Xbox has backed down on its plan to raise the price of the game to $80 USD and returned it to $69.99 USD after intense complaints from the gaming community.
This decision is a big win for consumers. It was originally announced in May 2025 that the price of major games, including The Outer Worlds 2, would increase to $80 USD. Many gamers disagreed, saying that it wasn't right for the RPG made by Obsidian Entertainment. This follows Nintendo's move to release Mario Kart World at the same price for the Switch 2.
After backlash and low pre-order numbers, Xbox has decided to return the price to $69.99 USD. According to Microsoft, those who pre-ordered at $80 will get a refund. The rollback also includes other big holiday releases in 2025. In their statement, the company said: “We understand that this change is difficult, but we will continue to provide value for Xbox players.”
This incident shows the power of consumer feedback in the gaming industry. While the cost of making games has increased, Xbox has been forced to listen to fans. This could force other publishers like Sony to rethink their pricing strategy.
