Like the annoying fan, Oblivion Remastered pushes into the spotlight-and leaves the indie playing hardly any room to develop.
The surprise release of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered has shaken the gaming world properly. For many of you it was a reason to be happy, because the legendary role -playing game returns in new splendor and brings nostalgia and a fresh air at the same time.
But while her full anticipation returns to Cyrodiil, on the other hand there is a fader aftertaste-especially for indie studios, the laboriously planned releases of which are suddenly in the shadow of the giant.
The release of Oblivion Remastered came as a classic Shadow drop: After months of rumors, the remaster was not only announced, but also published directly – without a lead, without warning.
For indie developers and publishers like Raw Fury, who published the PS2-inspired horror game post trauma on the same day, it was a shock. Years of work, passion and marketing amount to one day-and then suddenly a Bethesda title such as the Dovahkiin rushes through the release calendar and sweeps aside.
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Silent Hill but in Spanish – in the post trauma it goes down into creepy subway shafts
Jonas Antonsson, CEO von Raw Fury, gets to the point at X:
I loved Oblivion (when I was younger) and I still love it, and I personally are happy that it will be brought to new life and that a whole new generation of players is introduced.
But from the perspective of Indies and indie publishers, this is the problem with this kind of solid shadow drops. Everything is buried more or less. We have neither the money nor the muscles to throw it around us, so everything is planned carefully. Including the time of publication, based on other publications, etc. – to maximize the opportunities, to attract attention.
I love the published game, but I feel the pain for our team and especially for the developer with whom we have worked for years – who put his heart and soul into his game.
What does that mean specifically? Indie games such as post trauma, The Hundred Line-Last Defense Academy or the celebrated role-playing game Clair obscur: Expedition 33, which appeared in the same period, suddenly fight for visibility.
The attention of the press, the streamer, the social media user and ultimately also your interest focus on the big names-and smaller titles are under, regardless of their quality.
The problem is not just the immediate slump in sales. The launch often decides on the long-term success of an indie game. If a title is ignored to the release, the important word of mouth that is essential for Indies is missing.
Without attention, no hype, without hype, no sales – a vicious circle that, in the worst case, leads to the fact that developer studios can no longer develop or even close successors.
So: Enjoy your trip to Cyrodiil, but keep in mind that many exciting indie pearls are waiting for you away from the large AAA stage-maybe now where you fly a little under the radar. In the link box you will find some exciting titles that have been published this week. Take a look into it, maybe you will discover your next favorite game!
