In 2006, Bethesda was basking in the glow of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion's success. To keep fans engaged with the world of Cyrodiil, the studio began releasing small paid DLC packages. Little did they know, their first offering in April—the Horse Armor Pack—would stir up a storm. Priced at 200 Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360 Marketplace (about $2.50 back then), this seemingly trivial cosmetic item sparked a major controversy because of its perceived lack of value.
Fast forward to 2025, and cosmetic upgrades have become the norm in gaming. Bethesda, in a playful nod to the past, has reintroduced the infamous horse armor with the launch of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Alongside the base edition, a deluxe edition is available for an additional $10, which includes new quests for unique armors, extra weapon options, a digital artbook, a soundtrack app, and—yes—two sets of horse armor.Today's gaming community seems to take this in stride. Nearly two decades after the initial shock of cosmetic DLC, players are accustomed to spending on such enhancements. As noted by Circana analyst Mat Piscatella on BlueSky, U.S. gamers spent over $10.4 billion on digital add-ons for PC and console games in 2024. "Horse Armor walked so Battle Passes could run," he remarked, highlighting the evolution of in-game purchases.
Many fans find Bethesda's move amusing, appreciating the company's willingness to poke fun at a once-notorious scandal.
PAID HORSE ARMOR DLC. OBLIVION IS TRULY BACK. pic.twitter.com/1DJFIPzHB0
— Many A True Nerd (@ManyATrueNerd) April 22, 2025
Honestly I have to respect it. New players won't know this, but releasing the horse armor as paid DLC again is a subtle reference to when they singlehandedly ruined the industry by selling it the first time around. I kneel, Todd. https://t.co/BGwBwL3VYX
— UGS | Ajay (@AJ34_SSB) April 22, 2025
£10 for Horse Armor in #OblivionRemastered ??? There's no way that's gonna catch on pic.twitter.com/E1jqpPZFYr
— Olive_Meister (@Olive_Meisterr) April 22, 2025
Oblivion Remastered isn't just about horse armor; it's also embracing the modding community. Just hours after its launch, a few mods appeared on Nexus Mods, offering minor customization options.
As we await more mods, delve into why some players believe today's release leans more towards a remake than a remaster and explore Bethesda's reasoning behind the "Remastered" label.
For a deep dive into Oblivion Remastered, check out our comprehensive guide, featuring an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, and much more.
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