Good news for gamers! Microsoft has reversed its intended $79.99 price point on the long-awaited Xbox game, 'The Outer Worlds 2', saying it will now be priced at $69.99, and it's already providing refunds to customers who pre-ordered at the higher price, as per a report by Windows Central.

Microsoft Reverses $79.99 Price Tag After Backlash

The action comes as Microsoft followed an emerging trend of game publishers hiking the price of new titles to $80, a price that most gamers considered prohibitive amid increased living costs and economic instability, as per the report.

Microsoft and Sony both have increased the price of their Xbox and PlayStation hardware bundles since the last few years, and for a short while, it seemed like the industry was set to hike the base price of their mainline games to $80, as reported by Windows Central.

The trend to hike price of games had started with Nintendo's Mario Kart World being sold for $79.99 at retail, and then back and forth over whether Borderlands 4 would hit $79.99 as well, but it ended up being priced at $69.99, as reported by Windows Central.

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Microsoft Initially Justified Price Hike Over Costs

Earlier this month the firm had revealed that 'The Outer Worlds 2' would be Xbox's first $80 game, and at that time, Xbox justified the price increase on its biggest titles, saying that, "market conditions and the rising cost of development" as quoted in the ING report.

Xbox Now Says The Outer Worlds 2 Will Cost $69.99

However, Microsoft and Obsidian revealed across Xbox social channels on Wednesday that 'The Outer Worlds 2' will no longer be $79.99 at launch as it will go back to being priced at the current industry standard of $69.99, as per the Windows Central report.

An Xbox spokesperson explained in a statement to Windows Central that, "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," as quoted in the report.

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Refunds Are Now Underway for Pre-Orders

That also means, if a person has already pre-ordered 'The Outer Worlds 2' at the earlier price of $79.99, they will have to get refunds and Microsoft said that some retailers would start with refunds on Wednesday itself, but some will start accepting refunds from Thursday, as per the Windows Central report.

When Is The Outer Worlds 2 Releasing?

'The Outer Worlds 2' is set to launch on October 29, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS5, also for Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming, as reported by Windows Central.

Microsoft Raised Game Prices in 2023

While the original 'The Outer World' was priced at $60 during its launch, and a several fans had criticized the move especially because of the game's generally anti-capitalist themes and story, as reported by ING.

Xbox has increased the price of its first-party AAA games from $60 to $70 for the first time officially in 2023, according to the report by ING.

FAQs

What is the updated price of The Outer Worlds 2?
Microsoft has reduced the game’s launch price from $79.99 to $69.99, aligning it with the current industry standard, as per the Windows Central report.

What should customers do if they pre-ordered at $79.99?
Customers are eligible for a refund, they should contact the retailer where they pre-ordered to process the refund.