Skyblivion Delayed to 2026; Team Confirms It Will Be a Long-Term “Living Project” with Post-Launch Features Like Spellcrafting
The Skyblivion team has officially pushed the release of its highly anticipated total conversion mod to 2026. Originally targeting a 2025 launch window announced back in January 2023, the volunteer-driven project has remained transparent about its progress, but Project Lead Rebelzize confirmed in a new video update that the team simply needs more time to complete the extensive remaining work required for a polished release.
Skyblivion is an ambitious recreation of The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion built entirely within the engine of The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim. While the project is further along than ever, numerous tasks remain unfinished, making a 2025 launch unattainable.
Despite the delay, development momentum is strong. The full world map is now one hundred percent complete including regions, realms, and the iconic Oblivion Deadlands. Fans can explore it through an interactive satellite style map now available on the project’s site. All quest dungeons have been rebuilt with new layouts, bespoke bosses, and unique rewards with only a few remaining random dungeons still under construction. Most interiors such as shops, houses, chapels, castles, and inns are ready for content implementation.
The Imperial City remains the largest and most complex hurdle. Many of its interiors are blocked until the 3D asset set is finalized, and its scale has created downstream delays for quest scripting. The goal is to finish all quests by Q1 2026 allowing time for comprehensive playtesting and iteration. All other major cities including Anvil, Bravil, Bruma, Cheydinhal, Chorrol, Leyawiin, Skingrad, and the ruined Kvatch have already been implemented.
Core systems including alchemy, spells, crafting, perks, and navmesh are expected to reach feature complete status by the end of 2025. The User Interface also remains under construction with the team opting for a functional Skyrim inspired approach. A full UI pass should be complete by Q1 2026 with aesthetic refinements planned later.
The team is also working on an ambitious final cinematic featuring a large scale battle between Akatosh and Mehrunes Dagon. While animation work is handled by professional artists, the production pipeline is bottlenecked by limited rendering, VFX, destruction simulation, and set dressing support. The team is actively seeking volunteers with those skills through its official application form.
Not all planned features will make it into version 1.0. Underwater combat has been removed due to deep conflicts with Skyrim’s animation systems but may return later. According to Rebelzize, Skyblivion is designed as a long term “living project” that will continue expanding after launch. Planned post release content includes Oblivion’s original DLC packs Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine as well as new systems and features like spell crafting, dynamic dungeons, followers, grave robbing, additional creatures, unique armor sets, new weapons, and more.
Although the delay will disappoint players who hoped to revisit Cyrodiil during the holiday season it is understandable for a volunteer project of this scale. Those seeking a modernized Oblivion experience in the meantime can explore Bethesda’s official Oblivion Remastered which launched earlier this year.
Will you wait for Skyblivion’s 2026 release or dive into Oblivion Remastered in the meantime? Share your thoughts.
