Latest news with #TheOuterWorlds2
Forbes
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Obsidian Reiterates $80 ‘Outer Worlds 2' Price Is On Xbox, Not Them
The Outer Worlds 2 Obsidian Obsidian is having a big year of releases between this spring's Avowed and this summer's The Outer Worlds 2, in addition to the reveal of Grounded 2 on top of that. But while Obsidian works hard on all these games, the one thing they do not do is set the price, and that's an issue that's emerged in the wake of the reveal that The Outer Worlds 2 would be Xbox's first $80 game. Microsoft promised that $80 games were coming this year after Nintendo broke the dam with Mario Kart World. Sony does not seem to have hopped on board yet, Ghost of Yotei will be $70 this fall, but Microsoft is eager to get started. The Outer Worlds 2's director, Brandon Adler, had this to say about the pricing when asked about it at SGF: If this were say, Perfect Dark or something along those lines, I don't think we'd be having this same conversation. Rather, it's that this is an Obsidian game releasing at this price point. Not that these games are bad, but just that they're not exactly sprawling a lot of the time compared to their AAA compatriots. The Outer Worlds was released at the then-standard price of $60 back in 2019, and performed well enough to warrant this sequel. This year, Avowed cost $70, and sales of that were…nebulous. Microsoft did not exactly brag about that game's performance very much, be it on Game Pass or the sales front. But while being at the 'standard' price for AAA games has been the norm, this is a bit different as Microsoft has chosen this as a sacrificial lamb for the $80 price point. Well, perhaps that's too extreme. A crash-test dummy? Hm. Outer Worlds Obsidian The situation is more complicated here because of Xbox Game Pass. Subscribers don't care whether the price is $40, $60 or $80 because it will be included day one there regardless. Rather, the price exists for those outside the system, and is Microsoft wants to push more subs, it now can say simply 'three games a year cost exactly the same as a year of Game Pass Ultimate ($240)' when for the lower prices that wasn't the case. Of course, Game Pass prices are no doubt going to go up again at some point, too. Game pricing can be frustrating for developers as like Obsidian says, it's simply not up to them when they're not an independent entity. For a game like say, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, that team can set the price at $50 if they want to (even if that was easily worth $70 or $80 for the experience). Or it also comes up if a game should be free-to-play or premium at baseline. Not going to be up to the developer. Will The Outer Worlds 2 perform well at the $80 price point? When it comes to Xbox, that's a black box at this point. At best, Xbox will brag about 'engagement,' but we won't know sales numbers, plus sales are always low because of Game Pass anyway. But this does seem like a strange game to start this trend with, and I'm not sure how amused the developer is about it. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
Express Tribune
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
The Outer Worlds 2 hits $80, Brandon Adler says we don't set the prices
The release of The Outer Worlds 2 is set to make waves with a price tag of $80, marking it as the first Xbox-published game to carry such a hefty price point. However, in an interview at the Summer Game Fest, Obsidian Entertainment's director, Brandon Adler, was quick to clarify that the developers had no say in the pricing decision. 'The price is set by the platform holders,' Adler said, referring to Xbox, which recently confirmed that several first-party games will carry the same price from this holiday season onward. The Outer Worlds 2, set to launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on October 29, is the first example of this price shift. 'I wish everybody could play my game,' Adler continued, acknowledging the challenges the higher price could pose to some fans. 'But for the reasons behind the $79.99 price point, you'd have to talk to the Xbox folks,' he said, carefully deflecting any personal opinions on the matter. This price hike follows a trend seen with other major titles, such as Nintendo's Mario Kart World for the Switch 2, which debuted at the same price earlier this year. With the rising costs of AAA game production, discussions surrounding $80 games have intensified, especially as other publishers like Sony and Nintendo have implemented similar pricing structures. While the high cost of games may continue to be a point of contention, it's clear that the industry is evolving in response to production costs and market trends. Fans of the video game franchise have been voicing their criticisms online. The Outer World 2 trailer being sarcastic about "Capitalism" and whatnot just to launch with the $80 price tag... — Vboy (@The_Vboy) June 8, 2025 "Oh, it's Inflation raising game prices." Yeah, no. Expedition 33 is $50 and was released like 8 weeks ago. It's one of the greatest games I've ever played. And it cost $50 bucks. $80 for Mario Kart and Outer Worlds 2 is PURE GREED. — Fake Wizard (@RealLifeFakeWiz) June 9, 2025 PSA: Do Not buy The Outer Worlds 2 for $80. Instead get it on Game Pass, as it will be on that service at launch. This Xbox $10 price increase feels REALLY bad, especially on games like this. — Joe Vargas (@AngryJoeShow) June 9, 2025 As someone who is insanely hyped for The Outer Worlds 2, $80 is a scam. No, " just get Game Pass" is not a valid counter. I do not want my access to games locked behind a subscription, which keeps getting more expensive. Shame on @Xbox for hurting the hype of this for greed. — 🅁🄴🅃🅁🄾 🏳️🌈🇺🇦 (@totallynotretro) June 9, 2025 Whether The Outer Worlds 2 will become the new norm remains to be seen, but fans of the RPG are already gearing up for its launch, eager to explore the absurd perks that Adler and his team have packed into the new title. The conversation around pricing is set to continue as other upcoming titles, like Borderlands 4, spark heated debates among fans and developers alike. Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford, for instance, has faced backlash after suggesting that true fans would find a way to afford the higher price tag. As the industry moves forward, how players and developers navigate these changes will likely shape the future of gaming. In the meantime, The Outer Worlds 2 promises an eccentric journey through its RPG universe, with the game's quirky features already catching the attention of many. The launch in October will no doubt spark further discussions, not only about its pricing but also about its place in the ever-expanding world of AAA gaming.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Outer Worlds 2 Direct: Arcadia Is Nice This Time of Year
Immediately following the Xbox Games Showcase at Summer Game Fest 2025, The Outer Worlds 2 Direct revealed all of the new mechanics coming to Obsidian's upcoming sequel. It has been an absolute whirlwind of news, previews, world premieres and new gameplay reveals during the weekend of Summer Game Fest 2025. New looks were given to titles like Grounded 2, Ninja Gaiden IV, and even a new Call of Duty was announced, however, Obsidian Entertainment followed the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 with their very own The Outer Worlds 2 Direct. The teaser trailer presented at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 presentation can be seen in full below, and a written breakdown of the direct follows. One of the most interesting things following the sequel is The Outer Worlds 2 is leaving the previous star system of Halycon, and it takes place in a further star system from Earth than even Halycon, in the Arcadia star cluster. What was made immediately transparent by the direct, is Obsidian leaned fully into their trademark humour and storytelling, and chaos will ensue everywhere. Arcadia is a lawless system cut off from Earth, featuring a pressure cooker of a colony bearing immense pressure, torn apart by space-time rifts, factions with ever-shifting alliances, and these three power-hungry factions locked in a war for control. Like The Outer Worlds (and mostly every other Obsidian Entertainment game), The Outer Worlds 2 allows the player to create themselves from head to toe, giving an in-depth character creator to the player. In The Outer Worlds 2, you've been sent in as an Earth Directorate agent but how you approach problems, tense scenarios, and storyline segments is entirely up to the player. Obsidian gives players complete control, allowing you to select from a group of traits, flaws, and backgrounds that Obsidian promises will 'shape every decision.' The three warring factions are as follows: The Protectorate, Auntie's Choice, and The Order of the Ascendant. The Protectorate is the law of Arcadia and believes order = everything, while they believe they're beloved peacemakers, it appears locals have differing opinions. Auntie's Choice are those who align themselves with the Matriarch of The Outer Worlds 2, Auntie Cleo (her origin is explored in Prime Video's Secret Level series). This branch of her company is Auntie Cleo x Spacer's Choice, an in-game collaboration that promises freedom, fulfillment, and Auntie Cleo product placement in spades. The Order of the Ascendant is a science-based faction, determined to perfect humanity by solving the Universal Equation. In The Outer Worlds 2, players will travel with six companions and Obsidian has built upon the system considerably, each with personal stakes in the colony's future and of course, their own opinions on you're behaviour. The companions are listed (along with their allegiances) below courtesy of Obsidian Entertainment. Niles: Another Earth Directorate recruit torn between duty and defection. Inez: A former experiment from Auntie's Choice with a grafted combat edge and a moral core. Aza: A chaos-loving Rift worshipper with a taste for violence and room to grow—maybe. Marisol: A stoic killer from the Order of the Ascendant with calculations to settle. Tristen: A walking tank and judge from the Protectorate, looking to dispense justice — or redefine it. Valerie: A floating, chirping support unit with unexpected upgrades and untapped potential. Fans who pre-purchase can claim the Commander Zane Pack which comes with Commander Zane-theme armor skin, helmet, signature pistol and dagger, and an Earth Directorate drone companion pet. It's worth noting that if fans purchase the title from or the Xbox Marketplace, the purchase is cross-play enabled, you just have to link the accounts to pick up and play on either platform. The Outer Worlds 2 launches October 29, 2025 and fans can pre-purchase today for the new AAA title price of $79.99. Be sure to check out all of the other announcements from the Xbox Games Showcase
