The $80 AAA game era may not be upon us just yet, at least not if Xbox has anything to say about it. Microsoft has confirmed that its upcoming RPG sequel, The Outer Worlds 2, will be priced at the now-standard $69.99 when it launches, rather than the previously listed $79.99. This announcement appears to mark a broader commitment from Xbox to hold onto the current price ceiling for its biggest releases, heading into the year-end holiday rush.
Keeping things ‘in line with market conditions’
In a statement provided to IGN, Xbox clarified its decision to adjust the price of The Outer Worlds 2 downward, saying: “We’re focused on bringing players incredible worlds to explore, and will keep our full priced holiday releases, including The Outer Worlds 2, at $69.99 – in line with current market conditions.”
Anyone who pre-ordered the game at $79.99 will receive a refund shortly, Xbox confirmed.
Obsidian, the studio behind the game, responded with classic tongue-in-cheek humour on social media. “We have received your SOS via skip drone about the pricing,” the tongue-in-cheek post read. “As an organization devoted to making sure that corporations do not go unfettered, we at the Earth Directorate have worked with [REDACTED] to revise the price of The Outer Worlds 2.”
Status check: The $80 game trend
So far, only one major game has officially dropped at the $80 price point: Mario Kart World on the Switch 2. Most other big releases, even amid rising production costs, have held steady at $70. But with reports of developers facing increased expenses across the board, it’s been widely expected that a shift to $80 might be inevitable.
At Summer Game Fest, Brandon Adler, director on The Outer Worlds 2, commented on the game’s initial $79.99 tag saying, “We don’t set the prices for our games,” and added that for the reasoning behind the higher price, “you’d have to honestly talk to the Xbox folks.” Well, it looks like Xbox has definitely listened, to both internal voices and the fans.
What about Call of Duty: Black Ops 7?
The other major Xbox-published title on the 2024 calendar is Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Though it hasn’t officially received a price tag yet, today’s announcement about The Outer Worlds 2 strongly suggests that COD won’t hit that controversial $80 mark either. Expect $70 to remain the ceiling … for now.
Whether this strategy is a long-term plan or a temporary pivot remains uncertain. Xbox’s phrasing — “in line with current market conditions” — leaves plenty of wiggle room for flexibility in the future. But in a landscape where pricing conversations continue to gain intensity, Xbox appears to be taking the path of least resistance, at least through the rest of 2024.
What does this mean for gamers?
For gamers already bracing for higher costs amid a flurry of AAA releases, this move is a small but meaningful win. It sends a clear message: at least one publisher isn’t quite ready to follow industry trendsetters into $80 territory without hearing from the people bankrolling those prices.
As we look ahead to 2025, especially with massive titles like GTA 6 looming, price points are going to remain a hot-button issue. If Microsoft’s holding firm at $70 while adding value through Game Pass and premium first-party exclusives, it could reinforce Xbox’s position with price-conscious players.
So, breathe easy if you were worried about shelling out 80 bucks for every new blockbuster this holiday season. Xbox seems to be pumping the brakes, for now.