Sony doesn’t have a fancy marketing slogan for next-gen upgrades from the PlayStation 4 to the PlayStation 5, but practically every third-party title supporting Smart Delivery on Xbox is also offering a similar solution on the Japanese giant’s family of formats. A report by VGC reveals that Microsoft is actively encouraging publishers to offer both current and next-gen releases at no additional cost, and this is good news for PlayStation fans.
While neither platform holder will want to enforce how publishers sell their games, we’re seeing more and more titles support dual entitlement schemes – including some heavy hitters like FIFA 21 and Madden NFL 21. Even NBA 2K21 is in on the party, and while it’s tied its next-gen upgrade path to the more expensive Mamba Forever Edition, this is still admittedly a better deal than we got when transitioning from the PlayStation 3.
With so many publishers already on board, those that choose to take a different path are going to look bad, and the wider community will not respond well. This could also force Sony’s hand; it’s yet to reveal whether The Last of Us: Part II or Ghost of Tsushima buyers will be able to upgrade to prospective PS5 versions for free, but it’s going to be tough for it to try to flog expensive remasters in this current climate. Good news all around, then.
[source videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 59
I guess the other potential negative side to this is that some of the remasters on PS4 were REALLY well done, but with free upgrades there may not be much incentive to go beyond better resolution and framerate.
Its been funny to see Xbox “Fanboys” use this as getting one over on Sony and being too stupid to realise the reality, my own friends included.
It is great news, no doubt. But I'm wondering if too much time is being spent on the subject. This is only an issue while there is that small transition period which at most is going to be 8 months. Except for FIFA which will undoubtedly keep releasing on the PS4 until the end of days.
Shouldn't the companies be trying to convince the public that yes backwards compatibility is there but the shift and cost is worth investing in? I think that this message is getting a bit lost while there's all the talk of free cross gen upgrades.
@jsw-8 Well, I mean Sony's announced 9 next-gen exclusives so far, so they obviously think this message is important as well. I'm sure we'll learn a lot more about the UI and brand new features soon as well.
I think it's important to get the balance right. Consumers do expect seamless transitions to new products now, so you have to get that aspect correct. But of course, you also have to make the new product new and exciting. I think Sony's got a good balance so far.
@get2sammyb
Yeah, like Mafia 2 remaster;)
@MUG3NHC There have been some rubbish ones, too, no doubt!
Free upgrades good for both. Of course. But ms wants free upgrades to continue this marketing of smart delivery because some consumers don't purchase products, they purchase buzz words.
I much prefer how Microsoft is going about that Sony. Its a very positive selling point for the next gen console. Along with Gamepass Microsoft is offering much better value than Sony.
@Cutmastavictory I agree. I still personally dont see how Smart Delivery is really any different from Cross buy that has been in place for years now.
@blacklivesmatter I consider Sony releasing must have exclusives to be the true value of the brand. Something sorely lacking in Xbox.
@redd214 There is a slight difference - Smart Delivery games share save data, achievements, cross-play (where applicable), etc. Cross-buy treats every version like a separate game, you just only have to pay once.
So if you are playing Cyberpunk 2077 on Xbox One and then get a Series X, you won't have to start over simply because you now get the "upgrade".
Free next gen upgrades is a nice consumer friendly thing to do. Microsoft pushing hard on this will likely cause more PS games to take a similar stance.
I just hope they also remember to add proper Dualsense features compatibility, beyond the graphics I think this is the real game changer.
@GamingFan4Lyf plenty of games do all of that already and have all generation.
@GamingFan4Lyf
That's not a guaranteed part of Smart Delivery. And some PS3 to PS4 cross-buy games, did indeed carry data over, if the game supported cloud saves. GTA Online may do just that, when it drops free for the first 3 months, next year. As although it wasn't free, the data did in fact carry from PS3 to PS4. Actually, it was cross platform, so you could've went from 360 to PS4, PS3 to XB1, or either platform, to PC. So yeah, that aspect is in the hands of the developers.
Are we sure that’s a good thing? If a next gen game has next gen features it’s a different game and means that someone has done some extra work.
NBA2K promises new features and if you also take in consideration that even player’s models can’t be improved with a scalable solution like you’d do with rocks and trees why we should expect a different game for free?
However this whole thing can go on for a year or two, after there won’t be any cross gen game.
Putting the public opinion against developers won’t bring any good. Does every PS4 and XBOX game have a patch for Pro and X? No, so expect many developers to ditch next gen versions of their games altogether if the angry mob starts moaning and making online threats
It's inevitable, given that generational upgrades have to resort to things other than graphics. Today it's lighting and loading times, tomorrow it will be something else, and two generations from now... well, good luck.
If the market decides to raise the rrp of games for this next gen then it's only fair to offer free upgrades for the older titles imo.
As long as i dont lose my great remakes like Shadow of the Collosus for a crappy framerate, resolution, texture upgrade. But in the end i tend not too play old games a lot.
@jsw-8 Totally agree with you on that point. And who is going too ay the costs that wont be going in the new games.
