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Former Bethesda designer Bruce Nesmith later estimated that The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion’s controversial Horse Armor DLC sold “in the millions.” He did not remember the exact total, so the figure is a retrospective estimate—not an audited sales number disclosed by Bethesda.
How many copies of Oblivion’s Horse Armor sold?
Nesmith’s estimate, reported by PC Gamer on October 17, 2024, was “in the millions, it had to be millions.” He also said he could not recall the precise count. No exact lifetime sales total or formal Bethesda sales record is established by the reporting, so “millions” is the strongest supportable answer—not a precise figure.
Nesmith recalled the disconnect between the joke and the purchases: “That was kind of a head shaker for us: You’re all making fun of it and yet you buy it.” The remark captures why the add-on became a lasting industry anecdote: public ridicule did not necessarily mean players would refuse to pay for it.
What was the Horse Armor DLC?
Released for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Horse Armor was downloadable cosmetic content, not a separate game. Contemporary coverage described two pieces of armor for horses. It did not make the add-on a required purchase to play the game.
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- ARMORED HORSE FIGURINE: A protected war mount, it accompanies knights in epic battles.
- A collectible figurine and gift, it serves as a decorative element for the home by adding visual depth.
- PAPO toys for children aged 3 offer a fun experience that develops imagination and encourages discovery of the world through play.
- PAPO FIGURINE: For 30 years, PAPO has been creating figurines that delight children worldwide, with more than 750 references spread across coherent and richly detailed thematic universes.
- PAPO relies on French talent and craftsmanship and has joined the ACFJF (Association of French Toy Creators and Manufacturers). The creations are imagined, designed and developed in France.
How much did it cost at launch?
An Engadget report published April 4, 2006, the day after release, listed historical launch prices of $2.50 on Xbox 360 and $1.99 on PC. Those are 2006 prices, not current prices or a guide to present-day availability.
| Platform | Reported launch price | What the source establishes |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox 360 | $2.50 | Engadget’s contemporary report of the April 2006 launch price |
| PC | $1.99 | Engadget’s contemporary report of the April 2006 launch price |
Why did players object to it?
The backlash was about value: players questioned paying separately for a relatively small cosmetic item and whether the asking price matched what it added. Bethesda’s Pete Hines defended the optional nature of the content in the 2006 Engadget report: “These are optional things, not requirements, so if you don’t want to get them you don’t have to.” That answered whether players were compelled to buy it, but not the central criticism about price.
Rank #2
- BLACK ARMORED HORSE FIGURINE: A combat-protected mount, it reinforces battle scenes and the knights universe.
- Both a collectible figurine and a gift item, it integrates as a decorative element for the home with style and simplicity.
- From age 3, children discover with PAPO a stimulating toy that combines pleasure and pedagogy to promote their intellectual development.
- PAPO relies on French talent and craftsmanship and has joined the ACFJF (Association of French Toy Creators and Manufacturers). The creations are imagined, designed and developed in France.
- PAPO FIGURINE: In nearly 30 years, PAPO has developed a remarkable catalog of more than 750 figurines, passionately covering the worlds of animals, dinosaurs, pirates and historical characters.
The scale of the argument was visible at the time. An Xbox Wire post on April 5, 2006 called the issue “now legendary” and noted more than 400 comments and discussion. That records activity around the controversy, not a measure of how representative or widespread player opposition was.
What did Bethesda later say about the price?
In a 2009 GamesRadar+ interview, Todd Howard described Oblivion’s downloadable-content strategy as experimental. He said Bethesda used Xbox theme pricing as an initial reference: an Xbox theme cost 150 Microsoft points, while Horse Armor was priced at 200 points. Those are historical Microsoft Points figures, not direct present-day currency equivalents. Howard said players considered the add-on too expensive, and that Bethesda later priced content according to what it thought it was worth rather than established prices.
Rank #3
- Historic Templar Knight Symbolism: Embodies the valor of a Medieval Knight from the legendary Templar order, depicted in dynamic action with spear lowered atop his charging horse for powerful historical decor
- Premium Resin Craftsmanship: Expertly crafted from high-quality, durable resin, this knight statue captures intricate details of the knight, his spear (dismountable), and the charging horse for lasting display
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- Perfect Gift & Collectible: An exceptional gift for history buffs, collectors; this Knight figure is ideal for birthdays, Christmas, or as a special reward
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Howard returned to the controversy in GameSpot’s 2019 coverage, saying the price point was the issue. He also described Bethesda doubling the price as an April Fools’ joke; it sold well because customers understood the joke and wanted to take part. His broader defense was simple: “Horse armor is not bad. I think horse armor is fine.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Was Horse Armor the first microtransaction?
It is safer to describe Horse Armor as an early, prominent console DLC controversy and a formative example in debates about paid add-ons. The available reporting does not establish that it was the first microtransaction, and calling it definitively the first would overstate the evidence.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- TOURNAMENT HORSE FIGURINE: A robust mount destined for jousting, it reinforces the realism of medieval and chivalrous scenes.
- Both a collectible figurine and a gift item, it integrates as a decorative element for the home with style and simplicity.
- From age 3, children enjoy a PAPO toy that stimulates their creativity while helping them learn in an amusing way.
- PAPO relies on French talent and craftsmanship and has joined the ACFJF (Association of French Toy Creators and Manufacturers). The creations are imagined, designed and developed in France.
- PAPO FIGURINE: For 30 years PAPO has put figurines at the service of children's imagination: more than 750 carefully detailed models to explore universes as diverse as the farm, the sea or the Middle Ages.
Rank #4
- Exceptional Detail: This highly favored collection brings classic religious inspiration to any space in your home or office with beautifully fine crafted attention to detail.
- Quality Material: This item is carefully constructed of high-quality material to be enjoyed for many years. Easy to maintain, extremely durable, and long lasting!
- Excellent Religious Gift Idea: This item makes a great gift to give for any religious holiday, receiving sacrament celebrations, birthday occasions, or house warming blessings.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
