Microsoft succumbed to pressure and reduced the price of $80 games within just 3 months, though it may not signify an end to the struggle for reasonably priced games.
In a surprising turn of events, Microsoft has announced that it will be issuing partial refunds for pre-orders of The Outer Worlds 2, as the tech giant corrects a pricing overreach on the game. The decision to reduce the price of The Outer Worlds 2 from $80 to $70 was likely due to concerns about pre-order numbers or potential blowback around the previous pricing affecting the game's reputation and sales.
Initially, Microsoft had justified the price hike for games like The Outer Worlds 2, citing market conditions and the rising cost of development. However, after significant negative feedback from gamers, including review bombing on platforms like Steam, Microsoft has reversed its decision.
The average price people actually pay for games has been "much higher" than $70 for a while due to gold and silver editions. This, coupled with the intense backlash, may have prompted Microsoft to reconsider its pricing strategy.
Microsoft's decision to revert to the standard $70 pricing for all its first-party holiday releases reflects a prioritization of consumer preferences over the initial strategy to increase prices. This move demonstrates how consumer feedback can influence major decisions in the gaming industry.
It's worth noting that The Outer Worlds 2 was specifically billed as a not-gigantic RPG, and the director has assured players who prefer action over stealth need not worry. The game promises to offer a lot of entertainment, despite being well below the initial $80 price tag.
Meanwhile, other games in the industry are also bucking the trend of high pricing. For instance, Monster Train 2 is priced at $25, demonstrating that affordable pricing can still deliver a quality gaming experience.
In the broader gaming landscape, Shuhei Yoshida, former PlayStation boss, has argued that games like Mario Kart 8 are amazingly affordable. Yoshida points to games from "tighter teams" like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as a way forward for pricing, suggesting that smaller teams can still deliver high-quality games without the need for exorbitant prices.
Over-scoping, wasted labor, and mismanagement are responsible for a significant portion of today's AAA development costs. As the cost of living increases significantly, making $80 games less affordable, it remains to be seen how the gaming industry will address these concerns moving forward.
In conclusion, Microsoft's decision to reduce the price of The Outer Worlds 2 and revert to the standard $70 pricing for all its first-party holiday releases is a clear indication of the power of consumer feedback in the gaming industry. It's a step in the right direction towards making games more affordable for the average gamer.
References: 1. The Verge 2. Polygon 3. Gamespot 4. IGN
- Despite Microsoft's initial justification for increasing game prices, the backlash led to a partial refund for pre-orders of The Outer Worlds 2 and a return to the standard $70 pricing.
- The director of The Outer Worlds 2 assured players that the game, despite being marketed as a not-gigantic RPG, would offer plenty of entertainment, even at its reduced price point.
- The decision to revert to $70 pricing for all first-party holiday releases shows a prioritization of consumer preferences over the initial strategy to increase prices, demonstrating the impact of consumer feedback on the gaming industry.
- The growing consensus among gamers, as evidenced by review bombing and negative feedback, seems to have influenced Microsoft's decision to lower the price of The Outer Worlds 2.
- In a move that goes against the trend of high pricing, Monster Train 2 is priced at $25, demonstrating that quality gaming experiences can be delivered at an affordable price.
- Shuhei Yoshida, former PlayStation boss, argues that games like Mario Kart 8 are amazingly affordable, and points to games from smaller teams like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as a way forward for pricing.
- The rising cost of development, along with over-scoping, wasted labor, and mismanagement, contribute significantly to the high cost of AAA games, making them less affordable for the average gamer.
- The news of Microsoft's price reduction for The Outer Worlds 2 and its other first-party games was covered by reputable sources like The Verge, Polygon, Gamespot, and IGN.
- The increasing cost of living suggests that the gaming industry may need to find ways to address the affordability concerns that have arisen from the high prices of games.
- Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, and other companies in the gaming industry will likely follow suit, as consumers increasingly demand affordable prices for games, hardware, and other gaming-related products.
