Xbox backtracks on $80 price hike with big change to Outer Worlds 2 & more
Microsoft tried to push past the $70 price ceiling for new games, but it didn’t go to plan.
Earlier this year,Xbox announced a price hikefor its first-party titles. Starting in the 2025 holiday season, select new releases would cost $79.99.
The first game affected wasThe Outer Worlds 2, which became the poster child for this shift. Microsoft cited rising development costs and market pressures as the reason, echoing Nintendo’s move to charge $80 for Switch 2 exclusives. Game Pass prices stayed the same, but full-price titles were set to climb higher.
The response from players was immediate. The Outer Worlds 2’s $80 pre-order price sparked strong criticism across forums and social media. Xbox listened. The result was a quiet but clear reversal.
Obsidian leads rollback as Microsoft responds to feedback
On July 23, Obsidian Entertainment announced that The Outer Worlds 2 would now retail for $69.99.
Dear Galactic Citizens!⁰⁰We have received your SOS via skip drone about the pricing. As an organization devoted to making sure that corporations do not go unfettered, we at the Earth Directorate have worked with [REDACTED] to revise the price of The Outer Worlds 2. While this…pic.twitter.com/skOjxWBXIB
The statement followed sustained fan backlash and concerns about pricing fairness for a sequel, no matter how ambitious. Microsoft confirmed the decision and promised automatic refunds for those who pre-ordered at $80.
In a follow-up message, Xbox said, “We’re focused on bringing players incredible worlds to explore, and will keep our full priced holiday releases, including The Outer Worlds 2, at $69.99 – in line with current market conditions.”
This reversal signals more than just a one-game exception. It reflects growing pushback against the idea of $80 becoming a new industry standard.
Recent success stories have only strengthened that resistance.Elden Ring: Nightreignlaunched in May at $40 and became June’s best-selling game, outpacing the $80 debut ofMario Kart World. Games like Stellar Blade and PEAK also climbed charts without exceeding the $70 threshold.
Even Borderlands 4 adjusted course ahead of release. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford previously saidreal fans would pay $80. Weeks later, the studio confirmed the game wouldrelease at $70 instead, in line with broader trends.
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Despite its initial price, The Outer Worlds 2 is shaping up to be a standout. The new setting, Arcadia, features fully explorable planets, weather systems, new traversal mechanics, and satirical RPG choices. Combat is faster, third-person mode is in, and the weapons are more ridiculous than ever. You can check it all outhere.
