The Skyblivion team faces legal threats from a former volunteer demanding €30,000 in damages over work contributed to the Oblivion remake mod project. Lead developer Kyle 'Rebelzize' Rebel announced the dispute in a YouTube video and written statement.
The conflict arose after the volunteer departed the project and objected to the team's decompilation of parts of their work. Skyblivion leadership says decompilation was necessary to maintain functionality and fix issues after access to the original source code repository was revoked. To resolve the dispute, the team removed the former volunteer's contributions entirely and replaced them with new work developed by other volunteers and integrated Skyrim mods.
Despite telling the ex-volunteer multiple times that their work had been removed, Rebel states the former developer is "threatening to sue for damages upwards of €30,000" and demanding personal information including full names and addresses of multiple Skyblivion volunteers. The team views these demands as "completely disproportionate" and refuses to comply.
Skyblivion's modders have already consulted with legal counsel. A lawyer stands ready if needed, though legal fees would cost €2,500. The team has called for volunteers with backgrounds in IP law or GDPR law to offer pro bono assistance.
"I just hope that we can get this resolved as soon as possible and get on with the planned release," Rebel said. Former volunteer Dee Keyes, who previously clashed with the project over its 2025 release timeline, tweeted that while he understands the ex-volunteer's upset, he doesn't see justification for demanding their work be removed.
Skyblivion was originally set to release last year but was delayed into 2026. The mod has now faced drama in consecutive years during its supposed release cycle.