Oblivion Remastered Reintroduces Paid Horse Armor DLC

In 2006, Bethesda was basking in the glow of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion's success. To keep the momentum going, they began releasing small paid DLC packages. However, the launch of their first DLC, the Horse Armor Pack in April, unexpectedly stirred up a storm. Priced at 200 Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360 Marketplace, equivalent to roughly $2.50, this seemingly innocuous cosmetic item sparked widespread debate due to its perceived lack of utility.

Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape of video game monetization has shifted dramatically. Cosmetic upgrades are now a staple in the industry, allowing Bethesda to playfully revisit the horse armor controversy with the release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Alongside the base edition, a deluxe edition is available for an additional $10, offering new quests, unique armors, extra weapon options, a digital artbook, a soundtrack app, and, yes, horse armor—now in two sets.

The gaming community's reaction has been largely positive, reflecting a shift in attitudes over nearly two decades. What was once a shocking introduction of cosmetic DLC is now a familiar aspect of gaming culture. 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. Piscatella humorously remarked, "Horse Armor walked so Battle Passes could run," highlighting the evolution of in-game purchases.

Many fans appreciate Bethesda's light-hearted nod to the past, finding humor in the company's willingness to revisit what was once a contentious issue.

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 about nostalgia; it's also embracing the modding community. Just hours after its launch, a selection of mods appeared on Nexus Mods, offering players additional customization options.

As we await more mods, delve into why some consider this release more of a remake than a remaster, and explore Bethesda's reasoning behind the "Remastered" label.

For a deep dive into Oblivion Remastered, check out our comprehensive guide, which includes an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, and much more.