One of the main themes of The Outer Worlds 2 revolves around depicting a dystopian future where capitalism runs rampant. This was carried over from the first game, but expanded upon and fleshed out with deeper RPG mechanics and more variety in choices that pushed it above the first game in our review. One interesting feature that both games share is the option to include flaws, which inflict permanent negatives and slight positives on a character.

A thread from Reddit user Disenchantor shows that those who purchased the most expensive Premium Edition are being “rewarded” with the Consumerism flaw, and many find it hilarious. ... features a screenshot of the pop-up informing the player that “The Earth Directorate found a flaw in you! Consumerism!” The top comment from Melancholic_Starborn sums up the general consensus with a simple, “Alr, that’s pretty hilarious ngl.“

Fans Appreciate This Friendly Jab From Obsidian

At the time of writing, The Outer Worlds 2 is only playable in early access for those who spent $100 on the Premium Edition. Alongside the known perks, such as early access, digital artbook, and future DLC packs, the Consumerism flaw is one extra surprise players found when building their character.

Appearing to anyone who dropped the extra cash to buy the most expensive version of the game, the Consumerism flaw reduces vendor prices by -15%, but also reduces player item value when selling by -10%. Thus, this flaw encourages a playstyle where you purchase more than you sell, hence the name Consumerism.

Other comments on the Reddit post appreciate Obsidian’s commitment to the bit, such as KaitoSeishin, who wrote, “This is so tongue in cheek and on brand for Obsidian to flame the player for buying the premium edition lmao.” New_Leg6785 agreed with the comment, saying, “That’s very self-aware of them.“

Stacked among the praise and appreciation of this neat detail are fans who are only just realizing why they got this flaw in the first place. SessionLegal2332, for example, exclaimed, “Oh so that’s why I got that flaw lol, it’s embarrassing I just put two and two together.”

You Don’t Have To Take The Consumerism Flaw

Making It Optional Keeps The Joke From Crossing The Line

Aza from The Outer Worlds 2 without her hood.

Thankfully, like all the flaws in The Outer Worlds 2, the Consumerism flaw is completely optional. It fits the tone of the game and is exactly the kind of meta joke the studio has used in other marketing material. Had this flaw been forced onto players who purchased the Premium Edition, the reaction would likely look very different.

Sadly, this flaw appears to be exclusive to the Premium Edition, at least for now. It has only just been discovered now that The Outer Worlds 2 is in early access, so it’s currently unclear whether there are other ways to unlock it when the game goes live for everyone else or if it will remain locked to the premium edition of The Outer Worlds 2.