The Outer Worlds 2 director tells gamers Obsidian doesn’t “set the prices” for its games as Xbox charges $80 for the upcoming RPG

Is it justified to spend $80 on The Outer Worlds 2 by Obsidian Entertainment, given that it appears to be a significantly enhanced RPG compared to its beloved forerunner? Is the price tag worthy?

In a move that appears to boost Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, Microsoft has priced Obsidian’s upcoming RPG at $80. However, following criticism from gamers on social media, the game’s director Brandon Adler clarified that the team did not determine the game’s pricing.

Obsidian didn’t decide The Outer Worlds 2 price 

Over the last week, The Outer Worlds 2, Xbox’s initial title priced at $80, has sparked quite a debate. This discussion arose shortly after Mario Kart World also set its price tag at $80, causing a stir online. Now, with another increase in game prices for new releases, many gamers find themselves displeased.

In an interview with GamesRadar, Adler clarified that it’s not Obsidian who sets the prices for their games. Instead, the pricing decisions are made by the Xbox Game Studios publishing team, not the individual developers working on the projects.

As a game creator, we take great joy in crafting exciting titles. However, it’s not up to us to decide the pricing of our games – that decision lies elsewhere. (Adler to the outlet)

As an enthusiastic gamer, I’m eagerly anticipating The Outer Worlds 2, and I was pleased to learn from the director that their aim is for everyone to have a chance to enjoy their hard work. While Xbox and PC gamers can potentially do so with a budget-friendly month of Game Pass, the $80 price tag might be a hurdle for some. However, it’s essential to note that this decision lies with Xbox, not the team behind The Outer Worlds 2.

The game’s creator expressed a personal desire for everyone to enjoy their creation. They explained that while they wish it could be accessible to all, the $79.99 price point is something best discussed with the Xbox team.

Since The Outer Worlds 2 won’t be released until October 29, 2025, there’s still some time left before its release. It’s possible that Microsoft might lower the price for their upcoming role-playing game, but it’s unlikely.

It seems that both Obsidian’s RPG and Gearbox’s Borderlands 4, which were released this year, carry a price tag of $80 each. Furthermore, there are expectations that the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 might cost players $100, potentially leading to an increase in game prices next year.

Conversely, there’s been a fresh surge of AA studios striving for affordable game releases. To illustrate, Sandfall Interactive, the developers behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, have publicly declared their commitment to offering less costly gaming experiences in an increasingly expensive market.

Read More

2025-06-12 13:10