The Skyblivion team has shown the opening tutorial dungeon from their remake of Oblivion during this year’s Creation Mod Con, and the first 15 minutes are now available in a playthrough video. The footage highlights redesigned encounters, a new lockpicking system, and several familiar moments rebuilt inside the Skyrim engine.
Creation Mod Con provided an opportunity for the project to demonstrate a remake approach rather than a straight remaster: dungeons are being redesigned with encounter flow and exit shortcuts similar to those found in Skyrim. The tutorial remains fairly faithful in tone, complete with the same friendly final sewer rat. Still, it presents updated animations and menu work that read as Skyrim-adjacent, sometimes in subtle ways.
“For many fans, stepping out of the tutorial dungeon and into the open world is the defining Elder Scrolls moment,” says Skyblivion project lead Kyle (AKA Rebelzize). “To see that recreated in Skyblivion, with all the artistry and passion our team as poured in, from the emperor’s face, new custom menus, the dungeon design itself and the quest systems needed to get it to function, is a surreal reminder of how far the project has came over the past 10 years. It represents a culmination of years of dedication marking the start of the players’ journey and offers a glimpse of the world we have all built together. There are many different departments and individuals who have contributed to bring this opening segment to life and it’s truly a celebration of all of their talents and contributions to the project.”
Mechanically, the demo shows a reworked lockpicking system that takes cues from both Oblivion’s original minigame and The Elder Scrolls Online, and there are small animation touche, the emperor hesitates mid-gesture in a way Skyrim players will recognise. Oh, one small moment stood out: the last sewer rat remains non-hostile and can be walked past, which felt pleasantly familiar.
Those who want a longer look can jump into the recorded stream segment where the tutorial ends; it continues with an Ayleid ruin entrance, open-world roaming, and early views of Cheydinhaal and Anvil at night.
Work continues under the direction of the Skyblivion team, and volunteers are welcome to help complete the project. The team has published a dedicated volunteer page with roles and contact details for contributors.
X and Bluesky are good places to share short impressions and screenshots after watching.
