Valor Mortis will launch at a $40 price point and be available day-one on Xbox Game Pass, decisions driven by the unusually competitive fall release window, according to developer One More Level and publisher Lyrical Games. The studios acknowledged the challenging market, noting the packed schedules of September, the upcoming November release of Grand Theft Auto 6, and a multitude of other high-profile titles vying for player attention and spending.
"We believe the game has the quality, fidelity, and playtime in its 20-hour story to go toe-to-toe with many 'full price' titles," the developers stated in a release. "Still, this fall is stacked, and there's high demand for your time and money." They further elaborated that the $40 pricing was chosen to position Valor Mortis as an "and game," a title players could easily add to their purchases of other major releases.
To support the studio, a Deluxe Edition will be available, including the base game, unique weapon skins, and a "major" story expansion planned for 2027. Cosmetic packs are also expected in the coming months.
The decision to include Valor Mortis on Xbox Game Pass on its launch day is also seen as a strategic move to broaden its reach. Blake Rochkind, head of Lyrical Games, commented on the maturity of Game Pass, suggesting a segment of players primarily engage with titles through the subscription service and might not have purchased the game otherwise. "For every game that is ‘cannibalized’ by Game Pass, another game gets amazing word-of-mouth because of it," Rochkind explained, expressing optimism about the potential for organic discovery through the service.
Valor Mortis is a first-person souls-like set during the Napoleonic Wars. Players assume the role of William, a revived soldier tasked with battling monstrous creatures spawned by a mysterious plague across European battlefields. The game requires players to master new skills and powers to overcome enemy attacks. Originally slated for a September 24 release, Valor Mortis is now scheduled to launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on October 13.