In a nutshell

• Xbox has lowered The Outer Worlds 2’s launch price to $69.99, revising its initial $80 pricing to keep “in line with current market conditions.”
• Refunds will be issued to customers who pre-ordered at $80, though availability may vary depending on the storefront or platform.
• The original $80 price drew heavy criticism, fueled by comparisons to Mario Kart World and rumors around Borderlands 4, which ultimately launched at $70.

Xbox has announced that its holiday releases, including The Outer Worlds 2, will release at $69.99 to keep it “in line with current market conditions.”

The Outer Worlds 2 Price Details

According to a report from IGN, an Xbox spokesperson commented on the pricing changes, issuing a statement that the company is revising its original price of $79.99.

“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.”

Customers who pre-ordered The Outer Worlds 2 at the original $80 price point will be eligible for refunds or reimbursements through the platform or retailer where the purchase was made. According to Xbox, notifications regarding these refunds will be sent out by the respective storefronts. However, the processing time may vary, and some sellers could take a few days before the refunds become accessible.

The Outer Worlds 2 was initially announced at a contentious $80 price point, making it Xbox’s first game to reach that price point, with the company citing the rising cost of development.

The $80 price point has sparked backlash from many players, particularly following the launch of Mario Kart World alongside the release of the Switch 2, an event that seemed to pave the way for other publishers to adopt similar pricing strategies.

Among the titles speculated to join this trend was Borderlands 4, until Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford confirmed it would instead debut at $70.