"Oblivion Remastered Reintroduces Paid Horse Armor DLC"

In 2006, Bethesda was basking in the glow of success from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. To keep the game fresh and its fans engaged, the company began rolling out small paid downloadable content (DLC) packages. However, the launch of the first DLC, the Horse Armor Pack, in April of that year, sparked a firestorm of controversy. Priced at 200 Microsoft Points (about $2.50), the pack offered essentially cosmetic armor for horses, which many players found to be of little practical value.

Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape of video game monetization has shifted dramatically. Cosmetic upgrades have become a staple in the gaming industry. In a nod to its past, Bethesda released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, alongside a cheeky reintroduction of the infamous horse armor. The remaster's reveal and immediate availability came with the announcement of both a base edition and a deluxe edition. For an additional $10, the deluxe edition includes new quests, unique armors, additional weapon options, a digital artbook, a soundtrack app, and—yes—two sets of horse armor.

Today's gamers are more accustomed to paying for cosmetic enhancements, and the reaction to the reintroduction of horse armor has been largely positive and humorous. The once-shocking concept of cosmetic DLC is now a familiar part of the gaming ecosystem. According to 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, illustrating the normalization of such purchases. As Piscatella noted, "Horse Armor walked so Battle Passes could run."

The community's response has been filled with light-hearted banter and appreciation for Bethesda's playful nod to gaming history.

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 revisits the horse armor controversy but also embraces the modding community. Just hours after the remaster's launch, several community mods appeared on the popular site Nexus Mods, primarily offering minor customization options. As the modding scene continues to evolve, players can anticipate even more creative additions.

While waiting for more mods to emerge, you can delve into discussions on why some players believe today's release is more of a remake than a remaster, and explore Bethesda's reasoning behind the "Remastered" label.

For those eager to dive into Oblivion Remastered, we offer a comprehensive guide that covers everything from an expansive Interactive Map to complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, along with tips on How to Build the Perfect Character and Things to Do First.