The transition into the next generation of video game consoles has been a shaky one. Due to COVID-19 and part shortages causing stock issues for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, fans haven't been able to easily get their hands on new consoles. As a result, there hasn't been the same hard cut-off that stops new games from releasing on older consoles which usually happens several months into each new generation. This has sparked a new debate around upgrades for games that are releasing on both generations, and if they should be free or if fans should pay more when jumping from a PS4/Xbox One version of a game to the PS5/Xbox Series X version.
All of this has come to a head with the preorder listings for Horizon Forbidden West, which revealed the game would not be receiving a free PlayStation 5 upgrade for PlayStation 4 owners. Some PlayStation fans were upset, as the situation is starkly contrasted with how Microsoft has handled game upgrades, forcing an even further divide between the two platforms.
Sony's Insistence on Customers Paying for Upgrades
After backlash following the Horizon Forbidden West preorder announcements, Sony quickly issued a statement regarding the upgrade. In a move that seems to be good on the surface, the company listened to its fans and announced that all PS4 owners of the game would receive the PS5 upgrade for free in the same way that other games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Sackboy: A Big Adventure did when the system launched. However, the company made it clear that this kind of upgrade will never happen again.
A statement by Sony Interactive Entertainment president and CEO Jim Ryan on the PlayStation Blog post about Forbidden West's preorders said all games launching on the PS4 and PS5 will require a $10 purchase to upgrade from here on out. He specifically mentions both Gran Turismo 7 and the currently untitled God of War sequel so that fans know what to expect from each game's prices.
While it certainly is good that Sony listened to fans, its insistence on splitting the price of games is causing backlash. From a business standpoint, it makes sense why the company wants the extra $10 for PS5 upgrades, as all AAA PS5 games cost $70 compared to the PS4 price of $60. That said, more ill-will is being built up for the company with each subsequent release due to this issue. It makes some fans wonder why Sony doesn't just increase the price of their games to $70 across the board and allow for PS4 fans to upgrade for free when they get their hands on a PS5. There would likely also be backlash to that, but it seems like the constant backlash the company is facing due to inconsistent measures may be causing more problems.
The Convenience of Xbox's Smart Delivery
Often when Sony or Microsoft is in the hot seat for controversial practices, eyes quickly look to the other to see if they're doing the same thing. Microsoft wiped its hands of the whole ordeal before the Xbox Series X/S even launched thanks to its focus on Smart Delivery. At the time, a lot of fans were perplexed by the service as it seemed like a fix for a non-problem, but following the newest console generation's launch it appears Microsoft was getting out ahead of the issue before anyone knew it would be one.
Smart Delivery makes it so that someone who purchased an Xbox One game can easily upgrade to the Xbox Series X/S version without losing their save data, usually for free. Although a small handful of games have asked for an upgrade fee such as Control: Ultimate Edition and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, most don't require a purchase to upgrade, and even if they do they are very clear about it.
The Future of Sony and Microsoft's Views on Upgrades
It seems both Sony and Microsoft have given fans a clear vision of the future over the last year or so in terms of upgrades for their titles across both console generations. Sony made it clear that cross-generation games will cost money for upgrades, despite the way it might make the company look in the eyes of its fans. Fans in the past have made guides to know where they'll be able to purchase each game, and if they'll be able to upgrade them for free.
Xbox, on the other hand, has been more consumer-friendly ever since the release of the Series X/S. The company doesn't seem to want to leave anybody behind if they own a Xbox console, which is why Smart Delivery has been such a great selling point. What's more, with the announcement that xCloud is coming to the Xbox One, allowing for Series X games to be streamed to the older system, it's clear that the company wants fans to be able to play its latest games no matter how they do it.
Both Sony and Microsoft are paving their own ways into the future of gaming, and as they drift further apart, comparisons will become more important to see what strategies are working with which company. Hopefully, both are successful and can figure out the best ways to deal with cross-generational titles soon.