OpenTESArena describes itself as an in-progress modern open-source engine for the original 1994 DOS game, built with a clean-room approach and quality-of-life changes. Arena Rebuilt is an independent, solo-developed reconstruction being built using Unity software.
The projects are not affiliated and take their own approaches to bringing Arena forward for modern players. Supporting one does not require dismissing the other: more serious work around Arena gives the first Elder Scrolls game a stronger future.
What is Arena Rebuilt building toward?
Arena Rebuilt’s goal is to become the definitive modern way to play The Elder Scrolls: Arena. The complete original campaign and game rules come first, supported by modern controls, modern displays, improved stability, dependable saves, and optional quality-of-life improvements.
Modding is a core part of that goal. Arena Rebuilt is being designed to support modding from day one through mod-friendly data and tools.
A spiritual successor to Daggerfall Unity’s approach
Arena Rebuilt was inspired by the question, “Daggerfall has a Unity port—why doesn’t Arena have a similar modern recreation?” It is intended as a spiritual successor to the approach that made Daggerfall Unity meaningful to modern players, applied independently to the first Elder Scrolls game. Arena Rebuilt is not affiliated with Daggerfall Unity.
Where does development stand?
Arena Rebuilt is in active development and is not publicly playable yet. The complete world has been imported, cities have population, enemies are implemented in dungeons, and quest implementation and audio are next. Current screenshots and dated development notes are published on this website.
See Arena Rebuilt screenshots Read about the Arena Unity project →