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Xbox Games Showcase 2025: Everything announced and then some
Microsoft just wrapped up their biggest gaming showcase of the year, and honestly? They came loaded for bear. From brand new handhelds to surprise Final Fantasy drops, this wasn't your typical "here's what's coming eventually" presentation. The Xbox Games Showcase 2025 delivered actual release dates, playable demos, and enough surprises to keep Twitter buzzing for weeks. The show's theme was clear: Xbox wants to be everywhere you are, whether that's your couch, your desk, or apparently now in your backpack. With every announced game supporting Xbox Play Anywhere and a shiny new handheld to show off, Microsoft is doubling down on their "play anywhere" philosophy in a big way. Let's break down everything that happened during this gaming extravaganza. Asus' ROG Ally is now an Xbox Inside: ROG Xbox Ally - Behind The Scenes Feature The biggest hardware surprise came courtesy of Microsoft's partnership with Asus. The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X aren't just another Steam Deck competitor, they're Microsoft's direct answer to handheld PC gaming. Both the Ally(s) run full Windows, meaning you can access Xbox Game Pass, Steam, and pretty much any PC storefront you can think of. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Nugegoda: Beautiful New Senior Apartments with Two Bedrooms Senior Apartments | Search Ads Search Now Undo The regular Ally packs an AMD Ryzen Z2A processor with 16GB of RAM and 512GB storage, while the Ally X steps things up with a Ryzen Z2 Extreme, 24GB of RAM, and a full terabyte of storage. Both launch this holiday season, and Microsoft made sure to mention that every game shown in the showcase will run on these handhelds. That's a bold claim, but if it holds true, these could be game-changers for portable gaming. The Outer Worlds 2 finally gets a real release date The Outer Worlds 2 - Official Story Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 After years of waiting, Obsidian's space RPG sequel has locked in October 29, 2025 as its launch date. The new trailer showed off the colony of Arcadia, which looks like it's having a significantly worse time than the locations in the first game. Rifts are tearing through space-time, factions are at each other's throats, and somehow capitalism is still the real villain. The sequel promises bigger RPG systems, more reactive storytelling, and full character customisation. Plus, there's an expanded Direct happening right after the showcase, so Obsidian clearly has a lot more to show. If you enjoyed the original's blend of dark humour and corporate satire, this looks like more of exactly what you want. Ninja Gaiden 4 brings PlatinumGames flair to Team Ninja violence NINJA GAIDEN 4 - Official Release Date Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 October 21, 2025 marks the return of one of gaming's most brutally difficult action series. Ninja Gaiden 4 is a collaboration between Team Ninja and PlatinumGames, which sounds like a recipe for some absolutely bonkers combat sequences. The trailer showcased new protagonist Yakumo pulling off impossible combos against hordes of enemies, with the signature weapon-switching and aerial juggling the series is known for. The game is set in near-future Tokyo, features connections to series legend Ryu Hayabusa, and promises to deliver that "git gud or go home" difficulty the franchise built its reputation on. If you've been missing proper character action games, this one's shaping up to be essential. Super Meat Boy gets an extra dimension Super Meat Boy 3D Announcement Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Sometimes the most unexpected announcements hit the hardest, and Super Meat Boy 3D definitely qualifies. Sluggerfly and Headup Games are taking Team Meat's masochistic masterpiece and literally adding another dimension to the suffering. The early 2026 release promises all the wall-jumping, buzzsaw-dodging, death-filled gameplay that made the original a cult classic, except now you can fail spectacularly in three dimensions instead of two. The trailer showcased the same tight platforming mechanics that turned controllers into projectiles worldwide, complete with Meat Boy's quest to rescue his bandage-wrapped girlfriend from that eternally creepy fetus in a jar. It's the kind of game that makes you question your life choices while simultaneously hitting "retry" for the 500th time – and honestly, we wouldn't have it any other way. Clockwork Revolution shows off its steampunk time-travel madness Clockwork Revolution | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 InXile's ambitious RPG got an extended look, and it's looking appropriately ambitious. Set in the steampunk city of Avalon, players discover that history itself has been manipulated by the city's ruler. Your solution? A time travel device that lets you hop into the past and change things, with consequences rippling forward into the present. The new trailer focused on the grittier side of Avalon, showing the downtrodden areas where gangs prey on the weak. It's a far cry from the polished upper