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The Outer Worlds 2 Price U‑Turn: $80 to $70 After Fan Backlash

Outer Worlds 2 Price Cut 2025
Outer Worlds 2 Price Cut 2025

Microsoft and Obsidian Entertainment have officially reversed the controversial pricing of their upcoming RPG, The Outer Worlds 2, slashing its launch price from $79.99 to $69.99 across all platforms: Xbox, PlayStation 5, and PC.

What Just Happened?

  • Initial $80 price: The game was set to be Xbox’s first first-party title at $79.99 a response to rising development costs, inflation, and recent price hikes in hardware and other AAA titles.
  • Backlash ensued: Gamers reacted negatively, with online forums and social platforms blaming Microsoft while defending Obsidian.
  • Developer speaks up: Obsidian’s director, Brandon Adler, clarified that pricing decisions came from Microsoft, saying, “We don’t set the prices for our games.. you’d have to talk to the Xbox folks”.
  • MS backtracks: Responding to feedback, Microsoft, in coordination with Obsidian, adjusted the price to $69.99 and initiated refunds for early pre-orders.

Why the Pullback Matters

  • Consumer trust: Landing at $70 keeps the game in line with industry expectations and calms consumer concerns.
  • Game Pass strategy: The reversal suggests Microsoft is fine-tuning pricing to support subscriptions, not just revenue per sale.
  • Developer deflection: Obsidian retains credibility by distancing itself from corporate pricing while reaffirming its creative integrity.
  • Industry impact: The rollback sets a precedent signaling that publishers might think twice before pushing full-scale $80 launches.

Quick Facts at a Glance

DetailInfo
Launch PriceNow $69.99 (was $79.99)
Release DateOctober 29, 2025
PlatformsXbox Series X
RefundsAutomatic for all pre-orders
Game PassIncluded on Day One

Final Thoughts

Microsoft’s decision to roll back the price of The Outer Worlds 2 from $80 to $70 marks a rare but promising example of corporate responsiveness to fan feedback. Obsidian gains respect by clarifying its role, reinforcing that creative studios aren’t at fault for pricing. For gamers, it’s a welcome reset balancing affordability with ambition. As Outer Worlds 2 lands on October 29 across platforms, all eyes will be on how this pricing shift influences Game Pass strategy and future AAA release costs.

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