PS4 Game Upgrades on PS5 Will Be Up to Publishers, But Sony Will Offer Flexible Support

Unlike Xbox, PlayStation doesn't have to market 'Smart Delivery' as it should be a no-brainer. Imagine being able to play your PS4 copy of The Last of Us Part II on PS5 then having to buy a PS5 copy to get an upgraded PS5 version.

So, it’s actually being handled the exact same way as Xbox’s Smart Delivery.

Edit: I’m aware that Xbox Smart Delivery is just a marketing term for an upgrade practice that already exists. Microsoft just makes it sound like it’s something they invented that will be universal to all games on their system. They choose their words carefully.

Sony seem to be in a weird middle ground here as Series X can enhance existing games with higher resolutions and framerates, whilst also covering the base of true next gen upgrades with it's smart delivery program. Whereas PS5 it seems they'll play as if they were on a PS4, so would have to be upgraded and then that leads to the possibility of being charged for it.

How GTAV is handled should be interesting

I hope the first part of the final fantasy 7 remake will get crisper textures that it holds up nicely to the continuation.

@carlos82 maybe one of us misunderstands what's being said here but it seems identical to Smart Delivery. How GTA V on PS5 is handled is up to Rockstar, seems they're gonna be selling a standalone online version, but if you have the PS4 copy you should get the PS5 version for free, I think that's why they're giving away GTA dollars to all players leading up to the release.

@carlos82
Imo M$ are giving this the big sell because they don't have much else to sell "at the moment" of course that could all change. Naturally it'll be up to the developer if they want to improve a game. PS5 and series x can't work miracles they can only obey instructions.

If the PS4 version of GTA5 works on ps5 then what is the point of the remaster? I certainly won't be buying it, why they can't shift focus onto GTA6 is beyond me. I really hope the digital versions of games are backwards compatible. I lost licenses to PS2 classics in transition between PS3 and PS4 so didn't buy any PS2 classics this gen. Surely load times will be improved automatically though, Regardless of developer support?

@SanJ1 xbox is more saying there isn't going to be remasters just for the upgrade. Kinda how the original TLOU had one from ps3-ps4 jump.

@SanJ1 I think how its worded leaves a lot of wriggle room for how it can be interpreted but Xbox just said you'll get the version for your console. There was no mention of existing owners getting an upgrade for GTAV just that the online will be standalone and free for 3 months. It would be funny if GTAV could be played at 60fps on series X on launch day and then a year later they tried to sell an upgrade to PS5 owners

@tinCAT-zero arguably yes and Cyberpunk could be the big game they are banking on with it, though we still haven't seen their first party lineup yet

@SanJ1 Sony doesn't have to do everything that MS does. Lol. They follow the beat of their own drum. Get over it. Rockman is spot on. The feature isn't a huge feature, nor is it really a new thing.

@carlos82 the fact that they didn't mention a PS4 to PS5 upgrade of GTA V is a reasonable reason to have doubts, we'll just have to wait and see. If they're planning on selling upgraded versions of PS4 games then they'll have to go extra hard with the exclusives, cause Xbox Series X is already more powerful and has more range in their backwards compatibility... and also Smart Delivery, if that isn't what PlayStation is offering.

@InsertUsername what exactly should I get over? I'm saying Smart Delivery should be a necessity and it shouldn't have to be advertised... similar to advertising the latest console as the most powerful... like, isn't that the point?

"What if Sony stops supporting Cross-Buy?" was as reasonable a concern as "What if Sony fills the box with murderous bees?"

@RedShirtRod isn't that what this is saying? And just like Xbox's Smart Delivery, it's up to the developer/publisher to decide if they wanna do smart delivery or resell... that's what I'm getting from this.

Like I've said elsewhere, MS only need this smart delivery thing because their first party games are going to be released for current and next gen consoles for the next year or two.

Sony aren't going to do that, and have already said their PS5 games are for PS5 only.

For third party games it's up to the publisher for both Series X and PS5. The system is in place if they want to use it, and has been since PS4 was released.

@gomersoul I think the point of the remaster is for new players, meanwhile old players will get the upgrade based on how Rockstar is feeling... if you have to buy it again on PS5 I am willing to bet they'll just bypass Smart Delivery and sell it for Xbox Series X as well.

