Microsoft concedes that ‘The Outer Worlds 2’ retail price was too high — Xbox says it “will keep our full priced holiday releases at $69.99,” with refunds incoming

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In the course of life, there are three constants: death, taxes, and typically, rising prices; however, on this rare occasion, let’s hope for an exception regarding the latter.

Recently, Microsoft disclosed that the starting price for its Xbox games at retail would climb to an impressively high $80. This decision comes amidst a challenging period for both consumers and businesses due to escalating costs. Factors contributing to this instability include trade disputes affecting supply chains and inflation caused by Covid-19 quantitative easing policies. Over the past few years, the market has been volatile for multiple reasons.

In response, numerous businesses have adjusted their prices to different extents. For instance, Microsoft and Sony increased the cost of their Xbox and PlayStation hardware packages over the last couple of years, and there was a brief period where it seemed like the sector might increase the base price of its primary games to $80. This trend started with Nintendo’s Mario Kart World being priced at $79.99 in stores, and there was speculation about whether Borderlands 4 would also reach $79.99; however, it ultimately sold for $69.99 instead.

Initially, Microsoft had plans to set the price of its forthcoming Xbox games at $79.99, with The Outer Worlds 2 being the first to adopt this pricing strategy. However, as of now, that plan has been altered.

Through their Xbox social platforms, it’s been disclosed that Microsoft and Obsidian have decided to adjust the price of The Outer Worlds 2 from its initial $79.99 at launch, instead opting for the standard industry cost of $69.99 upon release.

An Xbox representative stated that their goal is to offer players immersive realms to discover, and they plan to maintain the regular price of $69.99 for holiday releases like The Outer Worlds 2, aligning with present market trends.

If you’ve previously placed a pre-order for The Outer Worlds 2 at the price of $79.99, you’ll need to request a refund from your place of purchase if you’ve already made the payment. Some retailers are expected to begin processing refunds today, while others will start tomorrow. After securing your refund, you can then re-order at the new price tier of $69.99.

Absolutely the right call

From an onlooker’s perspective, The Outer Worlds 2 certainly appears visually appealing. However, considering that many gamers are grappling with escalating expenses in other areas, and are inclined towards free-to-play games as a way to manage these rising costs, shelling out $79.99 might have been a challenging proposition for some.

Critics might argue that the $79.99 price point was strategically set to entice consumers towards Xbox Game Pass, offering a substantial cost-saving opportunity for those eager to play Obsidian’s latest sci-fi masterpiece. However, doubts have been raised about the sustainability of Xbox Game Pass as a business model, given concerns over its potential impact on sales metrics from internal studios.

Regardless, this represents an uncommon victory for consumers, as prices generally continue to rise without pause in today’s world. I can’t help but speculate that Microsoft may have performed some sort of analysis predicting the sales impact of $79.99 on Call of Duty Black Ops 7, and found the results less than favorable…

I’m beyond excited to share that as a fan, I’ll be diving back into the wonders of The Outer Worlds 2 on October 29, 2025! This epic adventure will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS5. Plus, it’ll also grace the screens of Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming subscribers. Countdown begins!

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2025-07-23 17:09