Microsoft backtracks on $80 The Outer Worlds 2 pricing<p>There's hope that the gaming industry won't follow Nintendo's lead with $80 pricing. (Well, at least not yet.) On Wednesday, Microsoft <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:1;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="
https://bsky.app/profile/obsidian.net/post/3lun6okl2us2q">backtracked[/url] on the price increase for <a data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-outer-worlds-2-gameplay-trailer-reveals-its-coming-to-ps5-as-well-as-xbox-022608769.html">
The Outer Worlds 2[/url]. The game now costs $70, which itself <a data-i13n="cpos:3;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/xbox-series-x-s-games-price-increase-starfield-redfall-forza-motorsport-191343275.html">was considered outrageous[/url] only a few years ago.</p>
<p>Microsoft <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:4;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="
https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-concedes-that-the-outer-worlds-2-retail-price-was-too-high">told[/url]
Windows Central that those who already pre-ordered Obsidian's shooter at $80 can get refunds at the point of purchase. Unfortunately, you can't simply get a $10 price adjustment. You'll have to refund the full $80 and then pre-order again for $70. I'm beginning to think consumer-friendliness isn't the priority here.</p>
<span id="end-legacy-contents"></span><p>The $80 pricing push <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/mario-kart-world-headed-to-switch-2-with-24-player-races-and-an-80-price-tag-134117599.html">began with
Mario Kart World[/url]. Comments by Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford initially suggested <a data-i13n="cpos:6;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/borderlands-4-is-launching-on-september-23-225358207.html">
Borderlands 4[/url] might have followed. Fortunately, 2K Games saw something in the backlash that made it balk; it's <a data-i13n="cpos:7;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/borderlands-4-will-not-cost-80-despite-misguided-executive-comments-205622443.html">launching at $70[/url]. A Bluesky user summed it up in a reply to Obsidian's U-turn. "Consumer advocacy in this awful state of the industry WORKS," @johnbrebbia <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:8;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="
https://bsky.app/profile/johnbrebbia.bsky.social/post/3luna3lssvs24">posted[/url].</p>
<figure><img src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-07/1edda4b0-67e1-11f0-bf75-e94af88eeb74" data-crop-orig-src="
https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-07/1edda4b0-67e1-11f0-bf75-e94af88eeb74" style="height:1077px;width:1914px;" alt="Nintendo Store listing for Mario Kart World, showing it's $79.99 price." data-uuid="0d98fc2b-f53d-3c13-9dbd-34022a530b4f"><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Nintendo</div></figure>
<p>The gaming industry is caught in a godawful whirlwind of <a data-i13n="cpos:9;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-gaming-division-suffers-further-layoffs-142430386.html">layoffs[/url], <a data-i13n="cpos:10;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-is-closing-the-studio-developing-the-perfect-dark-reboot-and-cancelling-the-game-182257902.html">studio closures[/url] and <a data-i13n="cpos:11;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/deals/microsoft-just-increased-all-xbox-prices-grab-one-before-the-hikes-go-into-effect-192628921.html">price increases[/url]. That's happening against a backdrop of <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:12;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-22/us-companies-and-consumers-are-paying-for-trump-s-tariffs">rising costs[/url] for consumers. Meanwhile, the gaming industry is <a data-i13n="elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:13;pos:1" class="no-affiliate-link" href="
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-22/us-companies-and-consumers-are-paying-for-trump-s-tariffs">projected[/url] to reach $189 billion this year, a 3.4 percent increase. That's a combustible mixture if ever there was one.</p>
<p>Ironically, Obsidian's sci-fi RPG deals with themes of late-stage capitalism. The developer even deployed in-world satire to announce the pricing change: "Dear Galactic Citizens! We have received your SOS via skip drone about the pricing..." Winking at one's audience is usually a good thing, but this strikes me as more of a "dude, read the room" moment.</p>
<p>Regardless,
The Outer Worlds 2 is set to <a data-i13n="cpos:14;pos:1" href="
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/the-outer-worlds-2-arrives-on-october-29-172540150.html?guccounter=1">arrive on October 29[/url]. It will be available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.</p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/microsoft-backtracks-on-80-the-outer-worlds-2-pricing-173027532.html?src=rssSource:
Microsoft backtracks on $80 The Outer Worlds 2 pricing
