The top price of new video games is suddenly a hot topic, with many publishers pushing for a higher 80 price tag just a year or two after 70 suddenly became commonplace. Notably, Nintendo's price ceiling for Switch 2 games like Mario Kart World is 80. Microsoft had planned to jump on this particular bandwagon starting with The Outer Worlds 2, but now seems to have reversed course. Back in May, Microsoft had announced that base prices for its biggest games for the 2025 holiday season would be increasing to 80 (or 79.99, if you ask the marketers). Today, The Outer Worlds 2 social accounts announced that it would get a preemptive price cut, down to the current 69.99 standard for new, heavily-promoted triple-A games. Microsoft confirmed to Windows Central that its first-party games for PC and Xbox will remain at the 70 USD level this year, with similar pricing in other markets.

Join gaming executives to discuss emerging parts of the industry this October at GamesBeat Summit Next. Beth Goss was recently appointed as the CEO of kid game company Outright Games. To do that, the former chief brand officer at 20th Century Fox had to relocate her family from the U.S. to London. That tells you the nature of the opportunity. And now she is running a kids' video game publisher behind the likes of Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol and Star Trek titles. Goss has held positions with some of the biggest entertainment companies in the world including Universal Pictures and Cartoon Network. Goss wants to transform the family-operated publisher into a global player in the video games market, which has traditionally operated exclusively in games for young children. Goss is applying lessons and industry practices from her traditional entertainment background into gaming.

LAS VEGAS – Most baseball fans won't forget the controversial call in Game 6 of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals when runner Trea Turner was ruled out because of interference. Umpire accuracy is a frustration for fans and players in nearly every game. This season, MLB has launched so-called "robot umpires" in 11 Pacific Coast League Triple-A teams, putting it one step away from reaching the major leagues, to improve accuracy and reduce delays. The automated balls and strikes system (ABS) debuted in a Las Vegas Aviators' game earlier this month. As cool and bizarre as it would be to see "Jetsons"-style robots on the field, most fans won't notice the actual device -- eight surveillance-looking cameras at the top of the bleachers.