Microsoft attempted to surpass the $70 price ceiling for new games, but it didn’t go as planned. Earlier this year, Xbox announced a price increase for its first-party titles, effective in the 2025 holiday season, with some new releases priced at $79.99. The Outer Worlds 2 was the first to carry this new $80 price tag, sparking an immediate and loud backlash from players.
Obsidian Entertainment, the developer behind The Outer Worlds 2, stepped up and announced on July 23 that the game would now retail for $69.99 instead. This decision followed fans’ vocal frustration on social media and forums, prompting Xbox to reconsider its move. Microsoft confirmed the rollback and promised automatic refunds for anyone who pre-ordered the game at the higher price.
Obsidian leads rollback as Microsoft responds to feedback
In a statement shared on Twitter, The Outer Worlds team joked about receiving an “SOS via skip drone” about the pricing and said they worked to revise the price. Xbox added, “We’re focused on bringing players great worlds to look at, and will keep our full-priced holiday releases, including The Outer Worlds 2, at $69.99 – in line with current market conditions.”
What’s interesting here is that this reversal might not be limited to just one game. It shows how players are pushing back against $80 becoming the new norm for game prices. Some recent hits like Elden Ring: Nightreign, which launched at $40, and other titles like Stellar Blade and PEAK have done well without crossing the $70 mark.
Even Borderlands 4, after initially suggesting an $80 price, switched back to $70 before release. Therefore, the industry may be under pressure to keep prices more reasonable for players.
Despite the initial price drama, The Outer Worlds 2 appears to be a standout. Set in the new world of Arcadia, it will feature fully explorable planets, dynamic weather, fresh traversal options, and the trademark satirical RPG choices. Combat will be faster, there’s a third-person mode, and the weapons promise to be more ridiculous than ever.
