Microsoft is going back on its plans to raise the prices of its first Xbox party games to $80 for later this year. The company confirmed on Wednesday that it will be cutting the prices of The Outer Worlds 2 and other “full priced holiday releases” back to $70.
Those who already paid $80 for The Outer Worlds 2 will have to get refunds from their point of purchase. After that, you’ll then be able to pre-order the game again for the new $70 price.
In a statement to Windows Central, the company says the decision comes in order to “line with current market conditions”.
“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,” an Xbox spokesperson told the outlet.
Microsoft first announced that it would raise the price of its first-party Xbox games back in May. At the time of the announcement, the company said the decision to raise prices on games and hardware was done “with careful consideration given to market conditions and the rising cost of development.”
Hardware and accessory prices haven’t been changed from the prior price increase.
Of the price cut, The Outer Worlds 2 developer Obsidian released its own statement.
“We have received your SOS via skip drone about the pricing,” they said. “As an organization devoted to making sure that corporations do not go unfettered, we at the Earth Directorate have worked with [REDACTED] to revise the price of The Outer Worlds 2.”
The Outer Worlds 2 launches on October 29, 2025 for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. The game will also be available day one on Xbox Game Pass.
What do you think of Xbox lowering its game prices back to $70 from $80? Do you think this is a long-term change? Let us know down below, and take the discussion further in the Insider Gaming forums.
For more Insider Gaming, read about the Nintendo Switch 2 selling 1.6M units in the United States in June. And don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Mike has been covering the gaming industry since 2012, and has reported on some of the largest events in the industry while also working as an investigative reporter. Outside of…
More from Mike Straw
Flop!