Oblivion Remastered is already one of the most successful remakes or remasters in the video game industry right now, even before we entered May. However, it appears Bethesda, its publishing studio, decided that shadow-drop marketing is not enough. Because back on May 2, Bethesda released one of its strangest and most nightmarish video game ads ever, featuring a Khajiit cosplay that many fans suspect is a skooma-fueled creative marketing surge.
In fact, Bethesda itself uploaded the Khajiit ASMR ad to multiple video-centric social media sites like YouTube and TikTok. Like Oblivion Remastered, they seem to have put out the ad out of the blue, take a look:
It’s basically a woman cosplaying as a Khajiit, a humanoid cat-like race in Elder Scrolls lore, except the effort put into making the costume realistic has lent much to the eerie vibes. And if you’re still stupefied by the surreality of the “advertisement,” yes, it’s really just a Khajiit cosplayer scratching rough textures and icky licking sounds. She doesn’t even promote Oblivion Remastered vocally.
It’s also possible that we might see more bizarre or even experimental marketing from Bethesda regarding Elder Scrolls games, seeing as they also just shadow-dropped Oblivion Remastered. Whatever the case, there might be some exciting things ahead for The Elder Scrolls 6 if these new marketing strategies from Bethesda are anything to go by.
Fans Love and Hate It, Equally, Maybe
Regardless of your reaction to the Khajiit ASMR ad, Bethesda’s latest entry into the art of awkward “cringe marketing” has worked surprisingly well on platforms filled with a younger demographic, namely TikTok. Not so much on YouTube, though.
Prior to the Khajiit ASMR short, Bethesda also put out an Adoring Fan cringe marketing ad, and at around the same time, they shadow-dropped Oblivion Remastered. Likewise, it achieved a similar effect of disturbing Elder Scrolls fans while also making them aware of Oblivion Remastered‘s existence.
Now, despite not having any marketing prior to coming out apart from leaks, Oblivion Remastered is a stellar release for Bethesda. The remake/remaster even sold 4 million copies just in the first week, despite also being available on the Xbox Game Pass. Currently, Oblivion Remastered is one of the best-selling titles of 2025.
Some fans, however, have pointed out that Bethesda’s follow-up cringe marketing for Oblivion Remastered is a little too effective. Jokes about someone were possible high, while coming up with the Khajiit and Adoring Fan ads were aplenty; others claimed that the ad made them recall the infernal 2019 Cats movie.
“What in the fresh moonsugar hell is this,” questions Redditor vashts19852
“Khajit? Come on, Bethesda. ASMRgonian was right there,” criticizes Redditor Sinisphere
“Skooma just kicked in 😱🦄🌈🧚🏻,” says Redditor Reasonable_Option493
“Alright, that’s enough skooma for today… 😂,” according to Redditor RecommendationOk8032