city areas we've seen before, suggesting the game will have some real social commentary alongside its time-bending mechanics. No release date yet, but this is definitely one to watch. Call of Duty Black Ops 7 goes full sci-fi Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 - Official Teaser | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 The final reveal of the show was perhaps the biggest surprise, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, set in 2035. This isn't your typical modern warfare setup; the trailer suggested heavy sci-fi elements, psychological warfare, and the return of David Mason from Black Ops 2. The year 2035 apparently isn't going great for humanity, with the world "on the brink of chaos" following the events of previous Black Ops games. Treyarch and Raven Software are promising co-op campaign support, near-future weaponry, and the next chapter of Round-Based Zombies. The official reveal is coming this summer, but this teaser suggests the series is taking some big swings with its setting and tone. Gears of War Reloaded gets a multiplayer beta next week Xbox Games Showcase Deep Dive | Gears of War: Reloaded Sometimes the best announcements are the ones you can play immediately. Gears of War: Reloaded launches August 26, but Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can jump into a multiplayer beta starting June 13. This definitive edition of the original Gears features 4K textures, 60 FPS campaign, 120 FPS multiplayer, and full cross-play support. The remaster is coming to more platforms than any Gears game before it, including PlayStation 5. It's a smart move from Microsoft, using one of their biggest exclusives to showcase their multi-platform strategy while giving longtime fans the definitive way to experience the game that started it all. Grounded 2 trades the backyard for suburban wilderness Grounded 2 - Announce Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Obsidian's surprise sequel announcement came with an immediate Early Access date, July 29, 2025. Grounded 2 moves the action from a single backyard to the larger Brookhollow Park, featuring new biomes, new bugs, and one of the community's most requested features: rideable vehicles called Buggies. The game promises major quality-of-life improvements over the original, including an all-in-one Omni-Tool that should streamline the building and crafting systems. With over 25 million players shaping the first game's development, this sequel feels like a direct response to community feedback. Final Fantasy makes Xbox its new home FINAL FANTASY XVI - Available on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC today | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 In the showcase's biggest surprise drop, Final Fantasy XVI is available on Xbox platforms right now. Not tomorrow, not next week, today. The game that many considered a permanent PlayStation exclusive just became part of Xbox's catalog, complete with Xbox Play Anywhere support and cross-save functionality. FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE - Coming to Xbox | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is following this winter, meaning Xbox players will soon have access to some of the most acclaimed JRPGs of recent years. Microsoft made sure to point out that every mainline single-player Final Fantasy is now playable on Xbox platforms, which is a pretty impressive collection to have. A handful of new RPGs are coming out Aniimo Reveal Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Three RPGs caught attention for their unique approaches to familiar genres. Aniimo is an open-world creature collecting game that lets players actually transform into the creatures they capture through something called the Twining system. It's hitting 2026 with a closed beta coming later this year. Aphelion | Reveal Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Beast of Reincarnation - Reveal Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Aphelion from Don't Nod (Life is Strange, Jusant) is a sci-fi adventure about an astronaut stranded on a frozen planet. What makes it special is its partnership with the European Space Agency, promising gameplay grounded in real science. Beast of Reincarnation from Game Freak takes players to post-apocalyptic Japan with a cursed protagonist and her loyal dog companion fighting massive creatures. All three games are coming in 2026. Fighting games and indie darlings round out the roster Invincible VS | Official Reveal Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Quarter Up announced Invincible VS , a 3v3 tag fighter based on the hit comic and animated series. The trailer showed appropriately brutal superhero combat with characters like Mark, Thula, and Atom Eve beating the absolute stuffing out of each other. It's coming in 2026 and looks like it could scratch that Marvel vs. Capcom itch. MUDANG: Two Hearts | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Mudang: Two Hearts is a tactical action game set in a reunified Korea, following a North Korean operative and a K-pop idol whose paths cross during terrorist attacks. The cinematic presentation and Unreal Engine 5 visuals make it one to watch for 2026. Persona 4 Revival - Teaser Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Persona 4 Revival got the briefest of teases, literally about seven seconds of footage, but it's enough to confirm that Atlus is giving the beloved JRPG a full remake treatment. No release date yet, but seeing those updated visuals of Inaba was enough to get fans excited. DLC updates keep existing games fresh The Elder Scrolls Online - Tales of Tamriel | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Fallout 76: Gone Fission Launch Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 Three major Xbox exclusives are getting substantial content drops. The Elder Scrolls Online is continuing its Worm Cult storyline with new content arriving June 18. Fallout 76 added fishing with the Gone Fission update, because apparently even post-apocalyptic wasteland dwellers need to relax sometimes. