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The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

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The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion cover
Developers
Bethesda Game Studios
Publishers
2K Games
Bethesda Softworks
Engines
Gamebryo
Release dates
Windows March 20, 2006
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion guide on StrategyWiki
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion on Wikipedia
The Elder Scrolls: Arena 1994
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall 1996
An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire 1997
The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard 1998
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind 2002
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion 2006
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 2011
The Elder Scrolls Online 2014
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition 2016
The Elder Scrolls: Legends 2017
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR 2018
The Elder Scrolls: Blades TBA
The Elder Scrolls VI TBA

General information

GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions
Oblivion Nexus - a large modding community
UESP wiki
Tweak Guide

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
SecuROM 7 DRM on the Shivering Isles expansion.
Windows
Bethesda.net
Bethesda.net Launcher
Game of the Year edition
Windows
GamersGate
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Gamesplanet logo.svg
Icon overlay.png
Windows
GOG.com
DRM-free
Game of the Year Deluxe edition.
Windows
Green Man Gaming
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Game of the Year and Game of the Year Deluxe editions. Both include Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine expansions. Game of the Year Deluxe includes all DLC.
Windows

Version differences

The Game of the Year Edition Deluxe includes all DLC but is only playable in English.
The Elder Scrolls Anthology includes both a retail version and a single Steam key that unlocks Morrowind, Oblivion and Skyrim along with all expansions and DLC.[1][2]
The GameStop PC Downloads/Impulse version is not compatible with some mods.[3] This version is no longer sold.

DLC and expansion packs

DLC is no longer sold separately; the Game of the Year Edition Deluxe and retail Anthology include all content.
Name Notes
Shivering Isles
Windows
Knights of the Nine Retail version includes all DLC except Shivering Isles
Windows
Fighter's Stronghold Sold digitally in Game of the Year Edition Deluxe
Windows
Horse Armor Pack Sold digitally in Game of the Year Edition Deluxe
Windows
Mehrunes' Razor Sold digitally in Game of the Year Edition Deluxe
Windows
Orrery Sold digitally in Game of the Year Edition Deluxe
Windows
Spell Tomes Sold digitally in Game of the Year Edition Deluxe
Windows
Thieves Den Sold digitally in Game of the Year Edition Deluxe
Windows
Vile Lair Sold digitally in Game of the Year Edition Deluxe
Windows
Wizard's Tower Sold digitally in Game of the Year Edition Deluxe
Windows

Essential improvements

Patches

The current official patch is patch 1.2.0416 (Digital versions are already patched). To check what version you have check the bottom left corner of the main menu.

Unofficial Patches

Correct thousands of errors in the game, as well as providing slight tweaks to improve the gameplay experience

Skip intro videos

Modify game configuration files[4]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open Oblivion.ini.
  3. Find the SMainMenuMovieIntro=Oblivion iv logo.bik line and remove everything after =.
  4. Find the SIntroSequence=bethesda softworks HD720p.bik,2k games.bik,game studios.bik,Oblivion Legal.bik line and remove everything after =.
  5. Save the file.
Modify video files[5]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\Data\Video.
  2. Delete or rename the following files:
2k games.bik
bethesda softworks HD720p.bik
game studios.bik
Oblivion iv logo.bik
Oblivion Legal.bik

Skip launcher

Use SLEA - Skip Launcher and ENBAuto

Large Address Aware

Improves stability on systems with at least 3GB RAM by allowing the application to use more than 2GB RAM. Particularly useful when using mods.
Not necessary for the GOG.com version.[6]

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Oblivion\
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/22330/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Oblivion\Saves\
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/22330/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
OneDrive
Requires enabling backup of the Documents folder in OneDrive on all computers.
Steam Cloud
Stores up to 953.67 MB of game saves online (maximum 1000 files).

Video settings

Video settings.
Video settings.

Template:Video settings

Field of view (FOV)

Use FOV Modifier[citation needed]
This is permanent and does not cause issues in the game.
This mod requires the Oblivion Script Extender (OBSE) to work.
  1. Install the FOV Modifier.
  2. As soon as you start up your game with FOV Modifier installed, either load up a savegame or start a new game, the FOV will automatically set to 90. You can change it by typing into the console Set CustomFOV to # and replace # with the desired FOV. FOVs only from 60 to 120 are accepted.
Change setting in Oblivion.ini[citation needed]
This setting may cause issues in the game, such as putting objects and NPCs out of sync and making menus inoperable.
  1. Open %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Oblivion\Oblivion.ini
  2. Change fDefaultFOV=75.0000 to the desired value. Suggested values can be found in the table below.
Use console commands[citation needed]
This setting isn't permanent, but doesn't cause the problems of the previous fix.
  1. Open the console (~).
  2. Enter the console command FOV XX (where XX is the desired value) and press Enter.

This table works with the assumption that the default 75° is optimal for screens with the 5:4 aspect ratio.

Aspect Ratio FOV Value
4:3 79.9000
16:9 105.3000
15:9 99.0000
16:10 95.2000

Input settings

Input settings.
Input settings.

Template:Input settings

Audio settings

Audio settings.
Audio settings.

