In 2006, Bethesda was riding the wave of success from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. To keep the excitement alive, they started releasing small paid DLC packages. However, they stirred up a storm with their first release in April: the horse armor DLC. Priced at 200 Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360 Marketplace (about $2.50), this seemingly trivial addition sparked widespread controversy due to its perceived lack of value and utility.

Fast forward to 2025, and cosmetic upgrades have become a standard in the gaming industry. Bethesda has taken a playful approach with the release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, reintroducing the infamous horse armor. As part of the game's reveal and shadow-drop, Bethesda announced two editions: a base edition and a deluxe edition. The deluxe edition, priced at an additional $10, offers new quests for unique armors, additional weapon options, a digital artbook, a soundtrack app, and, of course, two sets of horse armor.

Fans have largely embraced this move with a sense of humor. The concept of cosmetic DLC is no longer novel, as players have grown accustomed to paying for aesthetic enhancements. As noted by Circana analyst Mat Piscatella on BlueSky, U.S. video game consumers spent over $10.4 billion on PC and console digital add-ons in 2024. Piscatella quipped, "Horse Armor walked so Battle Passes could run," highlighting the evolution of in-game purchases.

The online community has responded with amusement and respect for Bethesda's nod to its controversial 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 about the horse armor; it's also mod-friendly. Within hours of its launch, a few community mods surfaced on Nexus Mods, mainly offering minor customization options. While we anticipate more mods, you can delve into discussions on whether this release leans more towards a remake than a remaster and why Bethesda chose the "Remastered" label.

For a deeper dive into Oblivion Remastered, check out our comprehensive guide featuring 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.