Cyberpunk 2077 - PS5 Free Upgrade Expected Second Half 2021

[Mavrick]

Cyberpunk 2077 PS4 will get a free upgrade for PlayStation 5

Before a "more robust" next-gen version down the line.

Cyberpunk 2077's PS4 version will be playable on PlayStation 5 as soon as the game launches, developer CD Projekt Red has said.

Anyone with a PS4 copy will be able to play that on PS5 and receive a free update to improve the game's visuals on Sony's next-gen machine.

The news, confirmed last night in an investor call, follows CD Projekt Red's announcement in February it would support Microsoft's Smart Delivery initiative for Xbox - meaning the free upgrade will work the same there for Xbox One copies on Xbox Series X.

The developer further clarified that this would not be the final update to buff the next-gen version of Cyberpunk 2077. A beefier version of the game optimised for Microsoft and Sony's new machines will follow down the line - perhaps some time down the line - but again be available to PS4 and Xbox One owners free of charge.

"I can confirm this is not the final update," CD Projekt exec Michał Nowakowski said. "At some point we will have a more robust update for next-gen which we plan to give free of charge to anyone who purchases the PS4 or Xbox One version.

"But in any case you will be able to play the game on next-gen from 19th November when the game releases and it will look better than on current-gen from that moment as well."

When questioned on the timing of the "proper" next-gen version, CD Projekt could not confirm it would arrive in 2021.

With yesterday's delay of Cyberpunk 2077 until 19th November, CD Projekt unsurprsingly acknowledged that the game's unannounced single-player expansions and mysterious multiplayer portion would also shuffle back.

Single-player expansions are not "in a drawer" somewhere but still need to be made, the developer said, while multiplayer was still "distant" anyway.

One final note - CD Projekt's comments suggest the developer is working under the assumption PlayStation 5 will be available by the release of Cyberpunk 2077 on 19th November. All things can get delayed, of course, but it's promising to hear the game could be playable on next-gen straight away.

[Blu Lemmy]

Sold.

[Mavrick]

I guess I'll be buying the PS4 version to play on the PS5 since it doesn't seem like we will see an actual next ge version for at least a year after the PS4 version is out.

[NARMAK]

Given the date of release, it seems curious but i'd wager CDPR are taking their time to actually figure out where they can specifically optimise for next gen hardware and will use the PS4 version running on PS5 and for MS too as a test bed for it. Personally i'm happy to hear them reveal this and it's funny and sad. Puts the Sony messaging to shame. It honestly does.

Even moreso when you consider how much simpler it would have been for Sony to support it and basically get brownie points with the gamers.

[Mavrick]

I might me missing something here, but what is sony doing that is wrong here?

They have said every game released from July has to work on the PS5 and that upgrades to PS5 versions are down to the developer.

I thought it was the same with Xbox? Just look out for that small print that says the free upgrade is only valid until X date though as that seems to be the case with EAs games. So you cant wait for the xbox one version to get cheap then get a free upgrade to the XSX version as it's a limited time offer.

[NARMAK]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

I might me missing something here, but what is sony doing that is wrong here?

They have said every game released from July has to work on the PS5 and that upgrades to PS5 versions are down to the developer.

I thought it was the same with Xbox? Just look out for that small print that says the free upgrade is only valid until X date though as that seems to be the case with EAs games. So you cant wait for the xbox one version to get cheap then get a free upgrade to the XSX version as it's a limited time offer.

It's the way they're communicating the whole thing which i find wrong.

Sony have few 1st party exclusives that could release on PS5 compared to the MS commitment of 2 years for X1 and Series X. All they had to say was all PS4 titles releasing on PS5 from Sony studios will be given a free upgrade. Job done on that side and like MS say publishers have to opt in.

Instead Sony says "It's up to Publishers" and then basically doesn't say anything for itself. I don't know if this is some bizarre way to basically hold off being that specific until after Ghost of Tsushima so as to not affect sales but if you're getting a free upgrade to next gen, i don't see why most would wait?

I dunno, it's just in my head i don't understand why they decided to word it like it is and leave room for confusion

[Mavrick]

Ah I see what you mean.

I think I'm ok with it simply because I'm not looking to buy anything until PS5 launches. As long as I know Cyberpunk will work day one with improvements I'm fine. I'm mostly looking forward to proper PS5 titles more than playing PS4 games on there.

The noise the Pro makes gas put me off playing anything. I still have Star Wars that I haven't even started not even going to bother looking at Last of Us or Ghosts until PS5 hits.

Hopefully by then it will be a lot clearer what the situation is.

[Talal86]

It is all confusing, I think we won't know what's what until users get a hold of the system

what's clear is, Cyberpunk will get a ps5 patch

[Talal86]

We are happy to confirm that Cyberpunk 2077 will be backwards compatible with both next-gen consoles! Your PS4 copy of the game will work on PS5 on launch day. Anyone who buys the game on Xbox One will be able to play their copy on Xbox Series X when the console launches too!

A later upgrade to Cyberpunk 2077, taking full advantage of the next-gen hardware, will be available for free.

from their twitter account

[Mavrick]

Yeah that's what it says in OP it was just the overall message from sony RE upgrades wasnt clear. CDPR has made it very clear that the PS4 version will work on PS5 day one with improvements over the PS4 Pro version and then a full PS5 version will be released although date isn't confirmed and they wouldn't commit to a 2021 date.

[Talal86]

yeah, if we could get The Witcher 3 upgrade as well.. that would be great

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by NARMAK

It's the way they're communicating the whole thing which i find wrong.

