In 2006, Bethesda was basking in the glow of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion's success. To keep the fans engaged in the world of Cyrodiil, the developer introduced small, paid DLC packages. However, they inadvertently sparked controversy with their first release in April: the infamous Horse Armor DLC.
The Horse Armor Pack, priced at 200 Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360 Marketplace—roughly $2.50 at the time—became a focal point of debate due to its perceived lack of utility. Even those not deeply involved in gaming circles have likely heard about this contentious issue. Although DLC was not new, the introduction of such a seemingly trivial item for a fee stirred significant unrest.
Fast forward to 2025, and cosmetic upgrades have become a staple in the gaming industry. Bethesda, capitalizing on this trend, cheekily reintroduced horse armor with the shadow-drop and reveal of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. The remaster comes in two versions: a base edition and a deluxe edition. For an additional $10, buyers of the deluxe edition can enjoy new quests for unique armors, additional weapon options, a digital artbook, a soundtrack app, and, of course, two sets of horse armor.
Today's gaming community has largely accepted this move with humor and nostalgia. Nearly two decades have passed since cosmetic DLC like horse armor was a novel and controversial concept. Players are now accustomed to spending money on purely aesthetic enhancements. As noted by Circana analyst Mat Piscatella on BlueSky, U.S. video game consumers spent over $10.4 billion on PC and console digital add-ons in 2024. Piscatella remarked, "Horse Armor walked so Battle Passes could run."
The general sentiment among fans is one of amusement at Bethesda's playful nod to 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 not only includes the return of horse armor but also supports mods. Just hours after its release, a selection of community mods appeared on the popular site Nexus Mods, primarily offering minor customization options.
As we anticipate more mods to become available, you can explore why some players consider this release more of a remake than a remaster and why Bethesda chose to label it as "Remastered."
Our comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered covers everything from an expansive Interactive Map to 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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