Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Xbox just reversed their $80 pricing for The Outer Worlds 2 - dropping it to $70 after pre-orders tanked. Microsoft blamed "current market conditions" but we know the truth: consumer backlash worked. Even EA is retreating from price hikes. The $80 standard is dead before it began.
Today: Why Xbox blinked first and which publishers are running scared.
00:00 Xbox Just Blinked
00:22 Devs Probably Hated It
01:51 The Emergency Reversal
04:09 Pre-Orders Tanked
08:30 When $80 Isn't $80
11:52 What Happens Next
Sources:
windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-reveals-global-xbox-price-increases-for-consoles-accessories-and-even-games
gamesradar.com/games/rpg/as-the-outer-worlds-2-hits-usd80-director-says-we-dont-set-the-prices-for-our-games-and-wishes-everybody-could-play-obsidians-new-rpg
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:h4x5o4kfgwgqm4enepisxtid/post/3lun6okl2us2q?ref_src=embed
windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-concedes-that-the-outer-worlds-2-retail-price-was-too-high
https://bellular.games/loading-screen-the-xbox-game-pass-conundrum/
https://bsky.app/profile/matpiscatella.bsky.social/post/3lun37kly4s2k
ign.com/articles/saber-interactive-ceo-pulls-back-the-curtain-on-joining-and-leaving-embracer
https://bsky.app/profile/matpiscatella.bsky.social/post/3lun37olj6k2k
matthewball.co/all/stateofvideogaming2025
Xbox just reversed their $80 pricing for The Outer Worlds 2 - dropping it to $70 after pre-orders tanked. Microsoft blamed "current market conditions" but we know the truth: consumer backlash worked. Even EA is retreating from price hikes. The $80 standard is dead before it began.
Today: Why Xbox blinked first and which publishers are running scared.
00:00 Xbox Just Blinked
00:22 Devs Probably Hated It
01:51 The Emergency Reversal
04:09 Pre-Orders Tanked
08:30 When $80 Isn't $80
11:52 What Happens Next
Sources:
windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-reveals-global-xbox-price-increases-for-consoles-accessories-and-even-games
gamesradar.com/games/rpg/as-the-outer-worlds-2-hits-usd80-director-says-we-dont-set-the-prices-for-our-games-and-wishes-everybody-could-play-obsidians-new-rpg
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:h4x5o4kfgwgqm4enepisxtid/post/3lun6okl2us2q?ref_src=embed
windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-concedes-that-the-outer-worlds-2-retail-price-was-too-high
https://bellular.games/loading-screen-the-xbox-game-pass-conundrum/
https://bsky.app/profile/matpiscatella.bsky.social/post/3lun37kly4s2k
ign.com/articles/saber-interactive-ceo-pulls-back-the-curtain-on-joining-and-leaving-embracer
https://bsky.app/profile/matpiscatella.bsky.social/post/3lun37olj6k2k
matthewball.co/all/stateofvideogaming2025
