Xbox and Microsoft cave, dropping the $80 price on The Outer Worlds 2 and possibly future titles as well

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Today, it appears that Xbox and Microsoft have decided to adjust the price of their upcoming game, The Outer Worlds 2, from $80 to a more standard $70. This news was shared via the official social media page for The Outer Worlds, indicating that the upcoming sci-fi RPG by Obsidian will now fall in line with most other games’ price points. It’s worth noting that not many games have ventured into the $80 territory thus far, but with Nintendo leading the charge on this front, it seems that fans of Mario Kart World and potential upgraded versions of games like Super Mario Party Jamboree or Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom might also be looking at a total cost of $80. However, supporters of The Outer Worlds can breathe a sigh of relief as they won’t have to pay quite as much.

The Outer Worlds won’t cost players $80 after all, Microsoft and Xbox have backed down

The official account for the game “The Outer Worlds” has posted some amusing memes about a price reduction, making light of their own actions. The original post features an image showing the original price crossed out and replaced with the new one, while the game’s moon-headed mascot appears blissfully unaware. The caption reads: “As an organization committed to keeping corporations in check, we at the Earth Directorate have collaborated with [REDACTED] to adjust the price of ‘The Outer Worlds 2.'” The “[REDACTED]” part is likely a reference to their parent company Microsoft, although they are trying to keep up the character.

The specifics behind the decision are scant, but a playful comment from a social media post hints at community input: “We’ve received your SOS via drone about the pricing…” This suggests that The Outer Worlds 2, due for release on October 29th, 2025, may have had lower-than-anticipated pre-orders during its first month and a half.

According to a representative from Xbox, their main goal is to provide players with stunning gaming environments, and they plan to maintain the full-priced holiday releases such as “The Outer Worlds 2” at $69.99 – a price consistent with current industry trends. However, this decision suggests that Xbox may be reconsidering their plans to raise prices for other games during the holiday season as well. For now, this seems like a positive move, but it appears to be a temporary adjustment rather than a permanent change in strategy. It’s possible that they acted prematurely or chose the wrong game initially.

Feedback on social media has been quite moderate, leaning towards dissatisfaction. Many users are expressing that the price reduction by $10 is insufficient, showing signs of disappointment and frustration. However, there are some enthusiasts who appreciate the change, thanking The Outer Worlds for it. Nevertheless, it appears that the initial cost has left a bitter taste in people’s minds.

The Outer Worlds 2 can be played on Xbox Game Pass, offering a way for some players to skip the big upfront cost. However, it remains to be seen how this change impacts ongoing pre-orders and the game’s launch in October. If you’ve already pre-ordered the game, Microsoft is providing refunds at the point of purchase starting today with certain retailers, with more locations expected to follow soon, as reported by Windows Central. To enjoy the new pricing, you’ll need to re-pre-order the game.

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2025-07-24 02:32