Home Gaming It only took 10 years for horse armor to seem okay

It only took 10 years for horse armor to seem okay

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Horse armor

Downloadable content has gone on a strange journey. Many of us are nostalgic for the bygone times when games were launched in complete states, no extra levels or missions available for download, developers would have to make sure the game was done before it went gold. Now, studios can continue to fix bugs after shipping the game (and even after launch day), and it has become normal for games to supplement the core experience with a host of DLC. But can you believe it’s been ten years since we were outraged by horse armor DLC?

According to Games Industry, it was ten years ago to the day that Bethesda released its horse armor DLC for Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Costing $2.50, horse armor did offer a bit of a health buff for your horse, but was primarily a cosmetic upgrade. It caused so much outcry among gamers that is became something of a short hand for superfluous DLC. How dare Bethesda charge $2.50 for a cosmetic customization?

Ten years ago, we could barely wrap our heads around DLC that offered more to a story, or additional characters. And if that content was developed before a game launched? How dare studios do that? Oh how things have changed since then.

Now, seasons passes are announced before games release and we have all grown accustomed to DLC offering a ton of extra content following launch. But that’s not even the most surprising thing; cosmetic upgrades have become the most popular form of DLC. From badges for your CoD soldier to bizarre cars in Rocket League, people not only expect to fork out for cosmetic DLC, they’re are excited about it.

Was Bethesda just ahead of its time with the idea of Horse Armor? Would it be considered okay if released on the current market?

My stance on DLC has changed in the past 10 years. After being adamantly against it, I now have a more accepting view. As long as the core game is good and isn’t stripped of content so that you have to get the DLC, it doesn’t really seem to be a problem for me. If you enjoy the base game and want more, you will probably be willing to pay for DLC that gives more missions, story lines or characters. If you play the base game online with friends and want to customize your character in the same way that you change your own appearance in real life by selecting a specific wardrobe, I have no issue with cosmetic DLC. Personally, I’ve never bought cosmetic DLC, but if other people see value in it, I see no problem with publishers offering it. The issue comes in when the base game isn’t worth the cost – if you can’t even make a game that’s worth the money, how you can charge more for the stuff that would have made it worthwhile?

Has your stance on DLC changed in the past 10 years, or is it all still just horse armor to you?

Last Updated: April 7, 2016

86 Comments

  1. Pariah

    April 7, 2016 at 10:39

    It’s all still Horse Armour to me. Even that OOH LOOK THAT’S EPIC *Buys season pass*… Sorry, what was I saying?

    Reply

  2. Greylingad[CNFRMD]

    April 7, 2016 at 10:39

    I’m only interested in story dlc, the other stuff can get into the deserted plains of a Siberian salt mine, while waiting for the harsh wind to corrode it’s worthless exterior that keeps devaluating the core experience we expect to get when buying a game…

    Reply

  3. Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

    April 7, 2016 at 10:46

    How some companies release their games
    https://media.giphy.com/media/jAp2BuwUZdbmo/giphy.gif

    Reply

    • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

      April 7, 2016 at 10:50

      Hahahahahahha!!!

      Reply

    • HairyEwok

      April 7, 2016 at 10:51

      Should be layers of onions being cut…

      Reply

    • RinceThis

      April 7, 2016 at 10:55

      That is some dope CGI!

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        April 7, 2016 at 11:00

        You’re a dope!

        Reply

      • BakedBagel

        April 7, 2016 at 11:02

        This is the police.
        I smell drugs in this thread.
        Put your hands up

        Reply

        • RinceThis

          April 7, 2016 at 11:05

          It’s for my glaucoma! I promise!

          Reply

          • BakedBagel

            April 7, 2016 at 11:06

            Is that a recipe for some dish?

          • RinceThis

            April 7, 2016 at 11:06

            Some might see it that way? 0_O

        • HairyEwok

          April 7, 2016 at 11:05

          for Detroit?

          Reply

      • oVg versus

        April 7, 2016 at 11:15

        They need a Duck slap

        Reply

  4. RinceThis

    April 7, 2016 at 10:54

    DLC has ruined this generation of many games. Yes, you don’t have to buy it for the majority of games, but when publishers know they can create a game that is 80% of what is possible so they can sell you the other 20% at a later date they then tend to skimp.

