Summary
During its specialXboxevent, Microsoft confirmed that one of its upcoming first party titles will also see an increased retail price at launch. It was a big day for Microsoft as its Summer showcase gave fans a lot to get excited about, including deep dives into upcoming Obsidian Entertainment games likeGrounded 2andThe Outer Worlds 2.
However, part of the announcements yesterday highlighted a growing trend within the industry. Nintendo raised plenty of eyebrows from fans when it confirmed thatMario Kart Worldwould be launching at $80. Of all the companies to attempt this, it’s unlikely that many thought Nintendo would be the one to lead the charge, though it likely meant that other companies would now gladly follow. While rising prices were likely inevitable anyway, Microsoft has finally revealed its first game using the new retail value.
Following the Xbox Games Showcase, Obsidian Entertainment provided fans with a moredetailed look atThe Outer Worlds 2. Players saw new companions like Inez, learned about three factions that players can choose to join or battle against, as well as how the game world reacts to player choices. The reveal also confirmed thatThe Outer Worlds 2would be the first Xbox game to move to the new $79.99 price point as well, likely opening the door for future Microsoft Game Studio titles likeGears of War E-Day.
The Outer Worlds 2 Is Launching at $79.99
While Microsoft did confirmincreased prices for Xbox consoles and gamesback in May, the first game using these higher numbers, beingThe Outer Worlds 2, probably surprised many players. For those who are disappointed by the more expensive price point, the Sci-fi RPG sequel from Obsidian will be available on Game Pass at launch.Outer Worlds 2also has aPremium Editionset at $99.99, which comes with in-game items, a digital art book, and access to two future story expansions.
Most players assumeGrand Theft Auto 6will likely launch with a higher price tag, though there are still questions about how fast other companies will try to adapt to this standard. The upcoming shooterBorderlands 4is one such game, asGearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has caused controversyrecently over comments made online. While Pitchford has backtracked on his comments at this point and has stated he has no idea what the final price will be, he initially added fuel to the fire by stating that no matter the price, real fans would find a way to make it happen.
The Outer Worlds 2
WHERE TO PLAY
The Outer Worlds 2 is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the award-winning first-person sci-fi RPG from Obsidian Entertainment (just look at the exciting number of dashes in this sentence!). Time to clear your calendar – get ready for an action-packed adventure with a new crew, new weapons, and new enemies in a new colony! So much newness!As a daring and most likely good-looking Earth Directorate agent, you must uncover the source of devastating rifts threatening to destroy all of humanity. Your investigation leads to Arcadia, home of skip drive technology, where the fate of the colony, and ultimately the entire galaxy, rests on your decisions—your strengths, your flaws, your crew, and the factions you choose to trust.EXPLORE A NEW FRONTIERThe Arcadia colony is engulfed in a factional war, as the Protectorate’s so-called benevolent rule is challenged by the rebellion of their religious order and a corporate invasion. As destructive rifts spread across the colony, each faction fights to control or close them for their own ends. Navigate diverse zones, uncover hidden lore, and shape the fate of a system on the brink!YOUR COMMANDER, YOUR WAYBuild your character with the abilities and choices that reflect your playstyle. The colony reacts to your every move, crafting a narrative that’s yours to own—whether you’re a disciple of diplomacy, an astute strategist, a crusader for chaos, or something different altogether. And yes, you can dumb!ENLIST YOUR COMPANIONSRecruit companions with unique traits, backgrounds and goals. Whether you choose to help them achieve their ambitions or steer them toward your own objectives, your influence shapes their growth (or death), making them an integral part of the immersive story you create together.
