Latest news with #Obsidian
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Microsoft backtracks on $80 The Outer Worlds 2 pricing
There's hope that the gaming industry won't follow Nintendo's lead with $80 pricing. (Well, at least not yet.) On Wednesday, Microsoft backtracked on the price increase for The Outer Worlds 2. The game now costs $70, which itself was considered outrageous only a few years ago. Microsoft toldWindows Central that those who already pre-ordered Obsidian's shooter at $80 can get refunds at the point of purchase. Unfortunately, you can't simply get a $10 price adjustment. You'll have to refund the full $80 and then pre-order again for $70. I'm beginning to think consumer-friendliness isn't the priority here. The $80 pricing push began with Mario Kart World. Comments by Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford initially suggested Borderlands 4 might have followed. Fortunately, 2K Games saw something in the backlash that made it balk; it's launching at $70. A Bluesky user summed it up in a reply to Obsidian's U-turn. "Consumer advocacy in this awful state of the industry WORKS," @johnbrebbia posted. The gaming industry is caught in a godawful whirlwind of layoffs, studio closures and price increases. That's happening against a backdrop of rising costs for consumers. Meanwhile, the gaming industry is projected to reach $189 billion this year, a 3.4 percent increase. That's a combustible mixture if ever there was one. Ironically, Obsidian's sci-fi RPG deals with themes of late-stage capitalism. The developer even deployed in-world satire to announce the pricing change: "Dear Galactic Citizens! We have received your SOS via skip drone about the pricing..." Winking at one's audience is usually a good thing, but this strikes me as more of a "dude, read the room" moment. Regardless, The Outer Worlds 2 is set to arrive on October 29. It will be available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.
Phone Arena
3 hours ago
- Phone Arena
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold might be getting only the best Pro colors
After we saw leaked renders of the Pixel 10 and then the Pixel 10 Pro, it's now time to take a close look at the colors of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. If there's a slight surprise about this leak, it is that Google may opt only for the two slightly more interesting colors of the Pro models. A new set of renders leaked by Android Headlines all but confirms the previous rumors that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be available in the following two colors: That would continue Google's tradition of limiting the colors of its most expensive smartphone to only a couple of options, as it did with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold last year. That foldable was only available in Obsidian and Porcelain, which are the names Google uses for the black and white versions of its phones. This year, the company may be skipping basic colors altogether. That would be true only if we assume the slight blue tint on the otherwise gray Moonstone version makes it bold. Just like with the Pixel 10 Pro , the Jade version appears to combine a nice green color with gold accents, which is relatively exciting. The newly leaked renders follow the recent leaks of the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro colors. The vanilla Pixel 10 is rumored to have Obsidian, Indigo, Frost, and Limoncello as its color options, which appeared much bolder in the renders. The Pixel 10 Pro , on the other hand, is expected to arrive in Obsidian, Porcelain, Moonstone, and Jade. A caveat in the color options could be that Google might limit some storage options to specific colors. In the case of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold , that means the 1TB version might be only available in the Moonstone color. Those renders are very likely to be real, which would mean that Google is once again forcing everyone who wants a premium phone to choose from rather dull colors. While I hope that's not the case, we'll need to wait until the Made for Google event on August 20. That's when Google is expected to announce the Pixel 10 , Pixel 10 Pro , Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold , and the Pixel Watch 4. That's the lineup with which the company hopes to challenge the brand-new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, the Galaxy S25, and the upcoming iPhone 17.
Engadget
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Microsoft backtracks on $80 The Outer Worlds 2 pricing
There's hope that the gaming industry won't follow Nintendo's lead with $80 pricing. (Well, at least not yet.) On Wednesday, Microsoft backtracked on the price increase for The Outer Worlds 2 . The game now costs $70, which itself was considered outrageous only a few years ago. Microsoft told Windows Central that those who already pre-ordered Obsidian's shooter at $80 can get refunds at the point of purchase. Unfortunately, you can't simply get a $10 price adjustment. You'll have to refund the full $80 and then pre-order again for $70. I'm beginning to think consumer-friendliness isn't the priority here. The $80 pricing push began with Mario Kart World . Comments by Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford initially suggested Borderlands 4 might have followed. Fortunately, 2K Games saw something in the backlash that made it balk; it's launching at $70. A Bluesky user summed it up in a reply to Obsidian's U-turn. "Consumer advocacy in this awful state of the industry WORKS," @johnbrebbia posted. The gaming industry is caught in a godawful whirlwind of layoffs, studio closures and price increases. That's happening against a backdrop of rising costs for consumers. Meanwhile, the gaming industry is projected to reach $189 billion this year, a 3.4 percent increase. That's a combustible mixture if ever there was one. Ironically, Obsidian's sci-fi RPG deals with themes of late-stage capitalism. The developer even deployed in-world satire to announce the pricing change: "Dear Galactic Citizens! We have received your SOS via skip drone about the pricing..." Winking at one's audience is usually a good thing, but this strikes me as more of a "dude, read the room" moment. Regardless, The Outer Worlds 2 is set to arrive on October 29. It will be available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.
