According to Kotaku, back in June 2025, Microsoft was set to launch The Outer Worlds 2 at a new, higher price point of $80. By July, the company had completely reversed that decision, deciding it was a bad idea. Microsoft also promised not to raise the price of the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. In a recent interview with Variety, Xbox studio head Matt Booty didn’t commit to future pricing but discussed the philosophy of game value in 2025. He stated the focus is on “player satisfaction” and “meeting people where they are,” noting that monetization now happens in many different ways. The company claims it has no current pricing updates and will continue to listen to fan feedback.
The Philosophy Of Price
Booty’s comments are a masterclass in corporate speak, but they point to a real truth. The old model of a single, static $60 price tag for a big game is basically dead. Now, you’ve got a dizzying array of options. There’s the $70 standard edition, the $100+ Ultimate Edition with digital trinkets, deep discounts within months, and of course, subscription access via services like Game Pass (which, let’s not forget, just got more expensive itself). The price is never just *the price* anymore. It’s a moving target across a dozen storefronts and business models. So when Booty says there’s “less of a focus on what’s that top-line price,” what he’s really saying is: don’t get hung up on that one number, because we have a dozen other ways to get money from you.
The Gamers Perspective
But here’s the thing: players *do* get hung up on that number. It’s a psychological anchor. Seeing a sequel jump from $60 to $80 feels like a blatant cash grab, especially when the cost of everything else is also rising. Microsoft‘s quick reversal shows they know this is a third-rail issue. Gamers loudly said “no,” and for now, Microsoft listened. But Booty’s framing is clever. It implies that if you’re upset about a potential $80 sticker price, you’re just not engaging with games the “modern” way. Why buy it when you can rent it via Game Pass? Or wait for the inevitable sale, like the 20% discount that hit the first game just a month after launch? The message is: the savvy, flexible player wins. The traditionalist who just wants to buy a game outright? Maybe they pay a premium.
The Business Reality
Don’t let the soft language fool you. This isn’t just about “listening to fans.” It’s a cold business calculation. The article points out that Microsoft is targeting a 30% profit margin. Pushing a price hike that causes a backlash and hurts day-one sales isn’t “healthy business.” It’s stupid. So they’re walking it back, waiting for the right moment or the right game where they think they can normalize the increase. Maybe it’ll be a *Call of Duty* in 2026. Maybe it’ll be by bundling more “value” into a higher tier. The pressure to increase revenue is constant, but the methods are evolving. They’re balancing the immediate backlash against a headline price hike with the longer-term, quieter revenue from subscriptions, microtransactions, and layered editions. The $80 experiment failed for now, but the search for more money never ends.
What It All Means
So, has Microsoft learned its lesson? Probably not permanently. They’ve learned that a blunt, across-the-board hike for a beloved franchise is too risky right now. The market is too fragmented and players are too price-sensitive. The real strategy is what Booty outlined: diversify. Get you into the ecosystem through Game Pass, tempt you with a Deluxe Edition, then hit you with DLC and season passes. The top-line price is becoming just one lever among many, and arguably a less important one. For gamers, the takeaway is mixed. You dodged a $20 bullet today. But you’re also being gently steered toward a future where truly “owning” a game at a simple, fair price feels increasingly like a relic. The conversation has shifted, and that might be the biggest win for Microsoft of all.
