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Affordable Xbox gaming era is here, undeniably so, as $80 game prices become standard

Xbox first-party games now carry a standard price of $80, marking the official onset of this new pricing era. Users can no longer avoid this change.

The anticipated price increase for Xbox first-party games has been implemented, now costing $80....
The anticipated price increase for Xbox first-party games has been implemented, now costing $80. This change is irreversible, marking a new epoch in gaming costs.

Gearing Up for the Wallet-Vacuum: The Hike in Xbox Game Prices

Affordable Xbox gaming era is here, undeniably so, as $80 game prices become standard

Brace yourself, gamer! The day we all braced for is here, dramatically dimming our wallets' prospects. The Xbox Games Showcase has just offered less to rejoice about and more to raiser our eyebrows at the staggering price tags.

Nostalgia-laden $80 Xbox games have taken over the scene, thanks to Nintendo initially leading the charge. You know it's official when The Outer Worlds 2 steals the spotlight as the pioneer of this apparent new benchmark for pockets' depletion.

Peruse the Xbox store or even take a glance at Steam, and there it is, in bold letters—$79.99. The UK, thankfully, doesn't succumb to simply changing the currency symbol, as that would have been truly unfortunate. Expect to pay £69.99 there.

To put it simply, it's a heavy hit on our piggy banks. I'm genuinely surprised that The Outer Worlds 2 serves as the opener in this price escalation saga. Quite a bold gambit, if you ask me.

Don't fret, though, it's almost inevitable that Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will inevitably join the $80 franchise. But remember, despite the annual grumblings about the game, the fanatics will keep returning, wallets loaded.

Now, how do we feel about this, one might ask? Obsidian certainly deserves ample compensation for their hard work, and with escalating production costs, who can argue? Yet, this cynic can't help but suspect a strategic move to fan the flames of Game Pass subscriptions. And, indeed, Game Pass seems more enticing than ever.

The Outer Worlds was appreciated, but it fails to magnetize like some of Xbox's other first-party brands, with new releases lining up that boast broader market appeal: Call of Duty, Forza, Elder Scrolls.

On a positive note, though, Obsidian's second offering this year sports an almost laughable price tag. Grounded 2 will retail for $29.99 upon its early access launch. Quite a steal, it certainly is.

Alas, we've reached the inevitable day we knew was coming, and we can only express less enthusiasm and more displeasure. But, be sure, this trend isn't going anywhere, and you can bet your bottom dollar that future high-profile Xbox releases will line up behind this new pricing structure.

I cringe to see The Outer Worlds 2 carrying this torch, honestly, but only time will tell if this strategy meets with the desired response.

  1. Microsoft, perhaps capitalizing on this pricing strategy, might find it enticing to update the pricing of some of its Windows-exclusive PC games, such as Halo or Age of Empires.
  2. As the cost of hardware and technology continues to increase, the rationale for these high game prices could be rooted in increased production costs, making it difficult for gaming companies like Microsoft to keep profits at an acceptable level.
  3. With the rise in Xbox game prices, gamers might find alternative forms of entertainment to save money, such as streaming movies and shows on services like Netflix or visiting local movie theaters for a more affordable experience.
  4. This surge in game prices could potentially drive gamers towards purchasing an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, as they would have access to both the console's exclusive titles and Game Pass subscription.
  5. Finance experts might credit this pricing shift not only to increased costs but also to Microsoft's strategic push to increase Game Pass subscriptions, encouraging gamers to adopt a subscription-based model rather than paying full price for single games.

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