Forbes
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Xbox Backtracks On $80 Games Like ‘Outer Worlds,' Is ‘Black Ops 7' Next?
Black Ops 7 Perhaps the future where all big games are $80 is not so nigh after all. In a surprising move, Microsoft has just announced that it will reverse course and no longer price its fall selection of games at $80. The Outer Worlds 2 pricing itself at $80 was eye-rolling at the time, as the series may be good, but it's a nascent franchise and not exactly Elder Scrolls or Fallout in terms of demanding such a premium. Obsidian also took the chance to announce the price cut in-character in the Outer Worlds universe: Outer Worlds 2 FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder What's notable here is that this is not just said to be Outer Worlds reducing its already announced price. Microsoft says 'our full priced holiday releases,' plural, and you might know what the next question is going to be: What about Call of Duty? Microsoft never announced a price for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 when it was revealed, nor have they opened up pre-orders. But it stands to reason that they would not make this statement about 'full-priced holiday releases' and not include Black Ops in that selection. This is significant because it goes past the idea that it's just Outer Worlds, a far, far smaller franchise getting this cut, but Call of Duty, one of the biggest properties in the world, and one that probably could command an $80 price. But it seems Microsoft doesn't want to go there. They don't want to go there yet. They're just talking about the rest of 2025, and after that? It's anyone's guess. Yes, we've started to see more $80 games crop up, sparked by Mario Kart World going first, but it is not yet industry 'standard.' This fall's Ghost of Yotei from PlayStation, for instance, a big launch for a pretty big franchise, remains $70. Microsoft has enough pricing problems as it is. They have recently jacked up prices of all its hardware to absurd levels, making Series S consoles cost more than PS5s and Xbox Series X's cost more than PS5 Pros in some instances. But yet again this is Microsoft waffling and seemingly to admit to yet another mistake in a series of many mistakes and instances of backtracking we've seen from the brand. Now, we wait for the Call of Duty announcement, one way or the other. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Google Pixel 10 renders just leaked — and I'm digging the bold colors
Now that the next Made by Google event is official, it's only a matter of time before we get our first official look at the new Pixel 10 lineup. I've always given Google credit for giving people variety, and based on these latest Pixel 10 renders that have now leaked, it looks like it's going to be more of the same with the next model. Android Headlines shared a new batch of renders purportedly of the Pixel 10, which appears to be flaunting bolder looking paint jobs than in previous years. Don't get me wrong, the current options for the Pixel 9 look great, but it appears that Google's going after a more striking look with the amount of saturation it's adding for the Pixel 10. Just as before, it appears that there will be a total of four colors: Obsidian, Indigo, Frost, and Limoncello. There's nothing out of the ordinary with Obsidian, since it's been what the company has offered for the past several years — but it looks like Porcelain is being dropped for this year. Instead, Frost appears to be replacing it, brininging a slightly cooler color temperature than Porcelain. I really like Indigo, not only because it's a lighter shade than the blue shadow option for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, but because it's been ages since I've seen a shade of blue from Google. In fact, you'll have to go back to the original Pixel from 2016 when a Really Blue option was available. It reminds me of the Galaxy S25's navy option, but Indigo is much more saturated in tone. And finally, there's Limoncello that's a stark contrast to the wintergreen paint job of the current Pixel 9. Again, it's much brighter in tone than previous shades of green — making it pop the most out of all the other colors. However, I'm a little bummed that Peony is being dropped and that it doesn't appear to have a replacement color with the Pixel 10. These new leaked renders also give us additional details that I'm excited about, like how there are three cameras on the back of the standard model instead of the usual two. Rumors hint that Google's giving the standard Pixel 10 series a dedicated 11MP telephoto camera, which would be a first for the series. This would complement the 50MP main and 13MP ultrawide cameras the Pixel 10 is also tipped to come with, adding even more utility to its package than its predecessors. In terms of the overall design, the Pixel 10 doesn't look to be a huge departure from the current mdoels — with the same rounded corners and physical keys on the right side. I'm stoked by these color options because they're brighter and bolder than before, while also giving consumers a bit of variety. The only thing I'm concerned about at this point is the Pixel 10's price, since Google has given us wo consecutive years of price hikes for its flagships. With the introduction of a third camera, it's possible we could be in store for yet another one. I hope not. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