@SZRT_CIC_Ice @GamingFan4Lyf cross saves is not a feature of smart delivery. Think of it this way: smart delivery gives you the assets for the specific version for the system you’re playing on. Nothing more.
There's no money lost in offering free upgrades for sport games. Nobody in their right mind would buy FIFA 21 on PS4 switch to ps5 eventually and then buy it again for the new console when 22 is around the corner.
Story driven games isn't a given though so kudos to cd project red and others who follow suit.
@redd214
If crossbuy is for years at the store, where are these games?
I actually have not seen any ps3/ps4 crossbuy on the store, only ps4/vita ones.
@MarcG420 Yes, it does. Think of it as a rebranding of Xbox Play Anywhere where your saves carry across PC and Xbox - only now it extends into Series X. Microsoft is treating Smart Delivery games as single SKU - EA and others that are doing free upgrades won't guarantee cross-save.
From Xbox Wire specifically about Smart Delivery:
"As was the case with our current backwards compatible titles, you won’t have to worry about losing any progress either. Thanks to our commitment to compatibility across generations, you can be assured that when you purchase a game on Xbox One today, your game library, progression and entire gaming legacy moves forward with you if you jump into the next generation with Xbox Series X."
@Jacko11
Too true. Even on Twitter they seem to think it's an Xbox only thing and that Microsoft 'invented' it.
News flash not only does the same practice exist on PS5 but it's been a thing for half of the current generation when you think about it. In the form of Xbox One X and PS4 Pro 'Enhancements' via a patch.
It's literally the same thing, they're not making a separate game, they're just patching an enhancement to take advantage of the more powerful hardware.
@Murray Don't know everyone off the top of my head but just looking at my trophy list:
Shovel Knight
Destiny 1 (also had a free upgrade option back in 2014)
Sports Friends
Resogun
Rogue Legacy...
Im sure there are plenty more just don't have the will to look into it. Point being its not unheard of and has been around for a while. I'm sure the system they have in place is very streamlined and makes the process very smooth, but its not some revolutionary thing imo.
@GamingFan4Lyf ok so it says moves forward. One way is mentioned, not backwards after...
@redd214
The difference is that MS is pushing it now and use it for their own games too.
As we allready see, there are a couple big publisher allready on board because of MS and that is good for all.
I guess its just hard for PS-fans to acknowledge it, since many prefer to talk it down instead of being happy that it also has positive effects for playstation.
If MS did not push this stuff there would be much less crossbuy games, even if crossbuy is possible for several years.
This is good from Microsoft, and hopefully Sony will do the same. Its good for gamers if they do.
No doubt parasites like EA will be burning with rage over this
@Murray absolutley, its a great thing for us all
I don't think Microsoft or Sony should be dictating what developers do. We want great optimisations not half arsed jobs done because they have to do the work for free. Especially for smaller Devs this could prove financially tricky. You don't go from economy to first class for free. You don't eat at a top class restaurant for the same price as a McDonalds. You don't get a free Xbox Series X by trading in your Xbone. So why should Devs be forced to give us upgrades for free?
@Tacktful free updates are a good way to stimulate sales in an otherwise slow selling or dead game.
@darksoul77 agree with you. I just don't think it should be imposed for all Devs. Favours large Devs and publishers against small and indie Devs struggling to survive
This is good for PS5, but a free next gen upgrade is different from Smart Delivery. Sony have let publishers decide on their own methods of free upgrades, Microsoft are also doing the same but pushing there alternative method which is Smart Delivery.
Smart Delivery is slightly different because it allows cross play between two different generations and you can continue game progression from where you left off on the last generation.
The only issue with the free upgrades through the publishers, they can create their own rules eg add deadlines to when the upgrades can be redeemed. $EA$ are already looking to add deadlines for Madden/Fifa 21, you need to make the upgrade before Madden/Fifa 22 release. Which isn't a problem if you're like me and buy both consoles at launch... but just a warning for everyone else.
PC games have been getting "Smart Delivery" forever. Console games are just locked/optimized for the SKU, based on what the console can do. PC has the settings unlocked, and customizable/optimizable by the user, so PC's as weak as a XB1 or as powerful as a Series X, and everything in between, can run the game how the user desires. Rarely do they do "definitive editions" for PC, and indstead just drop texture packs/updates. So it makes sense that we shouldn't have to pay on consoles for what would essentially be a mere update on PC. I imagine when GTA V/Online updates for PS5/Series X, an update will become available on PC to accommodate it. It's a rip off otherwise in most other games, as they're not recreating the game from the ground up. They're just flicking switches & locking settings. Although, GTA V might just be one of the few that actually do enhancements and actual worthwhile expansions that make it somewhat worth it.
@get2sammyb I can live with framerate. Resolution is just not that important. I have an 120inch screen and a native 4k projector and most people can hardly see the difference between native 4k and upscaled 2k-Bluray. But everybody sees HDR. So much for resolution.
