"Oblivion Remastered Reintroduces Paid Horse Armor DLC"

In 2006, Bethesda was riding the wave of success from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. To keep the excitement alive in Cyrodiil, the developer introduced small paid DLC packages. However, the launch of the first DLC, the Horse Armor Pack, in April of that year, sparked significant controversy. Priced at 200 Microsoft Points, roughly $2.50 at the time, the pack offered essentially cosmetic and functionally useless horse armor, marking a pivotal moment in the history of downloadable content.

Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape of video game monetization has evolved dramatically. Cosmetic upgrades are now a staple in gaming, and Bethesda has embraced this shift with the release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. The remaster was unveiled and shadow-dropped today, featuring a base edition and a deluxe edition. The deluxe edition, which costs an additional $10 over the base game, includes new quests, unique armors, additional weapon options, a digital artbook, a soundtrack app, and, humorously, two sets of horse armor.

Fans have largely taken this in stride, reflecting the gaming community's current acceptance of cosmetic DLC. The industry has seen a significant increase in spending on digital add-ons, with U.S. consumers spending over $10.4 billion on PC and console video game add-ons in 2024, as noted by Circana analyst Mat Piscatella on BlueSky. He quipped, "Horse Armor walked so Battle Passes could run," highlighting the evolution of in-game purchases.

Many find Bethesda's nod to the past amusing, with social media filled with reactions ranging from nostalgic humor to respect for the company's self-aware approach.

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 has also quickly attracted community mods, available on Nexus Mods just hours after launch, though these primarily offer minor customization options.

As we await more mods, delve into discussions on whether this release is more of a remake than a remaster and why Bethesda chose the "Remastered" label.

For a comprehensive look at Oblivion Remastered, check out our guide, which includes an interactive map, full walkthroughs for the main and guild quests, tips on building the perfect character, and much more.

Which Race Are You Playing As in Oblivion?

• Altmer
• Argonian
• Bosmer
• Breton
• Dunmer
• Imperial
• Khajiit
• Nord
• Orc
• Redguard