Oblivion Remastered Reintroduces Paid Horse Armor DLC

In 2006, Bethesda was basking in the acclaim of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. To keep fans engaged with the world of Cyrodiil, the studio began releasing small, paid DLC packages. However, Bethesda didn't anticipate the stir caused by their first DLC release in April: horse armor.

The Horse Armor Pack, priced at 200 Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360 Marketplace—roughly $2.50 at the time—ignited a firestorm of controversy. Although DLC wasn't new, the uproar over this seemingly trivial cosmetic item marked a pivotal moment in gaming history.

Fast forward to 2025, and cosmetic DLCs are no longer a novelty. With the release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda has embraced this shift by offering horse armor once again. Today's announcement and shadow-drop of the remaster revealed two editions: a base edition and a deluxe edition. For an additional $10, deluxe edition buyers receive new quests for unique armors, additional weapon options, a digital artbook, a soundtrack app, and, yes, two sets of horse armor.

Fans have largely taken this in stride, reflecting the industry's evolution. Nearly two decades after the initial controversy, players are accustomed to spending on cosmetic upgrades. 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," he quipped.

The reintroduction of horse armor has been met with humor and respect from the community, with many appreciating Bethesda's playful nod to past controversies.

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 also boasts a burgeoning mod scene. Within hours of launch, a selection of community mods appeared on popular platform Nexus Mods, primarily focusing on minor customization options.

As the modding community continues to expand its offerings, you can delve into why some players believe today's release leans more towards a remake than a remaster and Bethesda's rationale behind labeling it "Remastered."

For a thorough exploration of Oblivion Remastered, check out our comprehensive guide. It includes an expansive Interactive Map, detailed Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and Guild Quests, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, and essential Things to Do First, among other resources.