Summary
- Xbox reversed its decision to price games at $80 USD, returning to $69.99 USD after backlash
- The change came after widespread criticism, impacting The Outer Worlds 2 and other holiday titles
- This move highlights consumer power, potentially influencing other publishers’ pricing strategies
In a notable turnaround for consumer support, Xbox has officially changed its mind about charging $80 USD for upcoming first-party games. This move comes after a massive outcry from the gaming community, and Microsoft announced today that their full-priced holiday releases, including the much-anticipated The Outer Worlds 2, will now be launched at $69.99 USD. This adjustment brings them in line with current market pricing trends.
In May 2025, Xbox revealed that their upcoming major games, including _The Outer Worlds 2_, would start selling at a price of $80. This announcement was met with swift and passionate backlash from gamers. Many players expressed disapproval towards the price hike, particularly for a game like _The Outer Worlds 2_, which is developed by Obsidian Entertainment and falls under the RPG genre. Some critics felt that this game might not warrant such a premium price tag, traditionally reserved for large-scale blockbusters. This decision by Xbox mirrors Nintendo’s recent move, having launched _Mario Kart World_ at $80 USD for the Switch 2.
Xbox’s quick change of strategy seems to be a direct reaction to consumer opinions. It appears that early pre-orders for The Outer Worlds 2 were lower than expected, which could suggest that consumers are hesitant to accept the new pricing model. Obsidian Entertainment, in response to the feedback, playfully posted on social media about adjusting the price after allegedly receiving “SOS signals” via “skip drones” from players – a humorous way of referring to player complaints.
Microsoft has announced that it will be issuing refunds to those who pre-ordered “The Outer Worlds 2” at $80 USD. Additionally, other major 2025 holiday releases from Xbox will now conform to the $69.99 USD standard in response. Earlier this year, Microsoft had decided to raise game prices for the holiday season. However, this move has not been well-received and Microsoft has since retracted it. In a recent statement, Microsoft explained, “We recognize that these changes have been difficult, and they were made after thorough analysis of market conditions and development costs. Moving forward, we remain committed to providing more gaming options across various platforms and ensuring value for Xbox players.
Some in the industry attribute increased costs during development as a reason for price increases, but Microsoft’s swift reversal highlights the impact of collective player opinions on corporate decisions. This situation now encourages other publishers, such as Sony, to reconsider their pricing tactics when faced with significant consumer resistance.
Good news to hear. Games should not be $80 dollars.
— Freeman_san (@Freeman_Sans) July 23, 2025
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2025-07-27 07:55