Bethesda's Horse Armor DLC: A Controversial Success

Despite backlash, the pioneering microtransaction for Oblivion sold millions, highlighting the complex relationship between gamers and downloadable content.

• Released in 2006, Oblivion's Horse Armor DLC was one of the first instances of console downloadable content, priced at $2.50.
• The DLC faced significant backlash from players who felt it was overpriced for its minimal content, yet it sold millions.
• Bethesda's Bruce Nesmith noted that the company was unprepared for the negative reaction, having underestimated the players' expectations.
• Despite criticism, the DLC's success demonstrated the potential profitability of microtransactions in the gaming industry.
• Nesmith highlighted that the gaming landscape has evolved, with cosmetic DLCs becoming more accepted, especially in online gaming environments.

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