Title: Oblivion Remastered Easter Egg: Encounter Todd Howard in a Secret Test Room
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered has reignited the passion of numerous fans for Bethesda’s iconic RPG, not merely through aesthetic enhancements and gameplay refinements, but also by incorporating whimsical Easter eggs and nostalgic quirks. One of the most amusing features is a concealed character brought to life by none other than Bethesda’s own Todd Howard. With a straightforward trick, players can discover a hidden test room where Howard’s voice animates a test NPC—providing a rare and entertaining look into the game’s development.
The Todd Test: An Insight Behind the Scenes
Throughout the initial development of Oblivion, Todd Howard recorded multiple lines of dialogue for internal purposes. These recordings were never meant for public release, yet they remained hidden within the game’s files. In Oblivion Remastered, these lines are still retrievable—if one knows where to find them.
To uncover this hidden treasure, you’ll need to utilize the PC version of the game and open the developer console. Here’s the method:
How to Access the Concealed Todd Howard Character:
1. Save your game to guarantee you can continue your journey later.
2. Hit the ^ key (typically located under the Escape key) to bring up the console.
3. Input the following command: coc toddtest
4. Hit Enter.
You’ll be instantly transported to a small, unremarkable house—an internal testing area utilized by Bethesda developers. Within, you’ll encounter a character named Alban Corinis. While he appears to be an ordinary NPC, his voice reveals something special: he speaks with the unmistakable intonation of Todd Howard himself.
A Spectrum of Emotions—Todd Style
Upon initiating a conversation with Alban Corinis, various dialogue choices representing different emotions will be available: angry, happy, neutral, sad, and surprised. Choosing any of these prompts a distinctive voice line from Todd Howard, each demonstrating his interpretation of that specific emotion.
For instance:
– Opting for “angry” will activate the line: “What? That really pisses me off!”
– Choosing “happy” may prompt a cheerful and upbeat reply.
– “Neutral” acts as a standard response, but its tone shifts according to the character’s current emotional state.
Dynamic Mood System
What makes this Easter egg exceptionally captivating is the character’s mood that dynamically adapts based on your dialogue selections. If you frequently select “happy,” the character’s mood will enhance. Once it achieves a mood value of 90 or higher, opting for “neutral” will elicit an unexpectedly affectionate line:
“I can’t recall ever having such loving moments as I’m experiencing with you right now.”
Conversely, if you consistently choose “angry” and reduce the mood below 20, the same “neutral” option will yield a considerably harsher reply:
“You’re a real bastard.”
This clever yet simple mechanic provides players with an entertaining way to interact with the hidden character and explore the nuances of Todd Howard’s test voice acting—something never intended for public ears.
A Adorable Quirk in a Cult Classic
Even though Todd Howard may not be a professional voice actor, his genuine and occasionally awkward delivery has turned into a cherished element of this hidden feature. It offers a rare and amusing glimpse into the behind-the-scenes processes of game development, highlighting the human touch that contributes to creating expansive open-world experiences.
Oblivion Remastered not only enhances the graphics and gameplay mechanics—it also retains the charm and quirks that transformed the original game into a cult classic. From strange editing blunders in voice lines to test rooms like this, the remaster pays tribute to the eccentricities that fans have come to cherish.
So if you’re engaging on PC and wish to encounter a truly unique moment in gaming history, don’t let the opportunity slip to meet Todd Howard in Oblivion Remastered. Whether he ends up adoring you or abhorring you is entirely based on how you interact with him.
After all, in the realm of Tamriel—even the developers can become a part of the adventure.
Sources:
– Global Esport News: “Oblivion Remastered: You can find Bethesda boss Todd Howard, and he will either despise or love you for it”
– Bethesda Game Studios archives and community modding forums