Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is branded 'woke' by angry gamers who claim the game 'forces you to play as a transgender character'
After years of rumours, one of the most hotly-anticipated video games of the decade has been released this week.
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is an action role-playing game from US firm Bethesda that tasks gamers with stopping a demonic invasion on a faraway planet.
Released on Tuesday, the £50 game is amassing more than 120,000 concurrent players on PC gaming platform Steam alone.
However, many have been left enraged by a controversial change by the game's developers – prompting accusations of wokeness.
When picking their character, gamers are asked to select numbered 'body types' instead of male or female.
One critic said it 'forces you to play as a transgender character' because it removes concepts of male and female.
X user @Grummz posted a screenshot from the game with the caption: 'Why did they do this?
'There was zero need to change this in Oblivion Remastered. Bring back the original Male/Female.'
Another X user said: 'Oblivion Remake is another inflection point that will show who is actually opposed to wokeness and who is fine with it.
'The game forces you to play as a transgender character given it has removed male and female from the game. This should be rejected as the evil that it is.'
Yet another said: 'Looks like Oblivion Remastered is woke. We are male and female. Not body type A and B.
'This effort by Western developers to deny us OUR existence is entirely offensive.'
They continued: 'I will not buy this unless this is patched out. @bethesda No more of this c***.'
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered – available to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox and Windows – is a remake of the original Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion from 2006.
Players must 'master swordcraft and wield powerful magic' as they fight to save a fictional continent called Tamriel from demons known as Daedra.
The original game from nearly 20 years ago let players select either 'male' or female' as their character's gender.
What is Elder Scrolls?
Elder Scrolls is a series of action role-playing video games primarily developed by Bethesda Game Studios.
This new game - 'The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered' - is a remaster of a popular 2006 game.
Players are tasked to 'master swordcraft and wield powerful magic' as they fight to save a fictional continent called Tamriel from demons known as Daedra.
Plans to released the game were leaked in 2023 before a release on Tuesday (April 22).
However, instead of genders, this new version offers two 'body types' – type 1 (which has typically female characteristics) and type 2 (which has male characteristics).
On a community page for gaming platform Steam, one buyer said they had been 'refunded' after noticing the 'woke' change'.
They posted: 'Remove the woke and well talk. Sick of a minority being forced on the majority. Fix it and I will pay for it.'
Another said: 'The woke has been in this series since the series was born. Some characters are both male and female at the same time, the Gods are gender fluid and Argonians can get a sex change at will.'
However, some people argued in favour of the change, with one saying: 'If you're that insecure over "Body Type 1" and "Body Type 2", how do you even function when faced with actual problems?'
In a blog post, YouTuber John F. Trent said Bethesda is pushing 'vile gender ideology' and continues to 'embrace the woke agenda' in the new game.
'Unfortunately, this change is not surprising,' said Trent, a staunch Catholic who is host of the YouTube channel The Trent Report.
'Bethesda and its partners have been pushing woke ideology and specifically gender ideology for quite some time with its games.'
This X user said: 'Looks like Oblivion Remastered is woke. We are male and female... No more of this c***'
As an example, Trent mentions another game in the Elder Scrolls series that introduced a 'gender-confused' character called Tanlorin, who is voiced by drag king Vico Ortiz.
Bethesda Softworks is owned by Microsoft, which released its Gaming For Everyone Product Inclusion Framework to the public last year.
This document, Trent points out, contains an entire guide on representation which includes various 'woke talking points'.
These include ensuring 'characters are represented respectfully and authentically' and validating different groups of people or cultures.
Trent adds: 'It even suggests developers track data view an inclusive content ratio, which measures the 'proportion of content featuring or catering to underrepresented groups."'
Nintendo finally reveals the launch date for the Switch 2 console - and fans don't have long to wait
It's one of the most highly anticipated devices in the gaming industry.
And now the launch date for the Switch 2 has finally been confirmed by Nintendo.
Eager fans will be happy to hear that there's not long to wait - with the device set to be released on June 5.
'All Together, Anytime, Anywhere. #NintendoSwitch2 launches June 5th!' Nintendo tweeted.
The new console will cost $449.99 - significantly more expensive than the original Nintendo Switch, which cost $299.99 when it launched back in 2017.
However, this doesn't appear to have put some fans off, with many flocking to X to discuss their excitement.
'So looks like I'll be getting a Switch 2 on June 5th. Nintendo really knocked it out of the park. It looks great,' one tweeted.
