In 2006, Bethesda was using excessive on the success of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. In an effort to maintain followers coming again to Cyrodiil, the developer began releasing small paid DLC packages for the sport. Little did the corporate know that it was galloping headlong into controversy when it dropped its first DLC pack that April: horse armor.
Even if you happen to weren’t following video games on the time, you have possible heard of the horse armor controversy. Although DLC definitely existed pre-horse armor, Oblivion’s Horse Armor Pack (which value 200 Microsoft Factors on the 360 Market, roughly $2.50 on the time) actually prompted a stir because of the armor being basically ineffective.
Now, in 2025, beauty upgrades resembling this are commonplace, which has allowed Bethesda to be a bit cheeky in its launch of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and as soon as once more cost gamers additional for horse armor. As part of at present’s reveal and shadow-drop of the remaster, we realized that Oblivion Remastered will embody each a base version and a deluxe version. For an additional $10 on prime of the bottom recreation worth, deluxe version consumers will get new quests for distinctive armors, additional weapon choices, a digital artbook and soundtrack app… and sure, horse armor once more. Two units, to be exact.
For essentially the most half, followers appear to be taking this of their stride. We’re nearly 20 years away from a time when beauty DLC like horse armor was a stunning factor to introduce, and gamers at this level are used to shelling out cash for purely beauty upgrades. As Circana analyst Mat Piscatella pointed out on BlueSky, online game customers within the U.S. spent over $10.4 billion on PC and console online game digital add-ons in 2024. “Horse Armor walked so Battle Passes might run.”
The truth is, most individuals simply discover it humorous that Bethesda appears snug poking enjoyable at what was as soon as a large scandal.
PAID HORSE ARMOR DLC. OBLIVION IS TRULY BACK. pic.twitter.com/1DJFIPzHB0
— Many A True Nerd (@ManyATrueNerd) April 22, 2025
Actually I’ve to respect it. New gamers will not know this, however releasing the horse armor as paid DLC once more is a refined reference to after they singlehandedly ruined the business by promoting it the primary time round. I kneel, Todd. https://t.co/BGwBwL3VYX
— UGS | Ajay (@AJ34_SSB) April 22, 2025
£10 for Horse Armor in #OblivionRemastered ??? There is no method that is gonna catch on pic.twitter.com/E1jqpPZFYr
— Olive_Meister (@Olive_Meisterr) April 22, 2025
Oblivion Remastered would not simply have horse armor, it already has mods. A handful of group mods made their approach to widespread web site Nexus Mods simply hours after Oblivion launched, though these largely quantity to small customization choices.
Whereas we anticipate extra mods to drop, you may learn up on why some gamers assume at present’s launch is extra remake than remaster and why Bethesda opted to present it that “Remastered” identify within the first place.
We have a complete information to all the pieces you may discover in Oblivion Remastered, together with an expansive Interactive Map, full Walkthroughs for the Most important Questline and each Guild Quest, The right way to Construct the Excellent Character, Issues to Do First, and way more.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You will discover her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Bought a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.