    Reply

  5. HairyEwok

    April 7, 2016 at 10:57

    Cosmetic DLC to me is such a waste. Why do you have to pay for something that puts your in a mental state of superiority… Oh, I have this skin therefore my skill in the game will increase by a substantial amount.

    Reply

  6. Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

    April 7, 2016 at 10:59

    F**k it, people voted with their wallet and now we have to trust publishers to implement DLC correctly. Some do it right I guess… Games like Evolve, Watch Dogs, Auras Wrath,Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13 (and almost the new Deus Ex) are taking the piss with gamers. DLC is becoming acceptable sure, but microtransactions is the latest crap we need to deal with. Thanks Bungie!

    Take The Division. Yes it has zero MT at them moment(that I’m aware off) but you can use Uplay points to buy certain things. The store is in place. It will take just one single patch from Ubisoft to add real money value to Phoenix Credits and some one better answer that phone, because I’m calling it now.

    Reply

  7. BakedBagel

    April 7, 2016 at 10:59

    Please dont justify companies selling stuff that would normally be on the disk. Cosmetics included. If the DLC does not progress the game in ways that was previously not in the game, then its a money grab.

    In online games where cosmetics can make you “stick out” from other players, thats their perogative. But charging $2.50 for a couple of pixels FOR AN OFFLINE ONLY GAME IS DAMN WELL ROBBERY

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

      April 7, 2016 at 11:03

      Fighting games for instance had unlockable characters. Tekken for instance his half the roster and forced you to play the game to unlock every one. Now it’s DLC packs as with MK or they get released in seasons as with Killer Instinct. Some people actually applaud this way of doing things which is pathetic

      Reply

      • BakedBagel

        April 7, 2016 at 11:05

        Damn straight. Half the fun of those fighting games for me was unlocking the characters through playing. No internet. Only me vs the pc. And everything was unlockable through playing. Finishing moves, alternate skins, levels, weapons.

        NONO. But Devs need the cash to SURVIVE.

        ITS ALL ABOUT SURVIVAL

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

          April 7, 2016 at 11:07

          Also fighting games had decent stories to tell. MK X was terrible and SF5 is a joke. It’s all geared towards esports now. I’m hoping KOF 14 and Tekken 7 doesn’t fail us in that regard

          Reply

          • HairyEwok

            April 7, 2016 at 11:09

            Your hope’s placed way too high. Developers like the band wagon… If they see something selling well they will do it no matter the cost of loyalty and dignity that falls away.

  8. Alien Emperor Trevor

    April 7, 2016 at 10:59

    I’m not against it provided what you get is worth the money & the main game hasn’t been gimped to make space for it. Additional DLC is fine, essential DLC is not, and if you want to buy a skin for $5 because you think it looks cool – go ahead.

    It’s the ripoffs and their pathetic justifications for shameless milking that piss me off. I won’t forget about your paid level cap increases in Borderlands 2, Randy.

    Reply

    • RinceThis

      April 7, 2016 at 11:01

      Why do you pick at that!? Damn you!

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        April 7, 2016 at 11:13

        Because Borderlands 2 is a brilliant example of how DLC can be good and bad, all in the same goddamn game.

        Reply

        • RinceThis

          April 7, 2016 at 11:16

          Sigh, I completely A* $5 DLC for the rest of that comment…

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 7, 2016 at 11:17

            I don’t buy crappy MP DLC ;P

          • RinceThis

            April 7, 2016 at 11:23

            You have nothing!

          • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

            April 7, 2016 at 11:26

            As well as your comment he didn’t pay $5 for

          • RinceThis

            April 7, 2016 at 11:26

            I suppose he has $5 then? 0_O

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 7, 2016 at 12:02

            Wait until he finds out MP stands for “mainly pointless”.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 7, 2016 at 11:42

            Borderlands 2 & all its DLC will cost you R1,079.00 on Steam right now. R360 of that is skins.

          • RinceThis

            April 7, 2016 at 11:44

            Bloody hell! Does that include the level caps?

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 7, 2016 at 11:46

            The “GOTY” edition is R489… includes the first paid level cap, but not the second. Well paid. I mean, played.

          • RinceThis

            April 7, 2016 at 11:47

            No wonder why you want to cuddle Randy 0_O

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            April 7, 2016 at 12:01

            Cuddle him with an iron pig…

            Yes, I am referring to that video….

  9. oVg versus

    April 7, 2016 at 11:07

    Im sure it was 9 years ago, back when THE ORANGE BOX were experimenting with episodic content.