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Metro
6 hours ago
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Games Inbox: Will Nintendo games ever come to PC?
The Monday letters page worries that it's being priced out of buying a Nintendo Switch 2, as one reader is disappointed by Elden Ring Nightreign. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@ Outside influence While I'm sure the Xbox website listing Xenoblade Chronicles X was some kind of mistake, I'm not sure the idea that Microsoft has talked Nintendo into supporting the PC can be completely ruled out. Microsoft has been trying to get influence over Nintendo for decades, including two separate attempts to buy them, so I can absolutely imagine them nagging and coaxing them into supporting PC. I'm not saying they've convinced Nintendo but think of what they could offer them. Maybe free use of their servers for streaming or sharing the cost of making new games, now they're more expensive on Switch 2. Doesn't sound likely but I think you could say that for a lot of things that have happened recently, which is basically what the Reader's Feature about PlayStation 5 was getting at this weekend. So I wouldn't rule out Nintendo games coming top PC at some point. I agree that Sony seem to be out of the conversation at the moment and are not influencing gaming the way they used to, whether the PlayStation 5 is selling or not. Even if Microsoft can never compete with them on even ground, I still feel they'd like to see Sony taken out of the picture and this way they can use someone else to do it. Manson The plan worked I had no intention of getting Elden Ring Nightreign because of it being multiplayer-focused but it's still disappointing to find out that it was a cheap cash-in and that it's popular anyway. FromSoftware are one of the developers I respect the most right now, but this is really disappointing to me. My theory is that they 'owed' Bandai Namco another Elden Ring game and so they knocked this out quick, with less care than usual as to whether it was any good or not. And people still bought it. I shouldn't be bothered, if it doesn't affect me, but it doesn't sit right with me. Especially as we still haven't got a single-player game to look forward from them. Stolz Lasting reputation I finally finished Astro Bot (it has the best Christmas level as free DLC) and the Horizon Zero Dawn planet made me pick up that game on the cheap. It's really good and I'm surprised how much I'm enjoying it, as I heard bad things about it I don't play games for storylines and I only really need a reason to go from A to B, but I'm still enjoying it so far with the lost industrialised world, etc. I'm only about four hours in but I can see this being one of my 50+ hour games. I also read that Aloy is annoying, but I don't know where that comes from unless something happens later on. Simon GC: Horizon Zero Dawn has always been thought of favourably, although Aloy and the other characters have a reputation for being a bit boring – rather than annoying. Email your comments to: gamecentral@ Old-fashioned pleasures Just seen that two shops are opening at midnight for the Switch 2 launch. For those who are going and have never had the chance to do a midnight launch you're going to love it and I do mean it. The waiting outside, saying, 'Come on, hurry up!' every three seconds, then getting to the door of the shop and trying to see how many more is in front of you. And then being next to be served and then walking to the counter, waiting for them to scan the Switch2 box. Hearing them famous words, you have never heard: 'cash or card? Them putting it in a bag and saying thanks, while handing you the bag. Getting out the shop as quickly as possible, before trying to get home as fast as possible to start the process of setting it up and download the updates. I promise you're going to love it, it's how gaming was and how it still should be. You're all going to love it. David Physical source Just in case anyone still wants a physical game, Vinted is a pretty good source. I've filled my shelves with Xbox One and Xbox Series X games for some very reasonable prices. Just recently I got Doom and Prey for £3 plus P&P. Dead Island 2 for £8. Haven't had any bad experiences yet. I'm using it to get all of the Call of Duty games for as little as possible, got the World War game for two quid, I think. I like playing through the story campaigns. Does Vanguard have a story to play through? Bobwallett GC: Yes. Black Ops 4 is the only mainline entry without a campaign mode. 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Charge an upgrade fee of around £10 for others and more if there's some extra content/new DLC with the new native version like Kirby or GoT on PlayStation 5. In short, back compatible on Switch 2 works like other consoles. The only games that are flat out not playable are two of the Labo games, where the Switch 2 doesn't fit the accessories. Then there's a few games like Ring Fit that need Switch Joy-Cons, but they are back compatible with Switch 2, as is the Pro Controller. Also, the console is £395 and its price was meet with mild pleasant surprise. Not so much Mario Kart World. Simundo The bitter end It's crazy to me how long games to make nowadays. Cyberpunk 2 might not even be out this decade and that's the norm now. I can't think of anything else creative that takes this long to make. A movie is two or three years at the maximum and usually less. I guess there would be some serious books that take a long time to write but a lot of that would not be entirely full-time, I would've thought. And even then it still might not be