Skyrim Remaster Is "as Next-Gen as Possible"

The remastered version of 2011's The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is aiming to be "as next-gen" as possible, according to Bethesda's Pete Hines.

While the developer isn't yet talking specifics about all the ways in which the new version is improved, Hines said players can expect a range of updates.

"We haven't gotten into the full, 'Here's all the things we're doing.' But the basic idea is, in all the ways possible we're trying to improve it and make it as next-gen and appropriate for these consoles as possible," he told IGN. "Performance, effects, or whatever we can do to make the game look and feel better, we're going to give it a go."

Bethesda announced the Skyrim remaster, officially titled the Special Edition, during its E3 2016 briefing. It sports a number of new visual effects, including god-rays, new snow shaders, and more. Here's a screenshot from the announcement trailer:

Check out the video above to see a graphics comparison that shows off how much better the Special Edition looks. What we've seen so far is unmistakably a better-looking version of an older game, but not something built from the ground up for new consoles, obviously.

Additionally, the Special Edition's console version will support PC mods. This is not uncharted territory for a Bethesda game, as Fallout 4 PC mods now work on Xbox One and are coming to PlayStation 4 later this month.

Skyrim's Special Edition launches on October 28 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. If you're playing on PC, you may be entitled to a free upgrade to the Special Edition at launch.