As announced at Gamescom, you’ll be able to upgrade selected PS3 games to the PS4 versions for a small fee, meaning that you won’t have to wait until Sony’s new console launches to play the games, and that the graphical upgrade will be noticeable.
So, when you buy a disc or digital copy of Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts, NBA 2K14 or Watch Dogs, you’ll be able to spend £9.99 (or £11.99 in the case of NBA) to receive a download copy of the title on PS4.
You won’t be able to trade in the PS3 game, however – you’ll need that disc in your PS4’s disc slot in order to launch the game. This prevents trade-ins, so don’t expect to get a PS4 game for £15 in the case of Watch Dogs.
It’s not a code to download them, either – after activation on the PS3, you’ll simply go to the PS store on the PS4 and see the game at the discounted price.
Oddly, in the step-by-step instructions, Sony warn you not to have the PS3 disc in the PS4 before downloading as it could cause the game to malfunction. They might just be covering themselves here, but it seems odd that having a disc in the PS4’s drive while downloading could affect the install process.
This all sounds good to me – it’s essentially just like putting a disc in and playing as standard. You’ll only have a limited time to activate your PS3 copy, however, – until the 31st of January for Assassin’s Creed IV and Watch Dogs, the 28th of March for Battlefield 4 and the 31st of March for Call of Duty: Ghosts and NBA 2K13.
Source: EU PS Blog
TheShepanator
This now seems a little less generous, but I guess it’s a scheme targeted at people that really cannot just wait to get the ps4 version.
hol
Hmm, wonder if this activation is a one time deal or everytime?
Stefan L
Not sure I follow, but each code is unique, and there’s one included with each game. You can only use a code once, and it then gives you the opportunity to buy the upgrade to the PS4 version.
hol
Sorry, meant about inserting the disc, every time we boot a game or just the first time? Either way, a bit of a pain.
Stefan L
Ah. That’d be every time, I’m afraid. It’d be like you had the game on disc for PS4 to start off with, or, more accurately, like you’d installed the game to the HDD X360/X1 style.
cam the man
Good to know, but I’ll think I’ll wait until the PS4 to play Watch Dogs. Want full PS4 experience for it.
KeRaSh
I wonder if the FFXIV PS4 upgrade works like this, too.
2ofclubs
Better than that apparently. You get a digital version of the PS4 version, and the beta, for FREE. Whether this pertains to just digital copies via the PSN or disc based as well. That said you’ll lose the rights to play it on PS3 though, so one or the other.
http://www.siliconera.com/2013/09/19/final-fantasy-xivs-ps3-to-ps4-account-transfer-is-free-but-you-lose-the-ps3-version/
blarty
I’ve got COD:Ghosts, BF4 and AC: Black flag on pre order for PS4 anyway, so it’s not a big issue, but I’ll have to abstain from the PS3 versions….
gaffers101
Same here, going to be difficult when every ones talking about them but no more new games until PS4, that’s my promise to myself!
blarty
I’ll have to be content with catching up on TLoU and PS+ games until November… Although I might be able to swing a purchase of Beyond though
Kennykazey
I’ll hold out until the next gen for these.
bigchrissyc
Nice too see im getting charged more for NBA! Haha. At least they have officially released how it will work now.
Bilbo_bobbins
The only game I want to upgrade is BF4, the rest I’ll be just buying on PS4.
matthangzhou
Got battlefield 4 for £5.95 on preorder then £9.99 to upgrade to the ps4 version sounds good to me.
ron_mcphatty
Sounds like a good system to me, and very decent pricing for the upgrade.