In 2006, Bethesda was riding high on the success of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. To keep the fans engaged with the world of Cyrodiil, the developer began releasing small paid DLC packages. However, their first release in April, the Horse Armor Pack, sparked a significant controversy. Priced at 200 Microsoft Points (around $2.50 at the time) on the Xbox 360 Marketplace, this seemingly trivial cosmetic item for horses stirred debate due to its perceived lack of value.
Fast forward to 2025, and cosmetic upgrades have become a norm in the gaming industry. This shift allowed Bethesda to playfully reintroduce the concept with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Alongside the game's reveal and immediate release, it was announced that players could opt for a base edition or 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, notably, two sets of horse armor.
The response from fans has been largely positive, reflecting a change in attitudes over nearly two decades. Today, the gaming community is accustomed to spending money on cosmetic enhancements. 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. "Horse Armor walked so Battle Passes could run," Piscatella remarked, highlighting the evolution of in-game purchases.
Many fans have embraced Bethesda's nod to the past with humor and appreciation:
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 horse armor, Oblivion Remastered has already seen the emergence of mods. Just hours after its launch, a selection of community mods appeared on Nexus Mods, offering various customization options. As the modding community continues to grow, players can expect more enhancements and alterations to the game.
While awaiting further mods, you can explore why some players consider today's release more of a remake than a remaster and understand Bethesda's decision to label it as "Remastered."
Our comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered includes an expansive Interactive Map, detailed Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and all Guild Quests, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, and a list of Things to Do First, among other resources.
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