In an interview with Digital Spy, Sony’s UK Managing Director, Fergal Gara, has discussed the previously announced “upgrade path” between PS3 and PS4, and just how much it will cost to transition to next-gen with all your favourite current generation games.
The scheme, which will grant owners of current-gen titles discounts on the same game’s next-gen digital release will require users to verify their PS3 version, before receiving a discount – or new “upgrade price” – for the PS4 download.
On the matter of how much the upgrade will cost, and how long after a game’s launch users will see the offer however, Gara said “The publisher gets to define that”, continuing “Time window and price window has yet to be defined. Time window is probably more business policy for PlayStation, perhaps, but the premium will be defined by the publisher.”
Activision have already announced that whilst game stats, XP and season pass content will carry over free of charge, their fee for a Call Of Duty Ghosts ‘upgrade’ in this fashion will be £10, which, considering the RRP differences between current and next-gen titles is a surprisingly good deal. It’s not very often I say this, but let’s hope other publishers follow Activision’s lead.
I’m personally still scratching my head as to why you’d buy any title twice, let alone Call Of Duty.
djhsecondnature
Get to play a game for anywhere from a month to who knows how long and then pay a nominal fee to get the next-gen version of that game (which is significantly improved, not just the same thing on another platform)? You best stop scratching Adam.
3shirts
It will be the same thing on another platform though. Sure it might be a bit prettier but it’s not gonna be a huge difference and if you are planning to get the next gen version, why not just wait?
djhsecondnature
Well it’s not just “prettiness” there will be big advances in AI and mechanics in the next-gen versions.
And as for “why wait”? Depending on how long this promotion lasts, say I’m not getting a PS4 until February…
CarBoyCam
For certain current gen games whose limited editions won’t be arriving on next gen this looks like it could be a brilliant idea. That is of course providing the upgrade fee is sensible (like Ghosts). It’ll be interesting to see how they prevent people from trading in their current gen games after getting the discount though… ;) Unless they’ll require you to put the PS3 Blu-ray into your PS4 as a form of authentication?
Adam Guest
In my opinion, the next-gen Ghosts isn’t looking like a “signicant improvement” over what the PS360 versions will bring, but aye, it’s still a stonker of a deal for those who want it twice. Personally, one or t’other will be fine.
djhsecondnature
It’s not just Ghosts though. It’s Watch Dogs, Battlefield 4 and Assassin’s Creed IV so far as well.
cnutard
For me this is perfect for Battlefield 4, if I can see the disc version. It’s a game I will never sell on so I don’t mind having the digital copy on my PS4. Plus afaik, BF4 PS3 version is only 24 players still(?), where PS4 version is 64 players. Nothing beats 64 player maps.
Starman
So you need to keep the ps3 disc version and that enables you to play the ps4 version. Interesting way to do it, good that you won’t need to have purchased the digital version.
tatoemonkey
I kinda think it’s a no brainer buy the ps3 hardened version then upgrade to the ps4 when it lands all for the same price I would pay for ps4 version anyway. Will I get the dlc and everything on both consoles as well?
AnimaOnline
This is a pretty neat promotion and one that I’m sure will pay off for Sony 4 or 5 months down the line when the deadline draws near. News will go out that Sony’s promotion will be ending shortly and then gamers will be forced to reconsider whether they want to upgrade to next gen. Waiting will come at the cost of being able to upgrade some of their favourite games for a fraction of the price. This isn’t aimed at people who’re going next gen on day one, it’s aimed at those who’re on the fence about upgrading at all.
Eldave0
Seems like a good deal to me. Buy the game on day-one, enjoy it, then upgrade to the dedicated server version a month later for a small fee. Makes sense to me.
FIFA makes the most sense though given there is a large difference between the PS3 and PS4 release dates.
Starman
Only the xbox1 has dedicated servers for CoD. Unless I missed something.
leeroye
So you only need to verify the disk at the time of purchase. Then you can sell it on and keep playing your digital version. Sounds like you could get a few games cheap via renting the ps3 version then only paying a tenner for the PS4 digital copy!!
hazelam
have they revealed how your copy will be verified yet?
Airiaen
I’d just rather just buy the PS4 disc versions really but for downloads I hope they’d do the same cross buy scheme on the Vita, buying one game for three platforms would be so dandy.
gaffers101
The Last of Us was my last PS3 purchase for this year. I’ll just be clearing up my PS+ games until the end of November.
Klart
Well some people buy the exact same game (regular & import) twice at full price for a double Platinum. So buying the next gen for an extra 10 doesn’t sound bad at all.