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[Topher]

"You'd have to honestly talk to the Xbox folks" about the price, Brandon Adler says

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In the span of just a few months, $80 games have gone from an all-new idea that nobody liked to a reality that more and more of us would have to deal with, with The Outer Worlds 2 now the first Xbox-published game confirmed to boast the heftier price tag. However, the RPG's director has reiterated that the developers "don't set the prices" for their games.

Following on from the Switch 2 and its $80 launch title Mario Kart World, Xbox confirmed in a recent price hike that some of its own "new, first-party games starting this holiday season" would cost the same. The Outer Worlds 2 is our first confirmed example of this, with pre-orders now open ahead of Obsidian's latest RPG launching on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on October 29 (not what I'd have called the "holiday season," but anyway).

Asked about the ongoing $80 price conversations in an interview at Summer Game Fest, attended by GamesRadar+, The Outer Worlds 2 director Brandon Adler reiterates that it's ultimately not a decision made by the people making the game. "We're a game developer. We love to make games. We don't set the prices for our games," he begins.

"Like, personally, as a game developer, I wish everybody could play my game, because that's what I want out of this whole thing. But for the reasons and so like, why the $79.99 price point, you'd have to honestly talk to the Xbox folks," he continues, avoiding touching on his "own personal feelings" during the interview.

The Outer Worlds 2 likely won't be the only game to hit $80 this year and beyond, but one thing is for sure, fans really don't want Borderlands 4 to be one of them. Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford has been facing a lot of backlash lately after suggesting that "a real fan" would "find a way to make it happen," even if the upcoming looter shooter did cost $80 – something that's not actually been confirmed, it's worth noting.

As The Outer Worlds 2 hits $80, director says "we don't set the prices for our games" and wishes "everybody could play" Obsidian's new RPG

"You'd have to honestly talk to the Xbox folks" about the price, Brandon Adler says

www.gamesradar.com

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[FoxMcChief]

Seems like a cop out statement. I'm sure most devs would like their games to be lower priced. But that isn't up to them. Never has, never will, as long as they answer to a publisher.

 

[Topher]

Seems like a cop out statement. I'm sure most devs would like their games to be lower priced. But that isn't up to them. Never has, never will, as long as they answer to a publisher.

Isn't that what he is saying though? Talk to the publisher. AKA Xbox.

 

[FoxMcChief]

Isn't that what he is saying though? Talk to the publisher. AKA Xbox.

Oh, I was supposed to read more that the thread title?

 

[SomeNorseGuy]

"But for the reasons and so like, why the $79.99 price point, you'd have to honestly talk to the Xbox folks"

 

[bender]

I've seen worse statements.

 

[reinking]

"You'd have to honestly talk to the Xbox folks" about the price, Brandon Adler says

---

In the span of just a few months, $80 games have gone from an all-new idea that nobody liked to a reality that more and more of us would have to deal with, with The Outer Worlds 2 now the first Xbox-published game confirmed to boast the heftier price tag. However, the RPG's director has reiterated that the developers "don't set the prices" for their games.

Following on from the Switch 2 and its $80 launch title Mario Kart World, Xbox confirmed in a recent price hike that some of its own "new, first-party games starting this holiday season" would cost the same. The Outer Worlds 2 is our first confirmed example of this, with pre-orders now open ahead of Obsidian's latest RPG launching on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on October 29 (not what I'd have called the "holiday season," but anyway).

Asked about the ongoing $80 price conversations in an interview at Summer Game Fest, attended by GamesRadar+, The Outer Worlds 2 director Brandon Adler reiterates that it's ultimately not a decision made by the people making the game. "We're a game developer. We love to make games. We don't set the prices for our games," he begins.

"Like, personally, as a game developer, I wish everybody could play my game, because that's what I want out of this whole thing. But for the reasons and so like, why the $79.99 price point, you'd have to honestly talk to the Xbox folks," he continues, avoiding touching on his "own personal feelings" during the interview.

The Outer Worlds 2 likely won't be the only game to hit $80 this year and beyond, but one thing is for sure, fans really don't want Borderlands 4 to be one of them. Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford has been facing a lot of backlash lately after suggesting that "a real fan" would "find a way to make it happen," even if the upcoming looter shooter did cost $80 – something that's not actually been confirmed, it's worth noting.

As The Outer Worlds 2 hits $80, director says "we don't set the prices for our games" and wishes "everybody could play" Obsidian's new RPG

"You'd have to honestly talk to the Xbox folks" about the price, Brandon Adler says

www.gamesradar.com

---

 

[SomeNorseGuy]

Even if this new $80 pricetag has come to stay, it's going to claim a lot of bodies before it becomes normalised.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

I mean the game likely bombs at 80.

