Oblivion angered many players with a detail almost 20 years ago, and it has made the same mistake again with the remaster
One of gaming’s most infamous microtransactions has returned—and fans haven’t forgotten.
Back in 2006, Bethesda released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion on PC and Xbox 360, marking a new era for RPGs. But alongside its expansive world came one of the first widely recognized microtransactions in gaming: horse armor.
Players could purchase cosmetic armor for their horse for a modest $2.50, a move that sparked widespread criticism. At the time, gamers were accustomed to expansions that added significant content, rather than paid cosmetic DLCs. The backlash was immediate, with forums mocking Bethesda’s decision—but despite the outrage, the horse armor DLC became a commercial success.
This moment paved the way for a future filled with microtransactions, as publishers realized players would pay for digital cosmetics.
Oblivion Remastered brings back the controversy
Now, nearly two decades later, Bethesda is leaning into the joke with Oblivion Remastered.
The base version of Oblivion Remastered includes the full game along with the Knights of the Nine expansion and the critically acclaimed Shivering Isles expansion. However, players who upgrade to the Deluxe Edition ($9.99) gain access to additional missions, armor, and yes: new sets of horse armor.
Predictably, the internet has revived the old joke, with Reddit users laughing at the fact that Bethesda is still charging for horse armor in 2025. While microtransactions have evolved far beyond simple cosmetic add-ons, this nostalgic callback reminds players of how it all started.
Whether you find it hilarious or frustrating, the return of Oblivion’s infamous DLC is proof that some gaming moments never truly fade, and also, what Bethesda claimed about the game preserving the same experience.
Where to play Oblivion Remastered
- Oblivion Remastered is available on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5.
- The Deluxe Edition can be purchased for $9.99, unlocking additional missions and armor sets.
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