Update: Previously, PlayStation had gone back on its word with PS4 to PS5 upgrades for its games. Now, after some negative press and frustration from gamers, they have reverted on its policy. According to the recent post on the PlayStation Blog, there’s now a free upgrade path for Horizon Forbbiden West for the PS4 to PS5. In addition to this, first-party exclusive upcoming cross-gen games will include a small upgrade fee of $10. This includes digital and physical PS4 to PS5 upgrades.
Here’s what PlayStation’s President and CEO Jim Ryan had to say regarding the recent change of events;
Thursday was to be a celebration of Horizon Forbidden West and the amazing team at Guerrilla working to deliver it on February 18, 2022. However, it’s abundantly clear that the offerings we confirmed in our pre-order kickoff missed the mark.
Last year we made a commitment to deliver free upgrades for our cross-gen launch titles, which included Horizon Forbidden West. While the pandemic’s profound impact pushed Forbidden West out of the launch window we initially envisioned, we will stand by our offer: Players who purchase Horizon Forbidden West on PlayStation 4 will be able to upgrade to the PlayStation 5 version for free.
I also want to confirm today that moving forward, PlayStation first-party exclusive cross-gen titles (newly releasing on PS4 & PS5)–both digital and physical*–will offer a $10 USD digital upgrade option from PS4 to PS5. This will apply to the next God of War and Gran Turismo 7, and any other exclusive cross-gen PS4 & PS5 title published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
— Jim Ryan, President & CEO, Sony Interactive Entertainment
Again, I’m happy to see that PlayStation reverted its original stance, even if it required a massive outcry of frustration from the same audience that Jim Ryan was claiming he didn’t want to leave behind.
That all said, Microsoft/Xbox does the same thing, but for free. Why can’t PlayStation, do the same? That’s a question for Jim Ryan, who I would love to see him answer.
Original story below:
Well, it looks like there’s a bit of frustration going on, thanks to the recent reveal of the Horizon Forbidden West pre-orders. While PlayStation had originally claimed that anyone who purchased the PS4 version of the game could upgrade to the PS5 version, there appears to be some backtracking going on. While anyone who purchases the digital deluxe versions and above is still eligible for the free upgrade, this doesn’t apply to those who only purchase the standard or special editions. And this is the source of contention for many.
Right smack on the pre-order announcement page, PlayStation has stated that anyone looking to own both the PS4 and PS5 versions of the game will need to purchase the digital deluxe Horizon Forbidden West or the above versions. Meaning if you only purchase the standard edition (physical or digital) for the PS4 and then manage to acquire a PlayStation 5 console, you won’t be able to play the PlayStation 5 version of the game. At least not for free, as you’ll have to purchase the game all over again. That’s pretty much a silly move by PlayStation if I say so myself.
For players looking to have access to both the PS4 & PS5 versions of Horizon Forbidden West, please purchase the Digital Deluxe, Collector’s, or Regalla Editions. Dual entitlement does not apply to the standard and Special Editions.
This won’t be a big deal for some, as they’ll just purchase the digital deluxe version and be content with that. For others, this is problematic. If I want a physical version of the game, I’ll have to shell out either $59.99 or the standard version and then another $69.99 whenever a PlayStation 5 magically appears at my feet because that’s the only way to get a physical version of the game.
Whatever happened to the promise that “The PS4 digital versions of launch games include a free upgrade on both the PS5 consoles, while the PS4 disc versions of these games include a free upgrade on the PS5 with the Ultra HD Blu-Ray disc drive.” Those are PlayStation’s words, not mine. Either PlayStation forgot about this, or they don’t care. Playing devil’s advocate for a moment, there are two versions of this statement out there. The other version states this is only valid for launch games — which Horizon Forbidden West is no longer. Still, I feel PlayStation should at least honor that.
What’s ironic is on the other side of the fence, Xbox, with its Smart Delivery, will provide gamers who own both the digital or physical copies of its games with a free upgrade to the Xbox Series X|S versions. That is as long the developer allows for it, and there have been some cases where they haven’t — I’m looking at you 2K Games. For Microsoft’s own developed and published titles, such as Forza Horizon 5 and Halo Infinite, those games will let Xbox One owners move up to the Xbox Series X|S versions, both physical and digital when they’re ready. This also applies to other games such as Gears 5, Forza Horizon 4, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Scarlet Nexus, etc. If Xbox is doing it, why isn’t PlayStation?
Now, one can argue that this statement was only for PS5 launch window games, which Horizon Forbidden West was supposed to be until it got delayed.
For those who own a PlayStation 5, this isn’t a big deal at all. For PlayStation 4 owners, well, that’s another story. This wouldn’t be so bad if there were an upgrade path where PS4 to PS5 physical versions owners weren’t required to pay another 60+ dollars. Except there isn’t one. There’s no physical upgrade path at all.
This is a crappy move on PlayStation’s part and one I hope they revisit and adjust because it would be the right thing to do. I mean, they are for the gamers and such.
Did originally plan on picking up the plain jane version of Horizon Forbidden West, only to upgrade to the PS5 version when it was possible? If so, does this change things for you? Let us know in the comments.
Horizon Forbidden West releases on February 18th, 2022, for both the PS4 and PS5.
[source blog.playstation.com,]