Unleashing The Chaos: The Impact of Diablo 4's Horse Armor on Gaming

In today's gaming landscape, it's become almost expected for AAA titles to offer microtransactions, and Diablo 4 is no exception. From the start of the early access period, players have been able to purchase various cosmetic items from the in-game store. While these items don't provide any in-game benefits, their presence raises concerns about the direction of the franchise.

All of Diablo 4's microtransactions are purely cosmetic, but one in particular harkens back to the early days of microtransactions in gaming. Players can now purchase armor sets, weapon appearances, and even horse armor, which feels like a nod to the infamous horse armor DLC in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. It's a reminder of how far the industry has come, yet also a sign that some things never truly change.

Diablo 4's Horse Armor Explained

In Diablo 4, mounts are essential for navigating the vast game world and players are keen to enhance their horse's appearance. While initially believing that horse armor sets could be obtained during gameplay, it seems that the only way to acquire mount cosmetics is through the in-game store. This store offers a range of purchasable items that are updated weekly and can only be accessed by spending real money. The first batch of Diablo 4 horse armor bundles cost approximately 800 platinum each, which cannot be purchased directly. Instead, players are required to buy 1,000 platinum for $9.99, with some horse armor bundles costing over 1,000 platinum, which can only be obtained by purchasing two $9.99 platinum bundles or spending $24.99.

Players will need to pay more than $20 for a mount cosmetic, and spending over $50 will be required to acquire all of them. This means that the cost of the entire set of horse armor released this week will be only $20 less than that of Diablo 4 itself. Moreover, new horse armor will be released weekly, leading to further increase in expenses for players.

Diablo 4's Horse Armor is a Blast from Gaming's Past

There is a historical precedent for Diablo 4's horse armor, despite its extreme nature. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion offered purchasable horse armor as one of the earliest forms of microtransactions. This was well before the advent of loot boxes, mobile games, and in-game stores. For a mere $2.50, players could obtain a unique set of horse armor through a small DLC pack. Although the armor was not particularly attractive or fashionable, it was the only means of acquiring it. Although it was met with controversy at the time, it has since become a commonplace practice.

The trend of microtransactions in the gaming industry has come full circle with Diablo 4's horse armor, which may be pricier than its predecessor in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. Although microtransactions were initially limited to cheap cosmetics, they have since evolved into a major source of revenue, leading to significant backlash from players. Despite this, the concept of cosmetic armor no longer seems as outrageous, even if players are paying more for the same content. While Diablo 4's horse armor is one of the many cosmetics available for purchase, it can detract from the gameplay experience for fans who prefer not to participate. Though not pay-to-win, the $25 price tag for a cosmetic item may not be entirely appropriate, and Blizzard should reconsider their pricing model in the future.

Diablo 4 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.