as long. How many people making these games actually stay for the whole thing? Or do they feel they should always see it through to the bitter end? Rosco Priced out I won't be getting a Nintendo Switch 2 next week, not because I'm not a fan but because I just don't feel I can afford one. I'm a traditionalist and prefer physical copies of games, at least when it comes to big releases anyway, as I feel they deserve a place with my other games on the shelf. I would definitely want Mario Kart World and that, along with a Switch 2, wouldn't leave me with much change from £500, certainly not enough to purchase another game anyway. I bought the Xbox Series S because I thought it was reasonably priced at £250, and I certainly wouldn't have given the Xbox Series X a second glance at £450 if that would have been the only option. For the time being I will stick with my original Switch, while I'm picking up cheap games for less than a couple of quid. Although I do expect Nintendo to start squeezing customers like me out of that oasis sooner rather than later. They are just a business after all. I wish them luck because I've never hated Nintendo even when they were at some of their lowest ebbs. I went out and bought their products because I enjoyed them. Unfortunately for now at least, my mind says yes, but my bank balance says no. I hope it does do well but then again if it doesn't, maybe I could afford one. freeway 77 Inbox also-ransIs GC planning on reviewing Nice Day For Fishing from Viva La Dirt League/Team 17? Thanks, I read you every day. Tomithy GC: We've never heard of it till now, so we're not sure. It's going to be a busy week. Oh look, another day another U-turn from Microsoft. So they suddenly found out that Steam Deck and co. don't really sell that much and so their new idea is to *checks notes* focus on Windows. Really, what was the point of Xbox? Dandy More Trending Email your comments to: gamecentral@ The small print New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers' letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content. You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader's Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot. You can also leave your comments below and don't forget to follow us on Twitter. MORE: Games Inbox: Are you getting a Nintendo Switch 2 next week? MORE: Games Inbox: When will the new Tomb Raider be revealed? MORE: Games Inbox: What review score will Mario Kart Worlds get?
Metro
a day ago
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The original Switch is still a better option than the Switch 2
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I don't think Nintendo has done themselves any favours though and the landscape has changed, with regards to mobile gaming in general, with the advent of the Steam Deck and other options from different manufacturers which makes this a crowded market. [The Steam Deck has only sold around 4 million units worldwide, compared to over 150 million for the Switch, and yet it's still the most successful of the PC handhelds – GC] I find myself purchasing games on Steam vs. Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. In fact, I ended up parting ways with my Xbox Series X and am considering the same with my PlayStation 5, as I mainly play games in portable form, with the Steam Deck and Switch being enough for me. With Nintendo it is mainly the first party titles that I would purchase on Switch 2, but it will make me think twice due to the price tag on the games (£60+) and with Nintendo the pricing of their games don't really go on sale that much, if at all. I know a lot of people are still considering getting rid of their original Switch in favour of the Switch 2, however I think it is still relevant in 2025 and beyond. With over 10,000 games, the Switch has a diverse library of titles. I love the fact the I have a big and robust library of physical games that I can play for years to come. The pricing on new games are anywhere between £25 to £50, with Zelda being the exception at £60 to £70. A lot of third party games you can pick up on sale. A lot of games are physical and most come with the game on the actual cartridge, so even in the future, if Nintendo decide to pull the eShop for the original Switch, you can still play games offline. Games are still being released for the original Nintendo Switch for the foreseeable future. It will stop being supported one day but there is still plenty to choose from, both used, digital, and new. I truly believe that the Switch 2 won't be as popular as the first Switch, mainly due to pricing £60+ on games and switching their strategy on physical games, with partial downloads or game key cards, which in theory is easily shareable but having to download the entire game isn't the most user friendly and there is still a reliance on the digital ecosystem. Watching a YouTube video by ModernVintageGamer, I've come to learn that backwards compatibility with Switch 2 isn't all it is cracked up to be. Nintendo is fully supporting backwards compatibility with most of their games, however third parties are left to patch games on their own discretion due to different system architecture in comparison to the original Switch. So it will be a bit hit and miss, more than likely they would rather release another 'remastered' version which they can sell to consumers again, rather than patch games. Also, bearing in mind some publishers don't want the costs associated with patching a game. At this stage in the original Switch's lifecycle there are a bunch of form factors to choose from. I have all three and use them in different environments; my Switch OLED