PS4 to PS5 Game Upgrades Up to Publisher’s Discretion – Report

While Sony has been impressing with its showcase of PS5 exclusives, we’re still waiting to hear more about how PS4 games will be upgraded for the console. After all, Microsoft has Smart Delivery which allows supported games on Xbox One to receive a free upgrade for Xbox Series X when they’re available. According to a spokesperson for Sony Interactive Entertainment in Japan though, it doesn’t seem like there’s a unified standard in place.

The spokesperson replied to GameSpark (of which a rough translation is available) and noted that, “We will flexibly support the (publisher) upgrade plan provided by each title.” Otherwise, it’s up to the publisher’s discretion whether they decide to offer upgrades or not. It’s still unknown whether Definitive Editions for PS4 titles on the PS5 will address this.

It’s worth noting that Smart Delivery is also up to the discretion of different publishers and developers. Thus far, a number of third party titles like Yakuza: Like A Dragon, Scarlet Nexus and Metal: Hellsinger have been confirmed to support Smart Delivery. As for the PS5, we’re also waiting to hear Sony’s official statement on which PS4 games will be backwards compatible.

Either way, expect more details on this in the coming months. The PlayStation 5 is currently slated to release in holiday 2020.

Apparently the update program for PS4>PS5 software copies will be done at the publisher's own discretion, but SIE stated that they will flexibly support these upgrades even in Japan as well
(note that it's still unknown whether they deal with PS4>PS5DE)https://t.co/GIrsbjqg45 pic.twitter.com/UKDkMoPkgn

— 黒凧 BlackKite (@bk2128) June 17, 2020