Oblivion Remastered joins the pantheon of Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Witcher 4 for its attention to animal anatomy: 'The deer have buttholes'

From Cardboard Cutouts to… Functional Deer Buttholes?

There’s something strangely satisfying about the idea that game developers are out here laboring over deer hindquarters. (No, Steve from Accounting, that’s not sarcasm.) Sure, many gamers play these sprawling epics to slay dragons, topple oppressive empires, or simply hoard cheese wheels like psychopaths, but apparently, there’s also a demographic that just needs authentic wildlife interactions.

Games like Red Dead Redemption 2 set the bar high by building ecosystems that feel visceral and alive. Rockstar Studios had us gawking at animated mud physics and horses that, yes, “shriveled up” in cold weather. Apps like TikTok practically imploded with admiration over the lengths Rockstar went to. Bethesda has clearly taken note because seeing a deer gallop off with such intricate animation (yes, including a fully operational hind end) just pulled Oblivion Remastered into “Even the Wildlife Deserves an Award” territory. Move over, The Witcher 4, there’s a new sheriff here, and it’s not afraid to discuss the hindquarters of Cyrodiil fauna on a first date.

Why Do We Obsess Over Tiny Details, Anyway?

Before you scoff and roll your eyes harder than a Khajiit merchant being lowballed, think about what makes games like Red Dead Redemption 2 memorable. It’s not just the “cool cowboy missions” or The Witcher’s excessively broody Geralt. It’s the living, breathing world that sucks you in. This kind of environmental realism anchors players into the game.

Seeing a butterfly land perfectly on a flower, watching fog roll across a mountain range at dawn, or apparently, losing your mind over deer anatomy… these details are what make us feel like we’re part of something bigger. Is it necessary for an elk to scratch its behind on a Cyrodiilic oak tree for the immersion factor? Probably not. But do we appreciate the hell out of it? You’d better believe we do.

Skyblivion & The Rise of Player Expectations

This isn’t happening in a bubble, either (no offense to handheld bubbles in Skyblivion). Projects like Skyblivion, which aim to revive The Elder Scrolls IV for modern systems, showcase a clear demand for a mix of nostalgia with next-gen polish. Fans don’t just want the same old Oblivion; they want it injected with enough detail to make even Todd Howard weep.

And why shouldn’t they? Red Dead Redemption 2 normalized the expectation that NPCs need daily schedules, nature better be straight out of a National Geographic spread, and Geralt’s beard should grow slowly over time in The Witcher 3. This level of attention actively enhances gameplay, making it harder to go back to overworlds that feel, well, lifeless. Bethesda is leaning into this evolution, telling players, “You didn’t know you wanted this, but you absolutely do now.” And judging from the fan response? They nailed it.

Will Wildlife Nerds Be More Invested in Oblivion Now?

The impact on gameplay is tangible, even if you don’t care about the smallest details in your games. Why? Because knowing someone was nitpicky enough to craft realistic animal behavior spills into everything else in Oblivion Remastered. That same energy given to deer animations is now probably fueling more lifelike NPC encounters, atmospheric enhancements, and nuanced side quests. If devs are sweating minor things like antelope pants physics, what are they not sweating over?

You, stomping through the forests of Cyrodiil waving a broadsword like it’s nobody’s business, might not immediately notice that the wolf chasing you has dynamically animated fur that reacts to weather. But subconsciously? You’ll feel it. This attention to detail makes every experience more vibrant, pulling you deeper into the world even as you’re sneak-picking someone’s pocket for 13 gold and a questionable carrot.

The Elder Scrolls Gets Its Groove Back

Oblivion Remastered represents more than just a glow-up with 4K visuals and butt-physics deer. It’s part of a larger industry trend. There’s an artistry to these moments. Successful RPGs live on the edge of madness (where you assume developers are debating whether rats also need individualized noses). This sweet spot creates experiences that gamers remember long after the credits roll.

Sure, there’s a lot riding on this remaster, but if the early previews are any indication, Oblivion is no longer interested in merely riding the nostalgia train. Bethesda’s making a franchise feel future-ready. And if it takes deer with fully-functional undercarriages to pull that off? Then so be it.

Final Thoughts

Some people will laugh, and some people will roll their eyes at what might seem like unnecessary detail. But one thing’s for sure, Oblivion Remastered is making noise for good reason. If Red Dead Redemption 2’s immersive wildlife taught us anything, it’s that players crave worlds that feel alive—even when the realism gets weirdly specific.

Deer…buttholes aside, Bethesda is proving they’re playing a long game here. They’re taking what modern gamers expect to new heights and, dare we say, aiming for the pantheon where Red Dead and The Witcher reign supreme.

And honestly? We can’t wait to chase one of those perfectly animated deer right into an Oblivion Remastered sunset.

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