You're counting on a less than 13% drop off in sales, which it simply isn't going to do and they know that, but they want to set the stage here for a game they don't really care all that much about.

They're also looking to help generate more revenue from B2P sales on PS5 given the 30% royalties.

They're also looking to signal to other publishers to do the same.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

is someone gonna ask Phil or Booty-hole about it, especially when this game scream $50?

 

[yet_another_alt]

Eh, they're not expecting it to sell, they're hoping to push people to gamepass by emphasizing that $80 games are included in the sub.

 

[roosnam1980]

phil spencer revealing $80 price tag..........................

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

I mean the game likely bombs at 80.

You're counting on a less than 13% drop off in sales, which it simply isn't going to do and they know that, but they want to set the stage here for a game they don't really care all that much about.

They're also looking to help generate more revenue from B2P sales on PS5 given the 30% royalties.

They're also looking to signal to other publishers to do the same.

i mean, MS took the Nintendo signal and run with it.

The mega flop of Doom DA should've given pause at this absurd strategy.

regarding other publishers (in relations to MS) this will increase Game Pass's cost overall.

i think Xbox is just really this desperate to make more money, they need to make more money ASAP.

 

[Zannegan]

Seems like a cop out statement. I'm sure most devs would like their games to be lower priced. But that isn't up to them. Never has, never will, as long as they answer to a publisher.

He's trying to kearn from Pitchford's mistakes.

 

[FinalBossWithTheMostPower]

 

[Sebastian1295]

If this game wasn't releasing into gamepass day 1 on pc and xbox then maybe it'd have more of a chance at that price 'doubt it but just saying' but this game is going to bomb on launch. It's going to tank and lose money because even doom the dark ages tanked and that has more brand recognition than the outer worlds does.

 

[bitbydeath]

 

[demigod]

Don't worry, this game will hit $20 for Black Friday.

 

[ReBurn]

I was going to wait for a sale when it was assumed to be $70. Still going to be waiting for a sale now that it's $80. Doesn't make much difference to me that they raised the price. I'm not paying more than $40 either way.

 

[Magic Carpet]

Xbox will respond with a 15 day Gamepass trial.

 

[Arsic]

Basically even he doesn't think $80 is a good idea but he can't talk shit to the folks writing checks to help his studio keep making games.

It is what it is.

I'll pick it up on sale if it reviews well.

 

[Heisenberg007]

They know MS has fucked them with this pricing decision.

Obsidian makes AA games, not AAA games. Yet they are charging AAAA price for Outer Worlds 2. It'll bomb so hard, and then Microsoft will look into ROI and start firing people.

I wonder where are all those people who were cheering when Microsoft was acquiring Obsidian.

 

[FrankWza]

Eh, they're not expecting it to sell, they're hoping to push people to gamepass by emphasizing that $80 games are included in the sub.

Its definitely possible this is their strategy. But you need exclusivity to makenit work

 

[Gamer79]

For $80 I will not. I will get it on a discount cheap cd key

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Its definitely possible this is their strategy. But you need exclusivity to makenit work

It is $10 exclusively on gamepass.

Anywhere else you will be playing $80.

 

[AJUMP23]

Did he mention true fans finding a way. If not then he's good.

 

[Codes 208]

Xbox does what Nintendoes

But usually worse
(I can at least find the value in MKW, the first TOW wasnt worth $60, let alone $80

 

[FoxMcChief]

Who cares about sales when there's engagement.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

Dont count on me

 

[EviLore]

I'd pay $80 for Miyazaki's next mainline Souls title, or for TW4, GTA6, Larian's next game, the next Zelda. The absolute best of the best.

I wouldn't pay $10 for The Outer Worlds 2. Delusional.

 

[MagusMajul]

so why didnt xbox demand that stellar blade on steam was 70 or 80 dollars?

 

[I collect VHS tapes]

doubt I would play this if it wasn't coming to Gamepass

or at least wait for reviews

I love obsidian but outer worlds was a fucking slog to finish

 

[FrankWza]

It is $10 exclusively on gamepass.

Anywhere else you will be playing $80.

And no one will buy it. It has to be exclusively available and it's too late for that so gp prices will go up more often and closer together. But to be fair, theyd go up with exclusives anyway.

 

[FrankWza]

so why didnt xbox demand that stellar blade on steam was 70 or 80 dollars?

 

[adamsapple]

so why didnt xbox demand that stellar blade on steam was 70 or 80 dollars?