@SanJ1 to be fair its probably more important feature for Xbox as they're supporting the old consoles longer and third parties will probably ditch PS4 within a year. Where it can become a little awkward for PS5 is the Series X enhancing existing games whereas the developers would have to put some work in for PS5. I would hope that Sony would give us any upgrades on their own games though and I think new games over the next year or so and are cross gen probably will do anyway

@phil_j people keep ignoring the fact that it's up to the publisher. Every PC remake or remaster that I know of, if you owned the old copy, you get the upgrade for free and there was never a specific name for this... system? Or feature?

Do we know if physical copies of ps4 games are also compatible with Ps5? Or is it just digital?

Total backwards compatibility would be nice, but I'll be honest and say that whenever I go back to play older games, barring a few exceptions, I notice just how badly they've aged and lose interest. I'm more concerned about actual PS5 games and their quality.

@carlos82 free PS4 to PS5 upgrades will be great, we just have to wait to see what they have to say about it, so far tho, it seems it's more about the developers than a certain system feature.

@naruball I'd say so, given the majority of games sold this generation were physical I'd assume they would have told us by now if they didn't. At worst it will just download the digital version similar to 360 games on the One

@SanJ1 yeah I think smart delivery is more of a deterrent against companies that want to milk their player base. Developers can always ignore it but that just opens them up to the backlash and calls of greed. I don't think many people are going to promote it like xbox. It'll just be the new norm.

@Agramonte It’s annoying to see so many people not understand it, especially on other sites.

The free upgrade to Destiny 2 has me sold tbh

Star Wars Battlefront 2 please. I max it out at 4k on my pc and It'd be great to see the ps version get some lovin in line with that.

@naruball

I don't think there's been explicit confirmation of this, but it's certainly my assumption.

One thing that does occur to me is that anyone wanting to play many PS4 games (disc or download) on a PS5 would be wise to use a USB HDD to install them onto: PS5 games can only run from the built-in or expansion SSDs, and can be installed piecemeal to save space. A few big PS4 games are quickly going to eat up that precious space.

I just had another thought about cross-gen and upgrades: maybe there are three possible outcomes?

1: Existing PS4 game works on PS5. Games with unlocked framerate or dynamic resolution might get better performance.
2: PS4 game is patched to take advantage of some PS5 features, a bit like a PS4 Pro patch. Maybe performance/resolution modes, support for some new DualSense features, 3D audio, etc.
3: PS4 game re-released for PS5 (either free, upgrade fee or buy again, depending on publisher). Can take advantage of all PS5 features, including storage bandwidth and partial install.

The difference with option 3 is that the game would have to be installed on the SSD. An option 2 Pro-style patch could run from HDD.
Maybe the restriction on where games need to be installed will force publishers to clearly brand things as 'remasters' if they need the SSD? MS will have exactly the same situation with the XSX.

@carlos82 Did not hear about the free GTAV upgrade on Xbox yet so we will see.

@Flaming_Kaiser not saying there is but the Series X can add HDR to games by itself whilst the back compatibility team could double its framerate and make it 4K

@DarthAmmii Same. I actually doubt that there is a large enough player base on either XBox or PlayStation that cares enough about playing first or second gen games for backward compatibility to be a true system seller. Maybe one gen i.e. XBox One games on Series X or PS4 on PS5 but I don’t believe Microsoft are going to sell millions of Series X because you could dig Halo 1 out of a skip somewhere and play it on your Series X.

Microsoft’s horrific mismanagement of first-party titles (and Phil Spencer is as equally to blame as his predecessor imo) and decision to make the X Box One redundant to PC owners by putting everything on Windows has caused them to be left miles behind in this race. Give me a decent game I can only play on Xbox Phil and I’ll buy your console. Not seen one yet.

@Boomtown_Raider Precisely. Plus you have to imagine that even the Microsoft games that do come out will be somewhat compromised because their PC versions will have to accommodate for older GPUs, CPUs and SSDs.

@SanJ1 GTA V online is free to everyone on PS5.

I want all sony first party games & exclusives upgraded for ps5 😃

It's the same as Microsoft. It's also up to publishers on Xbox, it's not all games.

I know its being a snobbish gamer, and I should have waited until PS5 to be sure but I have stopped playing FF7 Remake as the textures are, for me, very distracting! I really hope Square upgrade for free and sort them out!

“ Are there any particular PS4 games that you want to see upgraded on PS5?”

Could start with TLOU2 and Ghost of Tsushima.

@rockman29 Smart Delivery is not “just a buzz word. It is basically the same as Vita/PS3 Cross Buy. You buy only one license, get multiple copies of the game.

