By choosing not to replace Oblivion Remastered’s soundtrack, Bethesda made the allegations against composer Jeremy Soule everyone else’s problem

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15 years have passed since I last played Oblivion on my Xbox 360, yet hearing the triumphant Reign of the Septims theme instantly transports me back to that screen. The softer, poignant Harvest Dawn tune reminds me of the peaceful moments spent exploring the Imperial City and picking locks or pockets. Despite these fond memories, today I cannot help but associate Oblivion’s music with the 2019 allegations of rape and sexual misconduct against composer Jeremy Soule, who created the music for games like Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim.

Prior to the release announcement of Oblivion Remastered, there were discussions about whether the developer might rework or even completely swap out Jeremy Soule’s music due to allegations against him, or perhaps because of a disagreement regarding his exclusion from a Skyrim concert in 2016. However, it has been confirmed that neither scenario took place: the original soundtrack remains intact, retaining its familiar melodies as we recall.

As a devoted admirer, I must say that back in 2019, there were accusations leveled against him, but he vehemently denied them. Since then, it appears as though he’s stepped away from the digital world, erasing his presence from official websites and social media platforms. Moreover, it seems like he hasn’t created a new soundtrack since 2019.

Interestingly, prior to 2019, composer Inon Zur had already taken over as the primary music creator for Bethesda’s RPGs. Over the past decade, he’s been instrumental in crafting the scores for The Elder Scrolls Online, Fallout 4, and Starfield.

Without Soule’s music, Oblivion might not have left such a lasting impression on us. While it could also be said that the game’s original lighting with its shimmery haze, or its endearing yet unrefined NPCs, contributed significantly to its memory, the beauty and charm of the game are inextricably linked to its creator. In essence, the game can embody both beauty and a taint from its association with its creator.

Adapting to a change might have been challenging, but it wouldn’t have been an unheard-of scenario. The re-recorded soundtrack for Halo 2 Anniversary swapped out tracks by Incubus and Breaking Benjamin with fresh compositions, but if you switched from the updated to the original graphics, those originals remained untouched. The remake of Until Dawn (released barely a decade after its initial release) featured an entirely new soundtrack. Over the past 20 years, the music for indie classic Cave Story has been remixed and recomposed not once, but twice, and fans are divided on their preferred version.

Personally, Oblivion Remastered has found its place among the troubling masterpieces I used to cherish, fueling the ongoing dilemma often referred to as separating the art from the artist – a debate that seems too mild a term. Instead, I think ‘dodge’ or ‘evade’ might better describe this conundrum. As I grow older and confront repeated letdowns from artists I once admired, appreciating their work has evolved into a more straightforward question: “Is my enjoyment of this piece strong enough to overlook my ethical perspective on the world?

Given the persistent appeal of Harry Potter, it seems that many individuals would respond affirmatively to this question more than one might prefer. However, when discussing games or movies, the question seldom pertains to a single individual. In fact, numerous people pour their passion and effort into these creations! Does their work justify our enjoyment, or does it merely facilitate an easier justification for moral compromise?

When many people contribute love and effort to something like a game or movie, does that mean it’s okay to enjoy it, or does it make it simpler to tell ourselves we’re making a less harmful choice?

Comedian Alasdair Beckett-King humorously suggested another perspective on this matter: “Many prefer to distinguish between art and the artist, but I’d be content with distinguishing the artist from their wealth.

Is Soule receiving royalties from his work on Oblivion or from the sales of Oblivion Remastered? Additionally, is he earning royalties from the sales of the soundtrack itself, which Bethesda has packaged with an art book for the $10 “deluxe edition” upgrade? Unfortunately, I don’t have the answer as Bethesda did not reply to my inquiry about this matter.

Over 100 individuals contributed to the initial release of Oblivion, and even more for its remastered version – the credits run for a full 24 minutes. It’s wonderful that we can enjoy the dedication these creators put into crafting an RPG filled with fantastic quests, as well as some amusingly absurd moments. However, the soundtrack Bethesda is now marketing as a separate $10 “app” only lists one name: Jeremy Soule. Making this choice is straightforward.

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2025-04-25 23:32