Microsoft backs down on $80 triple-A games

Microsoft has backed down from its plan to increase the base price of its first-party games to $80 for the 2025 holiday season. The company has confirmed that its upcoming titles, including The Outer Worlds 2, will be priced at the current $69.99 standard for new, heavily-promoted triple-A games. The decision comes amid a broader industry debate over game pricing, with some publishers, such as Nintendo, pushing for an $80 price tag for their big releases. However, Microsoft seems to have reconsidered this move, likely due to concerns about consumer backlash and the increasing focus on its Game Pass subscription service rather than traditional retail sales. The article notes that factors such as the economic climate, the growing popularity of lower-priced and free-to-play games, and the potential impact of a highly anticipated release like Grand Theft Auto VI may have influenced Microsoft's decision. The article also suggests that the pricing of The Outer Worlds 2, a game with themes critiquing unchecked capitalism, may be a subtle commentary on the industry's approach to game pricing.