In 2006, Bethesda was riding the wave of success from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. To keep fans engaged in the world of Cyrodiil, they began rolling out small, paid DLC packages. However, the launch of their first DLC, the Horse Armor Pack in April, sparked a major controversy. Priced at 200 Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360 Marketplace, roughly $2.50 at the time, this seemingly trivial cosmetic item became infamous for its perceived lack of value.
Fast forward to 2025, and cosmetic upgrades like horse armor are now a standard part of the gaming industry. Bethesda capitalized on this shift by releasing The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, cleverly reintroducing the infamous horse armor. 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, of course, two sets of horse armor.
The gaming community has largely embraced this move with humor and acceptance. Nearly two decades after the initial controversy, players are accustomed to paying for cosmetic enhancements. As noted by Circana analyst Mat Piscatella on BlueSky, U.S. consumers spent over $10.4 billion on digital add-ons for PC and console games in 2024. Piscatella remarked, "Horse Armor walked so Battle Passes could run," highlighting the evolution of in-game purchases.
Many fans find Bethesda's playful nod to past scandals amusing, as evidenced by social media reactions:
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 is not just about nostalgia; it's also embracing the modding community. Just hours after the game's launch, several mods appeared on Nexus Mods, offering minor customization options. As more mods are expected to be released, players can explore additional content and personalization.
For those interested in deeper insights, you can read about why some consider this release more of a remake than a remaster, and why Bethesda chose the "Remastered" label. Our comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered includes an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, and a list of Things to Do First.
