Horizon Forbidden West lack of free PS5 upgrade isn't a surprise – but it's still sad to see

Horizon Forbidden West received’t embrace a free PS5 upgrade for those who purchase the sport on PS4, a transfer that shouldn’t come as a shock to anybody at this level. And but, that’s precisely the kind of response I’ve seen taking the web by storm since Sony made the announcement: a combine of frustration, surprise, and even disbelief.

But why?

I’ve been banging this drum for a whereas now, but the PS5 isn’t good worth in contrast to Xbox Series X. That’s not to say it isn’t a incredible console, with a revolutionary controller and a few really incredible video games. But it looks as if Sony can’t assist itself when it has a chance to wring the coffers of PlayStation shoppers.

We’ve seen from the outset that Sony’s generosity doesn’t span very far when it comes to PS5. Whether it’s the $70 / £70 price ticket for first-party exclusives, PS Now not together with any PS5 video games, not having the ability to use your current DualShock 4 controllers (except its to play PS4 video games), or locking PS5 options behind Director’s Cut re-releases, Sony’s technique of capitalizing on the attract of PS5 titles has been clear for fairly a while.

That’s not to say Sony has been all unhealthy, although. The PS Plus Collection lets subscribers download 20 video games, and we’ve seen some pleasing free 60fps updates to titles like Days Gone, God of War, The Last of Us 2, and most not too long ago, Horizon: Zero Dawn. Sony’s Play at Home initiative was additionally a good contact.

But now, whether or not Sony realizes it or not, it’s actively punishing those that are unable to purchase a PS5 by the way it’s dealing with Horizon Forbidden West’s restrictive upgrade path.

Horizon Forbidden West

(Image credit score: Sony)

Picture this all too frequent scene: you’re a PlayStation gamer, excited to soar into the following technology with PS5. Like 1000's of others, although, you haven’t been ready to purchase the elusive new console but. So what do you do when Horizon Forbidden West comes out?

If you purchase the sport on PS4 when it releases on February 22, 2023 for $60 / £60, you’ll get to get pleasure from Aloy’s subsequent journey immediately. Pick up a PS5 down the road, nevertheless, and also you’ll be caught with the last-gen model of the sport. No upgrade can be supplied, so if you'd like to play the PS5 model of the sport... nicely, be ready to half with $70 / £70 to accomplish that. Ouch.

But wait, there's a resolution! On PlayStation’s FAQ web page for pre-ordering the sport, Sony has supplied a resolution:

“To access both the PS4 and PS5 versions of Horizon Forbidden West, you need to purchase the Digital Deluxe, Collector’s or Regalla Editions. Dual entitlement does not apply to the Standard and Special Editions.”

The Horizon Forbidden West Digital Deluxe Edition prices $80 / £80 but does include a few further ins and outs – in-game assets pack, digital comedian ebook and so on. – which positively isn’t an try by Sony’s to masks the actual fact it’s asking for extra money for one thing that would have been free.

Playing a completely different recreation

Mercedes AMG One racing through the streets of Mexico

(Image credit score: Playground Games)

Horizon Forbidden West’s lack of free upgrade isn’t a good search for Sony, then, but it’s much more ugly while you notice that Microsoft does the polar reverse when it comes to next-gen upgrades.

Thanks to its Smart Delivery system, Microsoft grants gamers the Xbox Series X|S model of each title it releases for free. Xbox Smart Delivery detects for those who’re taking part in an Xbox One recreation on both Xbox Series X|S and robotically offers you the very best model (for free).

Already personal Halo: The Master Chief Collection on Xbox One? There’s a free upgrade ready for you for those who ever purchase an Xbox Series X|S. Gears 5? Enjoy a free upgrade. Sea of Thieves? Arrgggh, ye guessed it, me hearties: a free upgrade.

And what about video games that haven’t been launched but, like Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5? Well, for those who had been to buy or play both of these titles on Xbox One, you’ll be surprised to know that sure, these can be upgraded – for free – must you ever decide up an Xbox Series X|S down the road. They’re additionally each on Xbox Game Pass from day one, so that you received’t have to spend $140 simply to expertise them both.

Xbox Smart Delivery additionally grants you the last-gen variations of a recreation, too, so for those who determine to hop in your getting older Xbox One X and purchased a recreation on Xbox Series X|S, you’ll robotically be given the last-gen model too. Sounds utterly honest and cheap, proper? Well, that’s as a result of it's.

Forbidden entry

Jin Sakai from Ghost of Tsushima looking down at his katana.

(Image credit score: Sucker Punch)

So ought to Sony be dragged over scorching coals for its newest determination to cost for a PS5 upgrade? Well, probably not, even whether it is relatively distasteful. Sony is simply capitalizing on the ravenous demand for PlayStation 5, and its technique have to be paying dividends if the corporate is continuous to make the identical selections. But I can’t subscribe to the concept of double-dipping or paying upgrade charges for video games I already personal.

If there’s one factor that has made this technology so fulfilling – for me, not less than – it’s been how builders have rewarded players with new and up to date variations of titles that they might have already bought. Yes, it’s unprecedented in contrast to earlier generations, but very like how PC players reap the rewards of upgrading their {hardware} with prettier video games and higher efficiency, it’s been a very long time coming within the console area.

Horizon Zero upgrade

You may argue that Sony is clinging on to a mannequin that's outdated and virtually elitist compared to Microsoft’s Xbox Smart Delivery system. Is it honest that a fan of Horizon Zero Dawn be compelled to pay $20 / £20 extra simply to make sure that they received’t be hit with a $70 / £70 price in the event that they ever need to play the sport on PS5? Absolutely not. Can Sony get away with it? Probably, although that doesn’t imply it ought to.

Unfortunately, it’s seemingly that Sony will follow this method if Gran Turismo 7 and God of War: Ragnarok do certainly come to PS4 in addition to PS5. And so long as PlayStation 5 consoles proceed to be as arduous to discover as a needle in a haystack, you'll be able to wager that extra shoppers can be coerced into having to spend greater than they really ought to. Whether Sony is profitable with this technique is determined by one factor, of course: if shoppers take a stand towards it, or not.