Valor Mortis will launch on October 13 for $39.99 instead of using a higher standard price, with the team behind the game pointing to the unusually crowded fall release schedule as a major reason for the decision.
The first person action RPG is also joining Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on day one, giving subscribers another way to play without buying it separately.
The developers say they believe Valor Mortis has the scope and quality to compete with more expensive releases, but they also recognise that players face heavy competition for both time and money this season.
Standard edition will cost $39.99
Valor Mortis is priced at $39.99, €39.99 and 149.99 zł when it arrives on October 13.
The game is expected to offer a roughly 20 hour story, and the team says it was confident enough in the overall production quality to compare it with many full price titles.
Still, the crowded release calendar led to a more aggressive launch price.
| Edition | Price | Included content |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | $39.99 | Base game |
| Deluxe Edition | $59.99 | Base game plus story DLC |
| Xbox Game Pass Ultimate | Included | Day one access |
| PC Game Pass | Included | Day one access |
The Deluxe Edition costs $59.99 and includes additional story content planned for release next year.
Crowded fall schedule influenced the decision
The main concern is visibility.
September and October 2026 are filled with major game launches, while November is also dominated by attention around GTA 6.
In that environment, even a strong new release can struggle to stand out.
The team behind Valor Mortis said there is unusually high demand for players’ time and spending, so launching below the traditional full price level could make the game easier to consider.
That pricing strategy could be particularly important for a new IP that does not yet have an established audience.
Rather than asking players to spend the same amount they might pay for a major sequel or long running franchise, the lower price reduces the initial barrier.
Game Pass changes the launch strategy further
Valor Mortis is also arriving on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on its first day.
That means subscribers can try the game without paying the $39.99 purchase price.
For a new action RPG, that could expose the game to a much wider audience during a busy month.
Players who enjoy it can still choose to buy the standard or Deluxe Edition, while others may simply access it through the subscription service.
The combination of a lower retail price and day one Game Pass availability gives the game several ways to reach players.
Valor Mortis comes from the Ghostrunner team
Valor Mortis is being developed by One More Level, the studio known for the Ghostrunner series.
The new project takes a different direction, combining first person combat with soulslike systems and a supernatural historical setting.
You play as William, a former soldier in Napoleon’s Grande Armée who returns from death to find Europe transformed by a mysterious plague.
The same force responsible for the outbreak has also given William supernatural abilities.
Players will fight monsters, explore a corrupted version of Europe and investigate a wider conspiracy connected to the plague.
The game is aiming for a 20 hour campaign
The developers say the main story will last around 20 hours.
That gives Valor Mortis a more focused scope than many large open world RPGs, while still offering enough content to support its $39.99 price.
The Deluxe Edition extends that package with story DLC planned for next year.
This structure lets players choose between a lower entry price and a more expensive version that includes future narrative content.
October 13 will be the real test
The lower price does not guarantee success, but it shows the team is adjusting its launch strategy to match market conditions.
A crowded release period can make it difficult for smaller or newer franchises to attract attention, especially when several major games are competing for the same audience.
Valor Mortis is trying to reduce that pressure with a $39.99 standard price, a $59.99 Deluxe Edition and day one Game Pass access.
The game launches on October 13, 2026, and its combination of a lower purchase price, a 20 hour campaign and subscription availability could help it find an audience despite the crowded fall schedule.
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