Template:Audio settings

May require DirectSound3D restoration software to restore proper audio functionality on Windows Vista and later.

Localizations

The Game of the Year Edition Deluxe is only playable in English.
Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Italian
Polish
Polish retail only; not available digitally.
Russian
Russian retail, digital version available here.
Spanish

VR support

3D modes State GG3D Notes
Nvidia 3D Vision
Use Oblivion - 3D Vision Fix for better 3D support.
vorpX
G3D, DirectVR
Officially supported game, see official vorpx game list.

Issues fixed

TweakGuides has created a comprehensive guide for fixing issues in this game. It can be found here.

The game crashes upon exiting to desktop

Fast Exit[citation needed]

Use Fast Exit.

The settings reset every time the game is restarted

Fast Exit[citation needed]

Use Fast Exit.

Mod Installation

Incorrect Mod Installation[citation needed]
Mod Organizers such as Nexus Mod Manager, Mod Organizer, or Wyre Bash can be used to easily manage and troubleshoot mods
If you don't have a backup of a clean Oblivion installation, and your mod replaces files, you must reinstall the game to fix incorrect mod installation (Mod Organizer does not require this).

Load order error

Load order error[citation needed]

Use BOSS to fix this issue.

Mod Organizer has a built in load order sort feature

Missing BSA redirection

Missing BSA redirection[citation needed]
  1. Open the Oblivion Mod Manager.
  2. Click on Utilities.
  3. Click on Archive Invalidation.
  4. Now tick BSA Redirection and click on Update Now.
  5. When the process is done, close the Oblivion Mod Manager and launch Oblivion.

Missing meshes

Missing Meshes[citation needed]
This is a common problem with installing mods, and can be fixed by doing BSA redirection (method mentioned above). You can also check to make sure meshes and textures are installed (\textures & \meshes go into \Oblivion\Data) correctly. As a last resort, you can:
  1. Find out which mod is causing it (You can use the FormID Finder mod to find out). Depending on the location of the missing meshes, it can be difficult to guess which mod introduced it; you may have to disable mods one by one until you find the culprit.
  2. Download it again. Reinstall it using Oblivion Mod Manager or Wrye Bash to register the changed meshes / textures.
  3. If the above doesn't work, open the Construction Set with only that mod activated.
  4. Go to the location where you noticed the missing meshes.

Frozen Animations

After 200 hours of playtime with a character, game animations and effects may freeze.[citation needed]
Use Oblivion Animation Fixer[citation needed]

Use Oblivion Animation Fixer.

Use Wrye Bash[citation needed]

Use Wrye Bash to apply the Abomb Fix on the affected save.

Intermittent Black Screens During play

This is related to Nvidia Graphics cards 8800 or later.
Two alternate solutions[citation needed]
  1. Disable self shadows, use bloom instead of HDR and use Wrye Bash to build a Bashed Patch. In the Bashed Patch options, enable the Nvidia Fog Fix.
  2. Otherwise, disable shadows.

Volume keys on keyboard don't work in-game

Edit .ini[7]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open Oblivion.ini
  3. Change bBackground Keyboard=0 to 1
  4. Save the file

Other information

Mods

Oblivion mods can be found at Oblivion Nexus.

Recommended mods

The UESP has a page listing mod recommendations here.
  • DarNified UI Tweaks the enlarged Xbox-optimized UI to better fit PC. The HUD and fonts are smaller, and items are easier to find in the inventory.
  • EngineBugFixes Fixes multiple bugs, including CTD-inducing ones, in Oblivion game engine. Requires OBSE.

Utilities

Wrye Bash and Oblivion Mod Manager

These are two utilities used for managing mods. Wrye Bash supports mods packed as .7z, while the Oblivion Mod Manager offers a more easy-to-use format called .omod. Both utilities are used to install and uninstall mods, and ensure that mods are installed correctly.

Better Oblivion Sorting Software (BOSS)

BOSS is a plugin load order optimiser for TES IV: Oblivion. It also provides thousands of plugin-specific messages, including usage notes, Bash Tag suggestions, requirements, incompatibilities, bug warnings and installation mistake notifications. It supports the sorting of plugins ghosted by the Wrye Bash utility, is highly customisable, has been translated into multiple languages, and is simple to use.

Oblivion Script Extender (OBSE)

A utility that extends the script capabilities of vanilla Oblivion, allowing modders to better take advantage of the engine. Many mods require this utility, and installation instructions are included in a README, when you download it.

Nexus Mod Manager (NMM)

Can manage mod downloads from Oblivion Nexus and automatically install them.

TES4Edit

Can clean .ESP files from "dirty edits" which are essentially errors made by original mod authors that can cause incompatibilities and prevent other .ESP's features from working.

Fast Exit

Prevents the game from crashing upon exit and saves the .INI file before exiting the game so settings do not reset to their initial values upon restarting the game.

Console Commands

A complete list of console commands can be found here.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Cutscenes Bink Video 1.7.3

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 2000
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 4 2.0 GHz
AMD Athlon XP 2000+
System memory (RAM) 512 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 4.6 GB
Video card (GPU) ATI Radeon 9500
Nvidia GeForce FX 5700
128 MB of VRAM

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/22330/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (22330) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References