Microsoft tried to push past the $70 price ceiling for new games, but it didn’t go to plan.
Earlier this year, Xbox announced a price hike for its first-party titles. Starting in the 2025 holiday season, select new releases would cost $79.99.
The first game affected was The Outer Worlds 2, which became the poster child for this shift. Microsoft cited rising development costs and market pressures as the reason, echoing Nintendo’s move to charge $80 for Switch 2 exclusives. Game Pass prices stayed the same, but full-price titles were set to climb higher.
The response from players was immediate. The Outer Worlds 2’s $80 pre-order price sparked strong criticism across forums and social media. Xbox listened. The result was a quiet but clear reversal.
Obsidian leads rollback as Microsoft responds to feedback
On July 23, Obsidian Entertainment announced that The Outer Worlds 2 would now retail for $69.99.
The statement followed sustained fan backlash and concerns about pricing fairness for a sequel, no matter how ambitious. Microsoft confirmed the decision and promised automatic refunds for those who pre-ordered at $80.
In a follow-up message, Xbox said, “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.”
This reversal signals more than just a one-game exception. It reflects growing pushback against the idea of $80 becoming a new industry standard.
Recent success stories have only strengthened that resistance. Elden Ring: Nightreign launched in May at $40 and became June’s best-selling game, outpacing the $80 debut of Mario Kart World. Games like Stellar Blade and PEAK also climbed charts without exceeding the $70 threshold.
Even Borderlands 4 adjusted course ahead of release. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford previously said real fans would pay $80. Weeks later, the studio confirmed the game would release at $70 instead, in line with broader trends.
Elden Ring’s $40 spinoff outsold Nintendo’s big Switch 2 launch game in June