If you’ve been eagerly anticipating the physical version of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, may we recommend you exercise some caution.

As spotted by notorious social media mogul Wario64, the box art for the PS5 version has been updated to include an ‘Internet Required’ disclaimer. Similarly, the Xbox version points out that the RPG will “require [a] content download”.

Now the game does come with some DLC items which need to be redeemed using a voucher, including a couple of pieces of armour, two weapons, and some mounts. It’s unclear, then, if the disclaimer is relating to these. (You’ll obviously need to go online to claim them, after all.)

But both Microsoft and Bethesda have an awful recent track record for physical releases, short-changing players with shoddy products that only include a fraction of the game’s data on the Blu-ray disc.

Many fans prefer to purchase physical in order to ensure their software will remain playable long after Sony’s servers have been shut down, so the premise of Game Key Discs (as we’re coining them) has not gone down well.

It would be particularly egregious in this instance as Oblivion Remastered has been available digitally for six or so months already. The physical version is due out on 13th October.

Of course, we may be getting ahead of ourselves here.

While the disclaimer is concerning – and we recommend you exercise caution before pre-ordering this version of the game – it’s still possible the game will be on the disc and the publisher is not doing anything nefarious here.

We’ll contact Bethesda and ask if this physical release will be fully playable offline. And we’ll update you as soon as we know more.