The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. (Image courtesy of Bethesda Softworks)
SEOUL, April 25, (Korea Bizwire) — Microsoft is once again under fire from South Korean gamers over what many are calling continued neglect of the country’s gaming market, following the surprise global release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered — a launch that excluded South Korea entirely.
Released at midnight on April 23 (KST) by Bethesda Softworks, a Microsoft subsidiary, the remastered title is a modern overhaul of the critically acclaimed 2006 game Oblivion. Far from a mere graphical upgrade, the remaster features a full rebuild in Unreal Engine, new 3D assets, and re-recorded audio, making it closer to a full remake than a standard remaster.
The game’s sudden “available now” announcement during a livestream thrilled fans around the world — except in South Korea, where players were unable to purchase or even view the title on any platform.
According to SteamDB, Oblivion Remastered was not made available on Steam in South Korea or Russia — the only two markets excluded from the game’s release among 41 countries that support localized currency on the platform.
South Korean users also reported being blocked from accessing the game on the Xbox PC app or through international store pages, signaling a deliberate application of a “region lock.”
While Russia’s exclusion is widely attributed to ongoing sanctions related to the war in Ukraine, Microsoft has provided no explanation for blocking Korean access, further fueling user frustration.
The move has revived criticism that Microsoft deprioritizes South Korea — a country with one of the world’s most active gaming populations. Although speculation points to Korea’s game content rating system as a possible bottleneck, Microsoft has historically completed local rating procedures in advance for major releases, as do competitors like Nintendo and Sony.
The backlash follows a string of controversies involving Microsoft’s handling of Korean localization and market support. Earlier this year, the company was criticized for delaying Korean language support for its new RPG Avowed — not once, but twice. Initially promised at launch, Korean subtitles were pushed to March and then again to August, with developers citing delays in the translation process.
In another instance, Microsoft promoted Blizzard’s remastered Diablo I as part of its Game Pass subscription service — only to exclude the title from availability in Korea, leading to accusations of misleading advertising.
Microsoft’s actions come just two years after joining the Korea Association of Game Industry in 2023 during its acquisition of Blizzard. The company has since voluntarily withdrawn from the association.
For many South Korean players, the pattern is now unmistakable. “Microsoft continues to treat Korea as an afterthought,” wrote one gamer on a popular forum. As regional frustration mounts, Microsoft’s efforts to expand its footprint in the Asian gaming market may be undermined by what players increasingly see as neglect.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