Sony have few 1st party exclusives that could release on PS5 compared to the MS commitment of 2 years for X1 and Series X. All they had to say was all PS4 titles releasing on PS5 from Sony studios will be given a free upgrade. Job done on that side and like MS say publishers have to opt in.

Instead Sony says "It's up to Publishers" and then basically doesn't say anything for itself. I don't know if this is some bizarre way to basically hold off being that specific until after Ghost of Tsushima so as to not affect sales but if you're getting a free upgrade to next gen, i don't see why most would wait?

I dunno, it's just in my head i don't understand why they decided to word it like it is and leave room for confusion

Yeah I don't need to rehash my rant from yesterday but I 100% agree with you. Their messaging in all this, compared to MS' messaging has been complete amateur hour!

[TheWildWhelk]

This is pathetic; CDPR are so hard up for cash and running late on the development of the game for present gen systems that the best they can offer us for the PS5 is an update for those that are totally desperate to have some kind of improved version of the new console whilst they work on a 'true' next-gen version. I will put down serious money that when that version arrives it will specifically look no better than the pc version running at the highest settings, which pc owners will get at launch. The assets for that version are already done, why can't they make use of those for the PS5 update!

[Mavrick]

Originally Posted by TheWildWhelk

This is pathetic; CDPR are so hard up for cash and running late on the development of the game for present gen systems that the best they can offer us for the PS5 is an update for those that are totally desperate to have some kind of improved version of the new console whilst they work on a 'true' next-gen version. I will put down serious money that when that version arrives it will specifically look no better than the pc version running at the highest settings, which pc owners will get at launch. The assets for that version are already done, why can't they make use of those for the PS5 update!

I honestly don't know how simple it is to just port a PC version over to consoles.

I'm sure if it were that simple then they would do it straight away. Either way XSX and PS5 versions will be a year or more away and it will be a free upgrade when it does get here so I can't really complain.

[TheWildWhelk]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

I honestly don't know how simple it is to just port a PC version over to consoles.

I'm sure if it were that simple then they would do it straight away. Either way XSX and PS5 versions will be a year or more away and it will be a free upgrade when it does get here so I can't really complain.

If it turns out that the X2 version looks better than the PS5 version that is going to be embarrassing for Sony right at launch; it would mean that CDPR are having difficulty with the PS5 hardware and have found it easier to work with the X2's technology. I'm going to hold off until the genuine X2/PS5 version drops. We've waited this long, waiting a further year shouldn't be hard.

[NARMAK]

Originally Posted by TheWildWhelk

This is pathetic; CDPR are so hard up for cash and running late on the development of the game for present gen systems that the best they can offer us for the PS5 is an update for those that are totally desperate to have some kind of improved version of the new console whilst they work on a 'true' next-gen version. I will put down serious money that when that version arrives it will specifically look no better than the pc version running at the highest settings, which pc owners will get at launch. The assets for that version are already done, why can't they make use of those for the PS5 update!

I don't quite know what you mean by they're hard up for cash tbh.

In fact, offering a PS4 game an extra patch to PS5 level of performance for free, not just running it at the same level for PS4 Pro is great and THEN on top of that, a FREE upgrade to an actual PS5 version when it's ready. That's a bloody amazing consumer friendly company if you ask me. Especially since they as a 3rd party could have pulled R* on you and expect you to double/triple dip as they appear to be ready to do on GTA V for PS5.

[Mavrick]

It's worth pointing out in case it wasn't clear that neither XSX or PS5 versions will be ready until at least 1 year after release.

XSX and PS5 will both play the Xbox One and PS4 versions of the game via BC with enhancements. So both platforms will be on equal footing. It will be interesting to see how both console handle backwards compatibility and I'm sure this will be a go to title for a DF analysis.

Base PS4 vs Base Xbox One
PS4 Pro vs Xbox One X
PS5 BC vs XSX BC
PS5 Native vs XSX Native

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by Mavrick

I honestly don't know how simple it is to just port a PC version over to consoles.

Because of the X86 Architecture in both consoles porting is actually very easy now for these developers to port their games to these machines. Both systems are essentially PC's in today's day in age. If the assets are already completed (which they are) porting can be done in a matter of days, it would then probably take 3-6 months to optimize for the PS5/Series X and ensure there are no bugs. As they are both closed systems a developer can really do some cool things to make sure it runs perfect. Once the image is approved it takes 30-60 days to press and mass manufacture the versions.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by TheWildWhelk

If it turns out that the X2 version looks better than the PS5 version that is going to be embarrassing for Sony right at launch; it would mean that CDPR are having difficulty with the PS5 hardware and have found it easier to work with the X2's technology. I'm going to hold off until the genuine X2/PS5 version drops. We've waited this long, waiting a further year shouldn't be hard.

LOL developers have been on record saying PS5 is the easiest console to develop for ever. Why would CDPR have difficulty?

As for one looking better,dude come on. You guys have got to get past that extra 1.8 teraflop. Games on both consoles are going to be so similar, you're going to need a magnifying glass to tell any difference. This will be like trying to compare Subway Runner on the latest iPhone and Galaxy phones.

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

LOL developers have been on record saying PS5 is the easiest console to develop for ever. Why would CDPR have difficulty?

As for one looking better,dude come on. You guys have got to get past that extra 1.8 teraflop. Games on both consoles are going to be so similar, you're going to need a magnifying glass to tell any difference. This will be like trying to compare Subway Runner on the latest iPhone and Galaxy phones.

its been said before Teraflops are a made up number to appease the crowds it really means nothing. You need to look at the APU specs and both consoles are within 100 Mhz of each other while under load on multiple cores, the real test is going to be Sonys claim that the nVme tech which is 6x faster on Ps5 is better for GPU performance then the Series X