Microsoft backtracks on $80 The Outer Worlds 2 pricing

There’s hope that the gaming trade will not observe Nintendo’s lead with $80 pricing. (Properly, a minimum of not but.) On Wednesday, Microsoft backtracked on the value improve for The Outer Worlds 2. The sport now prices $70, which itself was considered outrageous just a few years in the past.

Microsoft told Home windows Central that those that already pre-ordered Obsidian’s shooter at $80 can get refunds on the level of buy. Sadly, you possibly can’t merely get a $10 worth adjustment. You may need to refund the complete $80 after which pre-order once more for $70. I am starting to assume consumer-friendliness is not the precedence right here.

The $80 pricing push began with Mario Kart World. Feedback by Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford initially recommended Borderlands 4 might need adopted. Thankfully, 2K Video games noticed one thing within the backlash that made it balk; it is launching at $70. A Bluesky consumer summed it up in a reply to Obsidian’s U-turn. “Shopper advocacy on this terrible state of the trade WORKS,” ‪@johnbrebbia posted.

The gaming trade is caught in a godawful whirlwind of layoffs, studio closures and price increases. That is taking place towards a backdrop of rising costs for shoppers. In the meantime, the gaming trade is projected to achieve $189 billion this 12 months, a 3.4 % improve. That is a flamable combination if ever there was one.

Sarcastically, Obsidian’s sci-fi RPG offers with themes of late-stage capitalism. The developer even deployed in-world satire to announce the pricing change: “Pricey Galactic Residents! Now we have acquired your SOS by way of skip drone concerning the pricing…” Winking at one’s viewers is normally an excellent factor, however this strikes me as extra of a “dude, learn the room” second.

Regardless, The Outer Worlds 2 is ready to arrive on October 29. It will likely be accessible for Xbox Sequence X/S, PS5 and PC.