    Do film fans support this shit. If the extended directors cut of Batman vs Superman featured 20 minutes of Wonder Woman exposition would the punters love it?

    NO

    GITS…

    However. THE WITCHER 3 DLC is what all DLC should be. Not levels cut from the game like LA Noir. Remember LA Noir? They even had voice scenes in the game referring to the cut DLC THAT I NEVER PLAYED because I dont HAVE INTERNET hooked up 24/7 for auto UPDATED PATCHES that do nothing but clog up the HD before deleting IT AGAIN!!! RAAAAAAAA!!!!!

    Ill Buy EXPANSIONS NOT DLC!!!! Unless its $5 panties for DOA Extreme 3 😛

    Reply

    • RinceThis

      April 7, 2016 at 11:09

      What you said!

      Reply

      • oVg versus

        April 7, 2016 at 11:11

        $5 FOR PANTIES?

        Reply

        • RinceThis

          April 7, 2016 at 11:12

          I, don’t know where I am!

          Reply

          • oVg versus

            April 7, 2016 at 11:14

            Horse Golden Bikini Land

          • RinceThis

            April 7, 2016 at 11:15

            AH, with you now.

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      April 7, 2016 at 11:11

      Rage did it too. There was a door or two in the main game that could only be opened if you bought the DLC.

      Why would you buy panties for DOA? I thought the point was for them to have less clothes.

      Reply

      • RinceThis

        April 7, 2016 at 11:12

        Stop pretending you understand!

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          April 7, 2016 at 11:15

          It’s all I have left!

          Reply

          • RinceThis

            April 7, 2016 at 11:17

            You have the cryogenically frozen OvG, or did you… Delete it? 0_O

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 7, 2016 at 11:18

            lol. The term is “consign” and no, I still have a frozen oVg.

          • oVg versus

            April 7, 2016 at 11:18

            Unlock the rest by completing the game, Ill even give you my skin for free. Because games are based around REWARD,,,,, FREE REWARD.

            IM TALKING TO YOU ROCKSTEADY STUDIOS AND NO UNLOCKABLE SKINS FOR BATMAN BY COMPLETING THE GAME.

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            April 7, 2016 at 12:04

            Free skins after the completion of a Batman game?! Have you gone mad?

      • oVg versus

        April 7, 2016 at 11:14

        Im not a sexist, I like my women fully clothed, not half naked 😛

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

          April 7, 2016 at 11:14

          lol

          Reply

        • RinceThis

          April 7, 2016 at 11:15

          bwahahaha

          Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          April 7, 2016 at 11:15

          LIES

          Reply

  10. Ryanza

    April 7, 2016 at 11:09

    Paid for DLC Items will never be ok. That’s why CDPR gave it away for free because it’s worthless.

    Don’t Support Console DRM.

    Reply

    • RinceThis

      April 7, 2016 at 11:11

      Does that mean we should support PC DRM?

      Reply

    • oVg versus

      April 7, 2016 at 11:12

      HEAR FCUKING HEAR.

      Or like how RAGE by John Carmack did it. You get rewarded free DLC by finding that elusive door.

      Reply

  11. oVg versus

    April 7, 2016 at 11:20

    We live in an age where the gamer is rewarded for completing the game on HARD difficulty by paying for their own skins.

    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

    Reply

    • RinceThis

      April 7, 2016 at 11:24

      No. You are rewarded for PAYING for the ability to play on Hard difficulty, I am looking at you Metro: Last Night! Ranger mode? GITFS

      Reply

      • oVg versus

        April 7, 2016 at 11:29

        OH SHIT I forgot about THQ and that paid difficulty bollocks. Little wonder they liquidated.

        Reply

        • RinceThis

          April 7, 2016 at 11:31

          How they can make such a great game and then balls up so badly I don’t know.

          Reply

          • oVg versus

            April 7, 2016 at 11:34

            Suits

          • RinceThis

            April 7, 2016 at 11:34

            Ain’t that the truth. THAT is the biggest change, not DLC. It’s suits knowing they can make money off gamers, because we’re too fucking thick to say no.

          • oVg versus

            April 7, 2016 at 11:40

            I have a cunning plan.

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        April 7, 2016 at 11:30

        Never mind their paid patches. I mean… enhanced editions.