@get2sammyb what's these 9 exclusives ps5 games? Also are these releasing 2020 or 2021 or no date
@jsw-8 I had the exact same thoughts. Its only really an issue at launch. Then, everyone will just be buying PS5 games.
Free upgrades and pay for remasters can both exist.
Free upgrade is for faster booting, frame rate and res.
Paid remaster will take advantage of that and include raytracing, controller features, ssd speed to make world more complex etc.
Now if only physical buyers wouldn't keep getting the middle finger when we want to upgrade our copy fir free.
Lol im looking forward to both. The exclusives will be crazy . I'd prefer no exclusives but what can you do .
@MarcG420 the seamless save syncing is indeed a feature, just as it was on Cross-Buy. When a game is made to support SmartDelivery, it’s a single SKU and the cloud-save system sees it as the same file.
Important note is than on Xbox, a cloud save auto-syncs like DropBox. Ok PS4, a cloud save only auto-upload and you manually must download.
What this means is that you can keep your old Xbox in a second room, and play on each device as you see fit. The save data will auto-sync, regardless if you played on XBox One or Series X.
Weirdly, Sony did exactly this with CrossBuy games between Vita and PlayStation, but won’t do it between two PlayStations.
@redd214 @GamingFan4Lyf my understanding is Cross-Buy also had save sync, but it only ever worked between digitally bought copies (that you bought as a bundle.)
The real difference between Cross Buy and Smart Delivery is that the later supports disks, and a developer can add support for it post-launch. An old game could suddenly get a SmartDelivery version added to it. Another smaller difference is Sony never used Cross-Buy between PS3/PS4. Had a digital copy of TLOU on PS3? Want to play the game you owned on your new hardware? You are still, to this day, forced to buy the remaster on PS4.
Honestly, MS would had nothing to brag about here if Sony had not abandoned Cross Buy when they turned their back in the Vita.
@Tharsman is there any official confirmation of this or are you just guessing?
There is precedence of a save transition being only one way; destiny transition between old gen to new gen and Elderscrolls online - both only moved one way with a gen upgrade. Even if you still played the previous gen versions.
@Tharsman so in essence they evolved a concept that already existed and gave it a catchy name (smart!). PS5 from what we have heard thus far has the same exact thing without the buzzword. Either way it's good for all of us
And no one is "forcing" anyone to buy a remaster lol. That's a conscious decision someone makes.
@MarcG420 this is confirmed in the linked article. It is how cloud saves work on Xbox right now.
Quote from the referenced article:
“In comparison, Smart Delivery games will share a single SKU, all Xbox Live elements – including saves, achievements and more – and launch the correct versions for each console regardless of which generation’s game disc is inserted.”
If the developer does not use SmartDelivery, and just sells two versions of the game, data won’t sync between both.
@redd214 no, so far Sony is not offering anything like this at all for Ps5. All they said is they will work with publishers to offer upgrades as they see fit (discount? Upgrade via DLC? Bundles? Digital download code in the box? Two disks?).
It’s up to the developer to figure out how to sync data, IF they do that.
And Sony also used their “catchy” cross-buy label when they did it. Honestly: they could just start offering cross-buy again for cross-gen. I would love it if they did.
Edited my post to make it clear you are forced to buy again IF you want to play the game Sony made, and Sony sold you, on your new Sony hardware.
@Tharsman we can agree to disagree, but like I said in the end we're all going to be reaping the benefits no matter what!
@redd214 I will only believe that when Sony announces enhanced versions of Death Stranding, TLOU2 and Ghost of Tsushima for free to anyone that inserts a PS4 disk version of those games, or owns a digital copy.
Sincerely hope this happens for everyone’s sake.
@Tharsman well I sincerely hope that happens for you bud, take care!
@Tharsman What linked article? I’ve gone through all official Xbox Information about it and nowhere in that information does it say what you claim it does.
Go ahead and quote where it says that in this official Xbox communique from last month: https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/06/15/what-is-smart-delivery-xbox-series-x/
@MarcG420 the article we are commenting on. the source link at the bottom:
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/next-gen-game-upgrades-should-be-free-xbox-tells-developers/
The quoted paragraph comes from that article.
@Tharsman the problem with your source is nowhere in any official information does it say what that article says. I’d wait for official confirmation before you shout it from the rooftops.
It’s not “my” source. It’s pushsquares source. This site feels it’s believable enough to report on.
@Tharsman well, there’s a difference between what they’re reporting and what you’re doing. You’re saying something is 100% confirmed as being true. Just saying, unnamed sources are wrong about specifics all the time.
My assumption is based on the fact that I own multiple Xboxes(2) and multiple PS4s(3) and that’s how it works on every game for XBox, but sure.
That said: it’s a bigger assumption to think this will in any way benefit PS4>PS5 titles.
@Tharsman “and that’s how it works on every game for Xbox”
I’m sorry, I was unaware that the Xbox series x had already been released and smart delivery rolled out...
@MarcG420 I’m sorry I didn’t realize all this time you were just pretending to not understand.
Have good day!
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