In 2006, Bethesda was flourishing after the success of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. To maintain player engagement in Cyrodiil, the studio began releasing small paid DLC packs. What the developers didn't anticipate was the firestorm that would erupt when they launched their first downloadable content that April: horse armor.
Even gamers unfamiliar with the era have likely heard about the horse armor controversy. While DLC existed before Oblivion's release, the Horse Armor Pack (priced at 200 Microsoft Points, roughly $2.50 at the time) caused an uproar because the cosmetic upgrade offered no practical benefits.
Fast forward to 2025, when cosmetic microtransactions have become standard practice. This normalization allows Bethesda to embrace its history with the recent launch of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, humorously including horse armor once again as paid content. The remaster offers both standard and deluxe editions—the latter, priced $10 higher, includes new armor quests, additional weapons, a digital artbook and soundtrack, and yes, two sets of horse armor.
Interestingly, the gaming community appears largely unfazed this time around. Nearly twenty years after cosmetic DLC first sparked outrage, players have grown accustomed to purchasing purely aesthetic upgrades. Circana analyst Mat Piscatella noted on BlueSky that U.S. consumers spent over $10.4 billion on digital add-ons in 2024, quipping: "Horse Armor walked so Battle Passes could run."
Rather than outrage, many fans find Bethesda's self-aware nod to gaming history amusing:
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
The Remastered edition has already spawned its first mods on Nexus Mods, though current offerings remain limited to minor customizations. For more on the release, read about why some consider this more remake than remaster, and Bethesda's rationale for the "Remastered" moniker.
Our comprehensive guide covers everything in Oblivion Remastered—from our detailed Interactive Map to complete walkthroughs for the Main Quest and Guild Quests, character building guides, essential early-game activities, and more.
