"We’re focused on bringing players incredible worlds to explore, and will keep our full priced holiday releases, including The Outer Worlds 2, at $69.99 – in line with current market conditions," an Xbox spokesperson explained in a statement to Windows Central.
If you've already pre-ordered The Outer Worlds 2 at the $79.99 price point, you will have to grab refunds at the point of purchase if you've already paid up. Microsoft says some retailers will light up with refunds today, but some will start accepting refunds from tomorrow. Then, you can pre-order again at the new $69.99 price tier.
I agree with your general point, but I think the problem is OW1 didn’t stick the landing.
Not gonna lie if I didn’t buy it on sale and didn’t get the DLC I would have been disappointed. Emerald Vale and Monarch had really great self contained stories but once you get to Byzantium it starts to lose steam. The 2 DLC are also the strongest stories in the game.