This featured the freshest insane pricing policy change by Microsoft for The Outer Worlds 2 and other first-party titles during the festive season. First, they wanted to put it up there at 80 bucks, but then they backpedaled to the regular pricing of $70. And gamers, well, they needed to speak their minds on the whole thing.
So what happened next? Well, the announcement was that premium first-party games would be charged at $80. Instant backlash, needless to say. Being one of the huge upcoming releases, The Outer Worlds 2 got caught in the middle. After disappointingly low pre-order numbers and a flood of complaints, the announcement was rescinded.
What was the reaction online? Relief, skepticism, and roasting. The game has been dubbed as: @the_goodsenator “a $60 experience at best,” while others are saying it’s still “about $40 too expensive.” Ouch! @FLASHGLADDING also chimed that Microsoft “dodged a bullet” because forcing an $80 tag would have just pushed people to wait for discounts.
But some still believe this was a planned marketing stunt from the start. @Redot_Engine calls it “a marketing tool,” suggesting that Microsoft never really planned to charge $80 and just wanted the media frenzy instead. True or not, the backlash was sufficient to force Microsoft to retreat.
Anyway, with GamePass on board: @elden_man just drops the game is “12 bucks on GamePass PC,” making the whole $70/$80 pricing war moot if one’s already subscribed. For those keen on buying games, though, it is still a punch in the gut.
And then comes the Obsidian half. Some players, like @Jaramide, are not getting behind the studio’s latest, calling the original “underwhelming” as they foresee a “woke disaster” awaiting this sequel. Harsh? Sure. But it shows price isn’t the only concern The Outer Worlds 2 has to get past.
So where does this leave us? Microsoft blinked; the gamers got a (small) win, and now comes the typical $70 price argument. Which, with GamePass muddling waters and players sinking into suspicion, only goes to show that this is far from over.
One thing that’s for sure is that when Microsoft goes at it again, this time the backlash will be tenfold. So, lowering the price wouldn’t even be enough to put this mess to bed.
