In 2006, Bethesda was basking in the glow of success following the release of *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion*. To keep the fires of fandom burning brightly in Cyrodiil, the developer introduced small, paid DLC packages. However, they unwittingly sparked a firestorm of controversy with their first DLC release in April: the infamous Horse Armor Pack. Priced at 200 Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360 Marketplace—about $2.50 at the time—this seemingly innocuous addition was met with widespread criticism for its perceived lack of utility.
Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape of gaming has shifted dramatically. Cosmetic upgrades, once a point of contention, are now a standard feature in many games. Bethesda, seizing the moment, has playfully reintroduced the concept with the launch of *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered*. Alongside the base edition, a deluxe edition is available for an additional $10. This premium version offers not only new quests, unique armors, and additional weapon options but also includes a digital artbook, a soundtrack app, and, humorously, two sets of horse armor once again.
The gaming community's response has been largely positive, reflecting a shift in attitudes over nearly two decades. Today, players are accustomed to investing in cosmetic enhancements, as evidenced by the $10.4 billion spent on PC and console video game digital add-ons in the U.S. in 2024, according to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella. He remarked, "Horse Armor walked so Battle Passes could run," highlighting the evolution of in-game purchases.
Many fans find Bethesda's nod to past controversies amusing and appreciate the developer's willingness to poke fun at itself. Social media reactions have been filled with laughter and respect for the company's self-awareness:
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 attracting modders. Just hours after its release, a selection of community mods surfaced on popular site Nexus Mods, offering players additional customization options.
As the modding community gears up for more creations, delve deeper into the discussion around whether *Oblivion Remastered* is more of a remake than a remaster, and explore Bethesda's reasoning behind the "Remastered" label. For a complete overview of what *Oblivion Remastered* has to offer, check out our comprehensive guide, which includes an expansive Interactive Map, detailed Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and Guild Quests, tips on Building the Perfect Character, and a list of Things to Do First.
