate the experience. Fans are praising the changes, with some arguing it feels more like a remake than a remaster, though Bethesda has clarified its remaster designation.

Originally released in 2006 as a sequel to the beloved Morrowind, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion launched on PC and Xbox 360, followed by PlayStation 3 in 2007. Set in the fictional province of Cyrodiil, it follows the player’s quest to thwart a fanatical cult aiming to open portals to the demonic realm of Oblivion.

Explore our detailed guide to Oblivion Remastered, featuring an interactive map, complete walkthroughs for the main questline and guild quests, tips for crafting the ideal character, early-game priorities, and much more.