The native XSX build is not just additional assets, it’s an entirely different build, a build that can use Raytracing, and potential resolution of up to 8k or frame rate up to 120fps. Different higher resolution assets are, of course, part of the deal.

Just like cross-buy, save files will be automatically shared between both versions via the cloud (no need for XBox live.)

Main difference I can think off between Smart Delivery and Cross-Buy is that SD applies to physical media as well as digital. Also, the online store, there should only be one item under the listing (PS3/Vita crossbuy games always showed both titles as separate items, although never let you add both to your cart.)

Another difference is that a developer can add support for SD after the purchase, while CrossBuy was an on-checkout store feature.

That said, MS does not force any developer to adopt the service. Not many third party have said they will use it, but they have stated all first party games they release, and some they already have released (Gears 5 for example,) will support this.

The big question on any implementation of this in a PS4/5 title will be save file syncing.

Honestly one of the saddest thing of the PS4 generation, for me, was total abandonment of cross buy. It continued to be supported for some indie games, but no major title ever supported it. It would had been a great feature to have Assassins Creed 4 support cross-buy across PS3/PS4.

In particular I want to know what will happen for Cyberpunk.
If the PS5 comes out and the only edition to buy is the PS4 version, it will work because it's backwards compatible.
CDPR can make a PS5 Patch to upgrade the game, if they want to but by default it'll just run like the PS4 version, but from an SSD so faster loading? Or will the PS5 have a boost mode like the PS4 Pro allowing for better resolutions/frame rates with no input from the developer?
That I guess is what I want Sony to confirm.

@carlos82 I rather have the studio's work on their new games instead of sticking with the old that are obselite in a year. I loved my remakes i rather see a remake then a upscaled resolution and a better framerate.

@AyanamiReign

That's kind of what I was getting at with my post above. Cyberpunk will have to work on PS5, minimum is more stable or increased frame rate. You'll get faster loading times, but only if you opt to install on the SSD, rather than on an external HDD. Next option would be a patch with support for some next-gen features, maybe higher quality assets. Final option is a genuine PS5 version that fully utilises the SSD, hardware ray tracing, etc.

@Flaming_Kaiser fair enough

@Flaming_Kaiser I never said 8k at 120. I said up to 8k OR 120fps. And yes I can believe that for more simplistic, non graphically intensive games.

@Tharsman What the gain if i can play a PS2 game at these rates as a example its still an old game. I rather see the studio's move on and give us new games.

@carlos82 I dont hate the feature but arent you happy we got RE2, RE3, and Final Fantasy 7 as a proper remake instead of the framerate, texture and resolution update. Legend of Dragoon would be great too play again but not in that way.

@Flaming_Kaiser fair; you don’t care about older games. We get it. Many of us like to do both: replay older games (as proven by the success of remasters) and play simplistic looking indie games.

Want proof? Go to amazon and look at the top selling Xbox One games, and you will see Call of Duty: Black Ops I + II (BC titles in an XBox One box) and GTAV, a higher res version of a PS3/360 game, in the top 40.

Do the same for PS4 and you get GTAV, TLOU remaster, Bioshock remaster, Minecraft (a ps3 era game that runs on a Switch) among wirh Sponge Bob and Medivel remasters.

I’m not saying you need to care for any of that, but no one can ignore that there is a BIG market for older games that people just love.

@Flaming_Kaiser for remakes like that yeah I love them, but do PS4 games really need the remake treatment? Surely Spider-Man, God of War and Horizon would be great at a straight 4K60fps

@carlos82 Do i really need to play them again is my bigger question i put 100 plus hours in HZD and i have limited time so i rather move on. Great games but why should i play them again. I just bought Parasite Eve 1 for the Playstation 1 never played that so i rather do that. And SotC i loved that remake even when it cames out Remastered of the PS3. 😃

@Flaming_Kaiser I see your point, how about games you've missed? There are plenty I'm only just getting round to such as Hitman 2.

Parasite Eve is a great spin on the Resident Evil formula, that needs remaking 😉

@Tharsman If COD and GTA are the selling no thank you. I rather see them put effort in a remake of games that need it but that is my personal opinion. Medievil was a remake remaster thingy i would have rather see them go the extra mile and see a remake.

@carlos82 Yeah i loved i got too play Tales of Vesperia and many other stuff but please dont use money on games that i rather see get a real comeback. Mercenaries, Koudelka, Legend of Legaia, Syphon Filter and please a real Remake for Dino Crisis. 😆

@Flaming_Kaiser Sony should care, though, since that is money they are losing on, and game publishers love to be able to just keep selling their back catalog.

