Oblivion Remastered Reintroduces Paid Horse Armor DLC

In 2006, Bethesda was basking in the glory of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion's success. To keep the excitement alive in Cyrodiil, the studio began rolling out small paid DLC packages. However, the launch of their first DLC in April, the Horse Armor Pack, sparked unexpected controversy. Priced at 200 Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360 Marketplace, roughly $2.50 at the time, this seemingly innocuous cosmetic item became infamous for its perceived lack of value.

Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape of video game monetization has shifted dramatically. Cosmetic upgrades are now a staple in the industry, a fact Bethesda playfully acknowledged with the release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Alongside the reveal and immediate launch of the remaster, Bethesda introduced 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—nodding to the past—two sets of horse armor.

Today, the reaction from fans is largely one of amusement and acceptance. The shock value of cosmetic DLC has long faded, with players accustomed to spending on such 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 alone. Piscatella humorously remarked, "Horse Armor walked so Battle Passes could run," highlighting the evolution of in-game purchases.

The community has responded with a mix of nostalgia and humor to Bethesda's nod to the past:

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 isn't just revisiting old controversies; it's also embracing the modding community. Within hours of its release, several mods appeared on Nexus Mods, offering minor customization options.

As we await more mods, delve into the debate on whether today's release is more of a remake than a remaster, and explore Bethesda's reasoning behind the "Remastered" label.

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, and Things to Do First, ensuring you get the most out of your return to Cyrodiil.