With games hitting a maximum of $80 later in the year, Microsoft sources confirmed to me that, games will still be priced on a scale to reflect their scope, as is the case today. Smaller games could still come in at $50 or less, for example, while AAA big-budget titles like a new Call of Duty are doubtlessly going to hit that maximum price tier.
It's most likely a reaction to the new "maximum" set by Nintendo, as well as Microsoft's internal knowledge that GTA 6 is almost certainly going to come in at $80. Imminently
upcoming Xbox games like
DOOM: The Dark Ages will escape the price increase, but whatever is coming for Xbox in the fall likely won't. Expect other third-party publishers to follow suit, very soon.