Microsoft Encourages All Publishers To Employ Smart Delivery

Smart Delivery allows you to purchase a game on Xbox One, and then receive a free upgrade to the Series X version if/when you decide to upgrade.

This is a very pro-consumer move from Microsoft. They have already confirmed all of their first-party titles will feature Smart Delivery. That they are encouraging third-party developers to do the same is a very positive move. Whether they all agree to this is another matter, and it’s worth pointing out that it is just recommended, not mandatory.

2K has already announced that it won’t be extending this to NBA 2K21, with the studio stating it will be increasing the price of its AAA games by $10. Instead, 2K is offering a two-game deluxe edition, which will allow users to play both versions.

I’m sure many more publishers will be on-board with free upgrades, as not doing so may put people off buying their games if they intend to upgrade their console within a few months. By which time, there are likely to be other games on their radar.

Third-party games confirmed to be offering free next gen upgrades include:

• Cyberpunk 2077
• FIFA 21
• Destiny 2
• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
• Far Cry 6

Microsoft, although not enforcing free upgrades, has encouraged devs and publishers to offer some sort of reduction or bundled multi-platform editions in lieu of adopting Smart Delivery.

A Microsoft spokesperson, in a statement published by VGC, has stated that, “developers and publishers ultimately decide how they deliver their games, and we work with them to provide the best possible experience based on their needs.”

Have you decided which next-gen console to go for? Has Microsoft’s focus on games and choice for consumers changed your decision, or are you switching to PS5 or PC going forward?

There’s so much excellent choice for gamers, we can’t wait to see how the battle for supremacy unfolds.

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