Outer Worlds 2 Becomes Xbox’s First $80 Game
▼ Summary
– Xbox’s Summer Game Fest showcased major announcements, including a new Call of Duty trailer and the reveal of an Xbox handheld PC device.
– The Outer Worlds 2 was announced with an $80 price tag, marking the first Xbox game at this higher price point.
– Xbox confirmed plans in May to raise prices on hardware, accessories, and select first-party games to $80 by the holidays.
– The price increases are linked to President Trump’s tariffs, with U.S. consumers facing steeper hikes than other regions.
– Nintendo previously set an $80 precedent with Mario Kart World, signaling a broader industry trend toward higher game prices.
The Xbox Summer Game Fest delivered major announcements, including the reveal of The Outer Worlds 2 as the platform’s first $80 game. The showcase featured everything from a new Call of Duty trailer to Xbox’s upcoming handheld PC, but the pricing of Obsidian’s highly anticipated RPG sequel quickly became the biggest talking point.
Following an impressive story trailer, pre-orders for The Outer Worlds 2 went live, confirming the $80 price tag. While the reaction has been largely negative, the increase was expected. Microsoft had already signaled plans to raise prices for first-party games ahead of the holiday season, shifting from $70 to $80. This makes The Outer Worlds 2 the first title to reflect the new pricing structure.
The decision follows Xbox’s broader strategy of adjusting costs across hardware and accessories, likely influenced by economic factors like tariffs and production expenses. Though the price hike affects global markets, the impact is more pronounced in the U.S. Microsoft hasn’t provided detailed reasoning, but industry trends suggest this could become the new norm.
Xbox isn’t alone in testing higher price points. Nintendo set a precedent with Mario Kart World on the Switch 2, priced at $80, and rumors suggest GTA 6 could follow suit when it launches in 2026. Gamers only recently adjusted to $70 titles, but with major publishers pushing boundaries, $80 games may soon become standard.
As development costs rise and inflation persists, the gaming industry continues to adapt, often at the expense of players’ wallets. Whether fans embrace this shift or push back remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: premium gaming experiences now come with a premium price.
(Source: Kotaku)
