Xbox Amidst Chaos: Company Makes Significant Decision, a Good One

Xbox Amidst Struggles: Microsoft Sharpens Focus on Exclusive Games

Recent events at Microsoft’s Xbox division have caused considerable frustration among both employees and gamers. A new round of layoffs has impacted thousands of employees, alongside the closure of The Initiative studio and the cancellation of multiple projects. Amid these challenges, the company is intensifying its focus on exclusive game development for Xbox to enhance market competitiveness.

Xbox Price Drop for The Outer Worlds 2 at $69.99 to Maintain Market Competitiveness

Xbox recently announced a price reduction for The Outer Worlds 2. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the creators of Avowed, the game is scheduled for release on October 24th. It was initially priced at $79.99 in the U.S., a $10 increase from the standard Xbox game price of $69.99. This initial pricing was met with player dissatisfaction, especially following similar pricing decisions from Nintendo for titles like Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch 2. Obsidian Entertainment subsequently confirmed the new price of $69.99. The studio humorously acknowledged player feedback, stating, “Got your SOS via drone about the game’s price, and we’re here to help. As an organization that keeps tabs on corporations, Earth’s Directorate stepped in to adjust the price of The Outer Worlds 2 according to today’s market trends.” An Xbox spokesperson later confirmed to Windows Central that this adjustment aims to maintain market competitiveness. This price change applies to all upcoming holiday season releases. While no future price increase is currently planned, the possibility is not ruled out.

Xbox fans are celebrating the price drop of The Outer Worlds 2. This decision is not solely driven by public demand; it is also an effort to mend fences after recent negative company news regarding layoffs and project cancellations. Despite its day-one release on Game Pass, pre-order numbers for The Outer Worlds 2 have been modest. On PlayStation 5, where the game will also launch, the premium edition ranks 42nd and the standard version 48th among most pre-ordered games on the PlayStation Store. In Europe, the game’s price has also been reduced from €79.99 to €69.99. Whether this price adjustment will significantly boost pre-orders remains to be seen, but it has been widely welcomed by players. The primary focus now shifts to whether The Outer Worlds 2 can meet the high standards set by its 2019 predecessor.

In Case You Missed It

If you’re curious about the latest in cross-platform gaming, be sure to check out Marcus Thompson’s recent post, “Xbox Preparing to Announce More PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 Ports,” published on July 24, 2025. The piece delves into intriguing rumors that Microsoft might expand its portfolio of Xbox Game Studios titles for both the PlayStation 5 and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. With Forza Horizon 5’s success on PS5 paving the way, there’s buzz around potential releases like Starfield and Hi-fi Rush, among others. Stay tuned to see how this develops! (Read more Xbox Preparing to Announce More PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 Ports)

If you’re looking for the latest update on how Microsoft is responding to consumer demands in the gaming industry, be sure to check out “Xbox Reverses Stance on Game Prices” by Ahmed Hassan (published July 24, 2025). The blog delves into how Xbox has adjusted its pricing strategy for upcoming releases like The Outer Worlds 2, ensuring that games will now launch at a more affordable $69 price point. With the current climate of price-conscious consumers and an abundance of gaming options, this move is significant for both gamers and industry watchers alike. Click Xbox Reverses Stance on Game Prices to learn more about how this shift could impact the future of game pricing!

Excited gamers, don’t miss out on the latest update that’s set to take your PlayStation experience to new heights! Ahmed Hassan dives into the details of “Your DualSense Will Get Even Better with New PS5 Update!” published on July 23, 2025. This post reveals how Sony is enhancing the DualSense and DualSense Edge controllers by allowing simultaneous pairing with up to four devices, making your gaming sessions more flexible than ever before. Plus, there’s a new Power Saver mode in the works! Head over to Your DualSense Will Get Even Better with New PS5 Update! to learn more!

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Bruno Pferd

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