Todd Howard has 'softened' on remasters, but he's still 'anti-remake'
PC Gamer
by Joshua Wolens February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Todd Howard, the creative director at Bethesda, has softened his stance on remasters following the success of *Oblivion Remastered*. While he remains firmly opposed to full remakes of classic titles like Morrowind or Daggerfall, Howard now acknowledges the potential value of remasters. In a recent interview with Kinda Funny, he shared that the positive reception and financial success of *Oblivion Remastered* have made him more open to considering remasters for other Bethesda games, though no concrete plans are in place yet.
Howard’s shift from outright rejection to cautious consideration reflects the broader industry trend where remasters often serve as a way to modernize older games without losing their original essence. He emphasized that the team aimed to preserve the core identity of *Oblivion* while addressing technical issues and enhancing visuals, ensuring the game remains true to its roots. This approach aligns with his belief that the age and personality of a game are integral to its appeal, making him resistant to full-scale remakes that could dilute what made the original special.
Howard’s reluctance to embrace remakes stems from his view that modernizing older games risks losing their unique charm and historical context. He pointed to Bethesda’s handling of *Oblivion Remastered* as a model: the game includes the original files, allowing players to experience the classic version if desired. However, Howard also acknowledged that even with improvements, *Oblivion Remastered* still has bugs, underscoring the challenges of balancing preservation and modernization.
For gamers, this matters because remasters offer a way to revisit beloved titles in a more polished form without losing their authenticity. While fans may
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Originally published on PC Gamer on 2/20/2026