The Significance of Character Creation in Oblivion
The province of Cyrodiil, with its rolling hills, ancient ruins, and intricate political landscape, has captivated gamers for years. The *Elder Scrolls Oblivion* offered a vast and immersive world begging to be explored. At the heart of that experience lies the character creation system, the gateway through which players forge their own identity and embark on their grand adventure. As rumors of a potential *Oblivion* remaster swirl, it’s impossible not to dream about the possibilities of a revitalized and improved character creation process. A remastered *Oblivion* presents an unparalleled opportunity to not only address the shortcomings of the original but also to elevate its strengths, ultimately crafting a more compelling and deeply personal gaming experience.
This article will explore the significance of character creation in *Oblivion*, delving into the areas where the original fell short and examining the exciting opportunities a remaster presents for improvement. We’ll also touch on the hopes and dreams of the *Oblivion* community for a character creation system that truly allows players to bring their unique visions to life within the world of Cyrodiil.
Character creation is much more than just picking a face and a name; it’s the foundation upon which an entire playthrough is built. In *Oblivion*, the choices made during character creation directly influence gameplay, role-playing opportunities, and overall immersion.
The character’s race, class, skills, and even birthsign all play a crucial role in how they interact with the world. A stealthy Khajiit assassin will experience the game very differently from a heavily armored Nord warrior. The initial choices determine your character’s strengths, weaknesses, and the paths that are most readily available to them. It allows players to feel connected to the game.
Moreover, character creation is an essential component of role-playing. It allows players to define their character’s backstory, motivations, and personality. In theory, the original system gave people the chance to be unique. A well-crafted character can add depth and meaning to every quest, every conversation, and every encounter. When a player feels a strong connection to their character, they are more likely to become fully immersed in the game world and invested in the story.
The original *Oblivion* offered a solid foundation for character creation, but it was not without its flaws. A remaster has the potential to build upon this foundation, addressing the criticisms and enhancing the overall experience.
Addressing Character Creation Issues in the Original Oblivion
While the original *Oblivion* offered a decent character creation experience for its time, several issues have become apparent over the years, particularly in comparison to more modern games. These issues often hindered player immersion and limited the full potential of role-playing.
The first is visual customization. Perhaps the most infamous aspect of *Oblivion*’s character creation was the limited and often unflattering facial customization options. The so-called “potato faces” became a running joke within the gaming community, as it was often difficult to create characters that looked truly appealing or unique. The sliders were often unwieldy, and the limited range of options resulted in characters that often looked generic or even grotesque.
A remaster could leverage modern graphics technology to offer far more realistic and appealing character models. Enhanced facial animation, improved skin textures, and a wider range of customization options would allow players to create characters that are both visually striking and representative of their individual vision.
The second is the skill system. The original skill system in *Oblivion* was somewhat convoluted and prone to exploitation. Leveling up skills independently could lead to situations where characters became unintentionally overpowered or underpowered in certain areas. Min-maxing, the practice of optimizing character stats and skills to an extreme degree, became prevalent, often at the expense of role-playing and immersion.
The third is the character builds. *Oblivion* did not do a great job of easing new players into creating a build and explaining the consequences of creating a character. A character creation suite needs to be intuitive and help guide the user into making a character that they will enjoy.
Opportunities for Improvement in a Remastered Character Creation System
A remastered *Oblivion* provides a golden opportunity to address these shortcomings and implement significant improvements to the character creation system. By drawing inspiration from modern games and incorporating community feedback, the developers could create a system that is both more user-friendly and more empowering.
First, the visual customization must be overhauled. Modern games have demonstrated the power of detailed and nuanced character customization. A remastered *Oblivion* could feature a drastically expanded range of sliders, allowing players to fine-tune every aspect of their character’s facial features. Options for adjusting bone structure, eye shape, nose size, and mouth curvature would provide unprecedented control over character appearance.
Moreover, the remaster could introduce more diverse options for body types and customization. The original *Oblivion* offered limited choices in this regard, resulting in characters that often looked homogenous. The addition of body sliders for height, weight, and muscle definition would allow players to create characters that are more representative of their chosen race and class.
The second is the skill system. The developers could consider rebalancing the skills and leveling system to be more intuitive and less exploitable. Incorporating elements from later *Elder Scrolls* titles, such as *Skyrim*’s perk trees, could provide more meaningful choices and allow players to further specialize their characters. A system that rewards experimentation and exploration without penalizing players for making unconventional choices would be a welcome improvement.
Third, expanded lore integration would be fantastic. Imagine if the character creation process was interwoven with the rich lore of *Oblivion*. Incorporating more background information about each race, class, and birthsign would allow players to make more informed choices and better understand the impact of their decisions on the game world. Moreover, allowing player choices during character creation to affect starting relationships and questlines could add a new layer of depth and personalization to the game.
For example, choosing a Dunmer character with a strong affinity for magic could result in starting the game with a positive reputation among the mages guild, while a Nord character with a criminal background might begin with a bounty on their head. These subtle but impactful changes would make each playthrough feel truly unique and tailored to the player’s individual character.
Finally, more diverse starting gear is needed. The gear can be tailored to the choices the user makes during character creation to give a deeper sense of immersion.
Dreams for Remastered Character Creation
Beyond the practical improvements and technical enhancements, there are countless possibilities for adding unique and exciting features to the character creation process. What if the remaster allowed players to create custom backstories for their characters, complete with branching narratives and impactful choices? Imagine crafting a detailed history of your character’s family, their motivations, and the events that led them to Cyrodiil. This would not only add depth to the role-playing experience but also provide a framework for the player’s actions throughout the game.
It is fun to look back on some of the craziest builds and characters that people have made in the original *Oblivion*. A build can be considered to be anything, whether it’s a literal interpretation of some internet meme, or the most efficient and most powerful build ever.
The *Elder Scrolls* community is nothing if not creative and inventive, and they have often proven that they can be better than the actual developers. There will be no shortage of amazing or ridiculous builds that people will be trying to create.
Conclusion
Character creation is the cornerstone of the *Elder Scrolls Oblivion* experience, shaping not only the player’s visual representation but also their interactions with the world, their role-playing opportunities, and their overall sense of immersion. A remastered version of *Oblivion* presents a unique opportunity to address the shortcomings of the original character creation system while simultaneously enhancing its strengths.
By overhauling visual customization, rebalancing the skill system, and expanding lore integration, the developers could create a character creation system that is both more user-friendly and more empowering. The potential benefits are immense: more realistic and appealing character models, more meaningful character choices, a deeper connection to the game world, and a more personalized and immersive role-playing experience.
As we eagerly await news of a potential *Oblivion* remaster, it’s exciting to imagine the possibilities of a refined character creation system that allows players to truly bring their unique visions to life within the world of Cyrodiil. With the right improvements and enhancements, the remaster could not only revive a beloved classic but also elevate it to new heights, ensuring that *Oblivion* remains a captivating and unforgettable experience for generations to come. The potential for a richer, more immersive, and more personal adventure awaits, all starting with the creation of a character that is truly your own.