        Reply

        • RinceThis

          April 7, 2016 at 11:31

          Ohhhhhhh

          Reply

        • oVg versus

          April 7, 2016 at 11:36

          lol it was tho. 60fps 🙂 Even the Tomb Raider re-boot for the ps4 was 60fps. I doubt the new game will be lol

          But as for The Remastered Sleeping Dogs, zeees that was bad. The old PC version ran better than the next gen console. Go figure.

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 7, 2016 at 11:39

            Fuck that. CDPR did it for free both times before. An enhanced edition on the same platform it was released on is a paid patch. 😛

          • oVg versus

            April 7, 2016 at 11:41

            Optimisation 😛

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 7, 2016 at 11:43

            That’s what patches are for. 😛

            Now go buy your MGSV demo again. 😛

          • oVg versus

            April 7, 2016 at 11:44

            Fuckonami

          • RinceThis

            April 7, 2016 at 11:45

            Careful! Too soon!

          • oVg versus

            April 7, 2016 at 11:45

            Hideo Kojima For President

          • RinceThis

            April 7, 2016 at 11:46

            He can GITFS! Bloody pervert *hahahahahaah

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 7, 2016 at 11:49

            You’ll have to pay $20 to vote for him for Vice President first.

          • RinceThis

            April 7, 2016 at 11:42

            It’s a driver update dammit!

    • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

      April 7, 2016 at 11:24

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      April 7, 2016 at 11:27

      I was playing Strider the other day. I’ve unlocked a couple of skins by finding some hidden rooms just by exploring the levels. I was legitimately surprised the first time it happened. WHAT YEAR IS IT?

      Reply

  12. Ryanza

    April 7, 2016 at 11:27

    The future of video games, $60 for a title screen and 1c for every item to load. Paid for loaded items will not roll-over.

    Don’t Support DRM. Beware of the future of video games.

    Reply

    • oVg versus

      April 7, 2016 at 11:31

      It only seems to be the Japanese companies using this work model, they have a strange obsession with silly DLC. I think DOA Last Round has 900 DLCs.

      Hitman can get in the sea with a swim cap.

      Reply

    • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

      April 7, 2016 at 12:08

      You have your pricing model wrong, it’s $1 for every minute played after loading the title screen, for every piece of loot you pick up, you have to pay 50c and for every attack 25c, if you die, you have to pay $5 to respawn, oh and at first the game will only be produced with a DEATH TO ALL THE PLAYERS mode before unlocking normal and then easy difficulty….

      Reply

  13. Shan

    April 7, 2016 at 11:27

    #JustAskGaben
    #VolvoFTW
    #GiffSvenSkin

    Reply

  14. miaau

    April 7, 2016 at 12:14

    Horse Armour or the like I would never purchase. I do, however, purchase content and story DLC from certain providers.

    I think that deserves some money, effort went into creating the story based DLC, coding was done to make it fit into the rest of the game. For example, the Mass Effect 2 DLC had small changes to various areas of the game. That was worth the money I paid.

    That said, I normally like to buy the GOTY or some other bundle, as buying day 1 DLC does not make sense to me.

    In summary: Cosmetic or weapons only, no. Story based, yes, I see the effort went into that and therefore has value to me.

    Reply

  15. Ryanza

    April 7, 2016 at 12:39

    When a video game is released, story arcs, side missions, weapon items, clothing items, frame rate option, maps, are turned into DLC to make a $60 game into a $200 game. They even selling nothing as DLC it’s called Season Pass. Six months later, GOTY edition, full game for $60. That’s the model. We need to stop buying video games, day 1 releases.

    Reply

  16. Gr8_Balls_o_Fire

    April 7, 2016 at 13:05

    What is this DLC you speak of?

    Reply

  17. Strawman Jim

    April 7, 2016 at 14:26

    We’re well past the point of no return….

    https://media2.giphy.com/media/OMR3g2OxlRJ16/200_s.gif

    Reply

  18. Victor Moolman

    April 8, 2016 at 07:28

    Cosmetic DLC is pretty awesome, it doesn’t affect gameplay and you don’t miss out on any game experiences because you don’t have it. The largest problem that most have with DLC is when it becomes pay to win or the main story was obviously cut short just do the dev can sell it as DLC…..like Forza does by not including all the cars and then making them available as DLC -_-

    Though the general view of DLC has changed over the years, nice article Zoe

    Reply

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