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. However, their first foray into this new territory, the Horse Armor Pack released in April, sparked a major controversy. Priced at 200 Microsoft Points on the 360 Marketplace—roughly $2.50 at the time—the pack's cosmetic nature and perceived lack of utility caused a significant uproar among gamers, marking a notable moment in the history of downloadable content.
Fast forward to 2025, and the gaming landscape has shifted dramatically. Cosmetic upgrades like horse armor are now a standard part of the industry, allowing Bethesda to humorously revisit this contentious piece of gaming history with the release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Announced and shadow-dropped today, the remaster comes in both a base and a deluxe edition. For an additional $10, the deluxe edition offers new quests for unique armors, additional weapon options, a digital artbook, a soundtrack app, and, notably, two sets of horse armor. This nod to the past has been met with a mix of amusement and acceptance from fans, who are now accustomed to spending on cosmetic enhancements. As Circana analyst Mat Piscatella noted on BlueSky, U.S. consumers spent over $10.4 billion on digital add-ons for PC and console games in 2024, underscoring the shift in player behavior.
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
Beyond the nostalgic nod to horse armor, Oblivion Remastered is already seeing community engagement through mods. Just hours after the game's launch, several mods appeared on the popular site Nexus Mods, offering various customization options. As we anticipate more mods to emerge, you can delve into why some players believe today's release leans more towards a remake than a remaster and the reasoning behind Bethesda's choice of the "Remastered" label.
For a deep dive into everything Oblivion Remastered offers, check out our comprehensive guide. It includes an expansive Interactive Map, detailed Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and all Guild Quests, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, and a list of Things to Do First, among other resources.
AnswerSee Results