gets used at home in portable mode and connected to the TV, while the original Switch is good for family party gaming, which I take around for family gatherings. The Switch Lite is small and portable and that it is great for single-player games with the cross-key but also great for travelling and going on holidays. You can pick up the Switch Lite for dirt cheap now, used, and I expect prices to fall further whilst they clear stock. I haven't seen too much details around this but Nintendo did announce original Switch compatibility with the Nintendo Switch 2 to allow for simultaneous multiplayer gaming with one cartridge, so that Nintendo Switch 2 acts as the main (host) console whilst the original Switch can be used for multiplayer gaming. So in essence you can all play Mario Kart from one Switch 2 console, by having your own screen, similar to the Wii U. I think this will be valuable for me with family gatherings, as most of us have Switches. So, I did mention costs for games earlier. However, as the original Switch has matured there are a plethora of cheap accessories that can be had on the cheap, compared to Switch 2, such as extra Joy-Cons, controllers, games, cheap microSD cards, plus others. I still love my Switch, and it won't be going anywhere, and I think it is Nintendo's best console in the past 20 years. I have a special place in my heart for the NES, SNES, Game Boy and GameCube, as being S-tier consoles but I think the Switch could be argued as being their best console. Ask me on a random day and my answer will probably change, because Nintendo have created timeless consoles as far as I am concerned, so it is difficult to choose one. But the original Switch makes a compelling choice especially for the younger generation. More Trending By reader wetbandit The reader's features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@ or use our Submit Stuff page and you won't need to send an email. MORE: MCM Comic Con is still worth it for gamers even without EGX – Reader's Feature MORE: Why I'm taking a week off work for the Nintendo Switch 2 launch - Reader's Feature MORE: This week was low-key the worst in modern video game history – Reader's Feature
Metro
2 days ago
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Nintendo is bringing one of its exclusive games to PC claims Microsoft website
A listing for a Nintendo first party game has appeared on Microsoft's Edge Game Assist webpage and it's either a mistake or the biggest news in gaming for a decade. Although Sony has finally embraced the PC market it seems impossible to imagine that any Nintendo-made game would ever appear on a modern PC, especially given some of the failed experiments in the 90s, with titles like Mario's Game Gallery. The question must certainly have come up, amongst Nintendo's execs, and you can guarantee that Microsoft has encouraged them to release games on the format, but there's never been any outward sign that they've considered it… until now. To be clear, this is almost certainly a mistake of some kind, but nevertheless, the recently re-released Xenoblade Chronicles X is currently listed as one of various ordinary PC games that are 'enhanced for Microsoft Edge Game Assist.' We'll be honest, we've never heard of Edge Game Assist until now, and we imagine most other people haven't either, but according to Microsoft, 'for a selection of popular PC games' it highlights 'helpful resources whenever you open a new tab. Many popular PC games are already enhanced for Game Assist, with more on the way.' While there is an infinitesimally small chance that Microsoft has convinced Nintendo to release games on PC, and that fact has been accidentally revealed early – ahead of the Xbox Games Showcase next Sunday – the much more likely explanation is that this is some kind of error. Perhaps it's a disgruntled employee or intern but it's a very odd mistake to make for a human and yet seems like exactly the sort of error an AI would make. Microsoft is obsessed with AI at the moment, in terms of both using it and selling it to others, and don't seem to care whether it does what it's supposed to or not – reportedly Xbox use it for language translations in Europe, even for things as important as the Xbox dashboard, and there are often very obvious mistakes. Given how unpopular Xbox is on the Continent you might have thought they'd learn from that, but it seems not. As it is, at time of writing, Xenoblade Chronicles X is still listed amongst the supported games. You can't see what kind of assistance is being offered though, as you have to start the game first… which doesn't exist on PC. More Trending Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition was released on Nintendo Switch this March, as the last major Wii U game to be ported to the format. That means that all the Xenoblade Chronicles games are now available on Switch, following Nintendo's move to buy 100% of developer Monolith Soft – who they also use as a support studio for major games such as Zelda: Breath Of the Wild. A new Xenoblade game is expected early on in the Switch 2's lifespan, and Monolith Soft is already working on a new role-playing game of some sort. So, the chances of Microsoft teaming up with Nintendo to release Xenoblade, or any other exclusive, on PC seem miniscule. And mistakes like this are only likely to put Nintendo off the idea even more. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Why I'm taking a week off work for the Nintendo Switch 2 launch – Reader's Feature MORE: Ubisoft teases Splinter Cell reveal but don't get your hopes up MORE: to a T review – surrealism and empathy from the maker of Katamari Damacy
