On April 22, Bethesda Softworks announced the remaster of the iconic role-playing game, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, originally released in 2006. The remastered Legacy Collection features modernized graphics and gameplay additions, bringing these iconic titles to a new audience. Interestingly, Bethesda has released a new $10 “Deluxe” DLC pack at the same time as this release. It introduces dynamic new story quests, formidable new weapons and foes, and of course, horse armor!
The horse armor DLC isn’t just a look back on one of the most inflammatory instances in gaming history. Originally launched in 2006 for $3, it was roundly mocked by critics and consumers alike for its apparent lack of worth. Bethesda’s move to charge Bethesda 3 times as much for this item in 2025 has gamers scratching their heads. This action underlines how much this space has evolved. I’ve had publishers pitch cosmetic upgrades at $10, $15, sometimes even $20 prices.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is now available on multiple platforms, including Xbox, PlayStation 5, PC, and Game Pass Ultimate. For the gamers, they can pick up a standard edition that bundles in all of the previously released DLC from the original game. If you’re looking to take your experience to the next level, don’t miss the Deluxe Upgrade. It’ll be very easy to find on Steam, both as a standalone purchase and as part of a bundle.
The backlash to the original horse armor DLC forced developers to navigate a fine line when selling downloadable content. Bethesda has from what is evident learned from the backlash of 2006. They’ve taken a creative approach to pricing that’s much more in line with today’s gaming industry trends. The massive new Deluxe DLC delivers fresh, thrilling gameplay experiences to players. It serves as a reminder to them with respect to valuable lessons learned from the mistakes of the past.