Even that aside: right now Sony releases TLOU2 and soon is coming Ghost of Tsushima. If I’m to get a PS5, I REALLY want to play those game’s at 4k/60fps, maybe with some ray tracing tossed in.

I don’t actually care what Sony does to match smart delivery for third parties, I’m already decided my multi-platform titles will be bought for the XSX. I want to know, if I buy TLOU2 right now, I can insert that disk on a PS5 and play it 4k/60fps and with any visual improvements without having to buy a separate copy?

Was hoping for 60fps Bloodborne. Will be annoyed if they release a remaster for PS5

Personally, full backward compatibility for PS4 games (with or without enhancements) is top priority. They should focus on that first IMO. I'm aware that they said "most" PS4 games will be playable on PS5, but I have concerns about the timing of their availability, and the possibility of missing some obscure, yet good games, due to the publisher dis-interest or inability to patch their games (example: if the game was developed by an external studio).

As for enhancements, I believe it's fair to keep it up to publishers. I'm all for enhancing past games, whether it's a free patch for the existing version we already bought, or a remaster that need to be re-purchased, as long as the version we previously bought remains accessible on the new console.

Finally, I would like Sony to take notes from Steam / XBox on how to handle BC moving forward (assuming we are getting any more consoles lol). Not only in terms of availability or enhancements, but also in terms of technical design, and how to encorporate BC in licensing games for publishers. I believe one of the major reasons why the PS1 / PS2 classics we purchased on PS3 were not made available on PS4, was that Sony had to re-negotiate the terms with all the publishers (which MS did over their XB1 BC program). I just hope Sony start looking into a root solution for this matter.

@Tharsman I always played on the Sony platform and i probably always will i have no Xbox titles so there is nothing giving me any incentive to get a Xbox. I did have a SNES and a Gamecube maybe a Switch in the future. I bought the Last of Us Part II and if it works on my PS4 and Pro ill be happy. 😆 👌

Still have PS3 games but one thing i found out Once i get the new generation of consoles i dont look back. The only thing i look for are the old obscure games i get physical on disc. Now too look for a American like new PS1.

@Tharsman I can still buy remasters that have put more effort in them so its more usefull for me too get them.

@Tulipanzo Ha! You win this thread!

@carlos82 Yeah, that makes sense.

I want one title to utilize the power of PS5. Cyberpunk!

@carlos82
"And it’s not just limited to games that you purchase digitally; physical discs of Xbox games can  also support Smart Delivery if the developer or publisher decides to  implement it."

This is exactly the same thing Sony have stated. Remember it is the developer/publisher who will take a financial hit from this as they are giving away a free version. As for GTA 5 it is not (currently) on the supported smart delivery list. Actually the smart delivery list is tiny currently.

In regards to upgrading back-compat games, again developer dependant but I very much doubt you will see much of that (maybe a texture pack update). But the sheer fact the consoles are more powerful means a back-combat game with an unlocked frame rate should easily get a boost in frames. This is already the case with games on XOX and PS4 Pro that do not support those consoles natively.

I think people forget there is a financial burden to remasters, so remasters shouldn't be free to existing owners as it is a new game usually developed by a new team with a huge cost. And this is what I bet you will see going forward; games made from a set date that are planned to release on both gens with support this feature. Games like Gears 5 is not a remaster but will just be the PC version with the 4k texture pack. But as that is a Microsoft title there is a reason for them to push the feature to sell consoles, EA do not.

As for Bloodbourne (mentioned above), if you want a remaster then no that shouldn't be free. But if you just want the same game with an unlocked frame-rate (and maybe a high texture patch(still cost)) then that is understandable.

I'd love to see some of the final PS4 titles like The Last of Us 2, Death Stranding and Ghost of Tsushima get upgrades. Spider-Man, FF7R, Bloodborne and God of War would be great too. A few of the big hitters and exclusives, basically.

@DarthAmmii exclusive game never felt old for me take for example uncharted 4

Destiny 2 (confirmed), GTAV (confirmed), Fallout 4, Horizon Zero Dawn, Infamous Second Son, No Man's Sky, Battlefront 2, Injustice 2, Spiderman, Doom and Doom Eternal,.......

@SanJ1 they mentioned if own ps4 version gtav u will get ps5 version free and gta online as standalone free for first months

This is great news, assuming they eventually make this mandatory for all developers/publishers.