"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 game fresh and engaging, the developer began releasing small paid DLC packages. However, the first DLC, released in April, stirred unexpected controversy: horse armor. Even those not deeply immersed in gaming culture have likely heard of the horse armor controversy. Prior to this, DLC existed, but Oblivion's Horse Armor Pack, priced at 200 Microsoft Points on the 360 Marketplace (around $2.50 at the time), caused a stir due to its perceived lack of utility.

Fast forward to 2025, cosmetic upgrades like horse armor have become standard in the gaming industry. This evolution has allowed Bethesda to playfully reintroduce horse armor with the launch of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Alongside the base edition, a deluxe edition offers additional content for an extra $10, including new quests, unique armors, additional weapon options, a digital artbook, a soundtrack app, and, notably, two sets of horse armor.

Today's gaming community seems to embrace this move with a sense of humor. Nearly two decades after the initial shock of cosmetic DLC, players are accustomed to spending on such enhancements. As noted by Circana analyst Mat Piscatella on BlueSky, U.S. gamers spent over $10.4 billion on PC and console video game digital add-ons in 2024. "Horse Armor walked so Battle Passes could run," Piscatella remarked, highlighting the evolution of gaming monetization.

Many fans find Bethesda's nod to the past amusing, appreciating the company's willingness to jest about what was once a major scandal.

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 horse armor; it's already supported by a vibrant modding community. Within hours of its release, several mods appeared on Nexus Mods, offering small customization options.

As the modding scene grows, you can delve into why some players consider today's release more of a remake than a remaster and the reasoning behind Bethesda's choice of the "Remastered" label.

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