Oblivion Remastered's "physical" console releases will "require content download," and fans of the RPG aren't happy: "Why make something physical that still requires a download?"

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They've got a point, Bethesda

Oblivion Remastered Dark Brotherhood Lucien Lachance
(Image credit: Future / Bethesda Game Studios)

A solid four months have passed since Bethesda Game Studios finally released long-awaited RPG remaster The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, with recent Steam reviews falling to "Mixed" – and now, a physical edition that isn't so physical at all.

Earlier last month, eagle-eyed fans noted that listings for the so-called "physical" edition of Oblivion Remastered had altered their descriptions to clarify that the game is essentially just a "code in a box" rather than a disc – a debacle that most games' communities are finding themselves in as the years pass and truly physical media becomes more obscure. Discussions about the revamped RPG being not-so-physical have resurfaced now, though.

That's because Bethesda seemingly updated the game's box art for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S copies, as spotted by TweakTown, to include a caution informing that every copy "requires content download." This implies some sort of necessary online download, but whether or not that pertains to the bonus content – which requires a separate app altogether to access – or otherwise remains unclear for now and likely will until the physical release.

Even though the console copies aren't dropping until October 13, players are disappointed by the news – much like they were in September when Oblivion Remastered's physical edition was outed as potentially just being a boxed code – and are sharing as much online. A recent Reddit thread highlights these conversations, with one commenter simply asking, "Why make something physical that still requires a download?" Others largely agree.

Anna Koselke
Anna Koselke
Staff Writer

After spending years with her head in various fantastical realms' clouds, Anna studied English Literature and then Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, going on to specialize in narrative design and video game journalism as a writer. She has written for various publications since her postgraduate studies, including Dexerto, Fanbyte, GameSpot, IGN, PCGamesN, and more. When she's not frantically trying to form words into coherent sentences, she's probably daydreaming about becoming a fairy druid and befriending every animal or she's spending a thousand (more) hours traversing the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3. If you spot her away from her PC, you'll always find Anna with a fantasy book, a handheld video game console of some sort, and a Tamagotchi or two on hand.

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