The $80 Game Era Is Already Falling Apart

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It didn’t take much time before the announcement of The Outer Worlds 2 being priced at $79.99 ignited a wave of criticism.

After Nintendo set Mario Kart World at $80, Microsoft decided to give it a shot.

As a gamer, I found myself in a different spot this time around. While Nintendo was all about their blockbuster game and complete console package, Microsoft opted for a less mainstream sequel with a devoted fanbase, a title that plenty of us were eagerly anticipating, thanks to our Game Pass subscriptions.

As a passionate gamer, it felt like a misstep to price a game not quite on par with Halo or Elden Ring at $80. This seemed particularly jarring since many of us were anticipating the standard industry price of $69.99 to hold firm.

What Was Obsidian’s Response to the Backlash?

Obsidian Entertainment, the team behind The Outer Worlds 2, has made it clear that they are not in charge of determining the game’s pricing.

Brandon Adler explicitly stated that Obsidian Entertainment didn’t set the game’s selling price and expressed a desire for everyone to have the opportunity to play it, which suggests his dissatisfaction with the price as well.

Some folks wondered why the game “The Outer Worlds,” categorized as an average-budget AA title, was priced at $80, similar to a premium AAA game.

As a dedicated gamer, I’m not one to jump into purchases without considering my wallet. The original version was a gem, but even die-hard fans like me are willing to bide our time for a discount or opt for the convenience of Game Pass.

Why Did Xbox Walk Back the $80 Plan So Fast?

The situation became critical when it appears that preorders failed to meet expectations across all platforms, such as PlayStation.

The turning point was reached as preorders allegedly underperformed on every platform, including PlayStation.

Or simply:
It got really bad when preorder numbers were reportedly low not just on regular platforms but also on the PlayStation.

Although there was much anticipation for the game’s unveiling, it was overshadowed by criticisms concerning its cost, even though it was available on Game Pass.

A significant number of people removed it from their desired items due to its appearance being less appealing compared to more contemporary RPGs such as Expedition 33 and the second edition of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, both of which are priced under sixty dollars and perceived as providing a superior value.

Additionally, it was noted by players that whereas Mario Kart World was priced at $80, games such as Donkey Kong Bananza fell within the range of $60 to $70 in cost.

What Did Xbox Say When They Backtracked?

Approximately two months following the announcement of a $80 price tag, Microsoft decided to rescind this fee in response to public outcry, stating they will no longer charge that amount for their upcoming holiday releases.

Immediately, Xbox reduced the price of The Outer Worlds 2 to $69.99, and they have also promised to issue refunds for those who had pre-ordered it at the original $80 cost.

Players responded positively to the decision, finding it a reflection of the impact and influence of their feedback and resistance.

It’s plausible that Microsoft viewed this action primarily as a public relations strategy after observing the data and realizing that the project wasn’t yielding the desired results.

Is Xbox Under Pressure From the Higher-Ups?

The circumstances additionally brought to light larger issues, since it appears that Microsoft is experiencing internal pressure to enhance the profitability of Xbox following significant investments in agreements such as the one with Activision Blizzard.

Since Azure and Office generate larger profits, Xbox is under greater examination due to this discrepancy. Some speculate that the $80 pricing test was aimed at inflating physical sales revenues or compelling customers further towards Game Pass, which offers Microsoft more control over earnings.

Regardless of the cause, the meaning was straightforward: the majority of gamers are unwilling or unable to spend $80 on a game that doesn’t initially resemble a major AAA production.

Did Xbox Accidentally Set a New Industry Boundary?

The fallout from Xbox’s short-lived pricing strategy is already rippling through the industry.

Instead of anticipating a higher price for Borderlands 4, the developers ultimately chose to maintain it at $69.99. Meanwhile, EA affirmed their decision to stick with the usual pricing level.

Currently, fans are keeping a close eye on Sony, speculating whether they might increase their prices by $80 or choose to remain stable for the time being.

In the face of rising inflation and increased production expenses, Xbox’s recent decision underscores the necessity for publishers to take into account player perception of worth along with their financial plans.

Ultimately, it wasn’t just a matter of the cost of a single game; it was also about determining the tolerance of gamers for expensive collector’s editions, microtransactions, and battle passes within an industry that often offers such features.

Increasing the base price to $80 would prove challenging, given that it lacks the renown of GTA 6 or Zelda. For the time being, Xbox is postponing this decision, but discussions about video game pricing continue.

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2025-07-24 12:43