### Skyblivion: A Delayed But Promising Remake of Oblivion in Skyrim’s Engine

The ambitious project known as **Skyblivion**—a fan-made mod that seeks to remake *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* using the more advanced engine of *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim*—has recently announced a change in its release timeline. Originally aiming for a 2025 launch, the development team has confirmed that the mod will instead be released sometime in 2026 to ensure that they can address the final challenges and enhance the overall quality of the game.

This update follows criticisms from former project member Dee Keyes, who publicly described the initial 2025 goal as “pointless and unachievable.” Keyes accused project lead Kyle ‘Rebelzize’ Rebel and implementation lead Heavy Burns of mismanaging the project and rushing certain elements. Keyes later clarified his concerns in a video interview, while Heavy Burns defended the team by stating that many of Keyes’ claims were either misrepresented or false.

In a recent video, Rebel explained that although the game is in an exceptionally refined state, the team still faces some obstacles that necessitate additional time. He emphasized the importance of sharing their current progress alongside the announcement of the delay, indicating a dedication to transparency with the community.

As for the current status of Skyblivion, the development team has made substantial progress. They announced that the creation of the world map is now completely finished and shared an interactive satellite map of Cyrodiil on their website. Additionally, they have successfully completed the majority of dungeons and building interiors, with the Imperial City being the remaining significant area needing work. The team aims to finalize all remaining quests and navigation meshes (navmeshing), which enables non-player characters (NPCs) to navigate the environment effectively, by early 2026.

To further enhance the experience, the developers have planned early playtesting of game mechanics soon. Project lead Rebel articulated a commitment to using the additional time productively, noting a desire to polish, balance, and fix issues to deliver a quality experience for players. He indicated that there is no hard deadline for completion and that efforts will continue until the mod’s official release.

Upon its launch, the team plans to introduce features that were not included in the initial version of the mod, such as spellcrafting, dynamic dungeons, and grave robbing. While underwater combat has been temporarily shelved, there’s hope that it might still be incorporated in the future.

The extra time allocated for development appears to be a prudent decision, especially in light of recent criticisms. The Skyblivion team is committed to reimagining Oblivion with enhanced features and improvements that exceed the original game, offering fans an evolved experience reminiscent of the beloved classic.

For more information and updates, you can visit the [official Skyblivion website](https://skyblivion.com/map/) or check out the accompanying video announcement on YouTube.