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants - Official DLC Reveal | Xbox Games Showcase Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is getting The Order of Giants DLC on September 4, taking Indy beneath the streets of Rome for a new adventure. Hollow Knight: Silksong finally shows signs of life The most anticipated indie game of the decade got its briefest of mentions, but sometimes that's all you need to send a fanbase into overdrive. Hollow Knight: Silksong appeared during the ROG Xbox Ally segment with a simple promise: it'll be available "at launch and in Game Pass" when the handheld arrives later this year. No new footage, no release date, just the confirmation that Team Cherry's long-awaited sequel is still breathing. The game's developer quickly clarified that Silksong isn't tied to the console's release and will arrive "before Holiday," which has fans cautiously optimistic that Christmas 2025 might finally deliver the Metroidvania sequel they've been waiting years for. After countless delays and radio silence, even this tiny update feels like a victory for the Silksong faithful who've been subsisting on hope and memes for far too long. Next year brings Xbox's 25th anniversary celebration [4K] Xbox Games Showcase 2025 | The Outer Worlds 2 & Grounded 2 Direct Phil Spencer closed the show by looking ahead to 2026 and Xbox's 25th anniversary. The confirmed lineup includes a new Fable, the next Forza game, Gears of War: E-Day, and what Spencer called "the return of a classic that's been with us since the beginning." Most fans are interpreting that last tease as Halo-related, possibly a Combat Evolved remake or remaster. It's a strong lineup for Xbox's quarter-century celebration, mixing beloved franchises with what sounds like a major nostalgic announcement. Whether it's Halo or something else entirely, Spencer clearly saved the biggest tease for last. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
CNET
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
The Outer Worlds 2 Launches at $80, Joining a New Trend in Gaming
The Outer Worlds 2, from developer Obsidian Entertainment, is the follow-up to its 2019 sci-fi action RPG that felt like a slightly shallower version of Fallout 4, but in space. There are a few differences between the two games, but one very glaring discrepancy is the price. When The Outer Worlds 2 launches on Oct. 29, it will carry a price tag of $80 for both the PC and Xbox versions -- a $20 increase from the original game's $60 launch price in 2019. It's the second major title confirmed at this higher price, following Mario Kart World for the Switch 2. Microsoft didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about the price of The Outer Worlds 2. Back in May, Microsoft announced it was raising prices for its Xbox Series consoles and accessories. While the Xbox Series console price increase can be clearly attributed to tariffs instituted by President Donald Trump back in April -- since the system is primarily manufactured in China -- pricing for digital products isn't affected by those tariffs. Also, in the case of Mario Kart World, the game is available on a physical cartridge, which can have an increased cost due to the expense that comes with physical storage. In that same announcement, the company said it was also going to increase the price of its first-party games. "We understand that these changes are challenging, and they were made with careful consideration given market conditions and the rising cost of development," Microsoft said in its announcement about the price increases. "Looking ahead, we continue to focus on offering more ways to play more games across any screen and ensuring value for Xbox players." Developing a AAA game like The Outer Worlds can be expensive. The first Outer Worlds was speculated to cost between $30 million and $40 million and was noted for having a constrained budget, as team members mentioned in the documentary about the making of the game. In just a matter of a few years, developing the same game can cost double that amount. As the price of labor increases and the time for development continues to lengthen, the cost of making games will continue to rise. Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 6 reportedly has a budget of more than $1 billion, partly due to the game being in development for five to seven years. Due to that huge budget, some experts warn not to be surprised if GTA 6 costs $100. Fortunately, The Outer Worlds 2 will be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch, and Microsoft has given no indication that it plans to increase subscription prices anytime soon.
