Fallout 4's free next-gen upgrade for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC arrives nearly a decade after the post-apocalyptic sequel’s original release. Thanks to the massive popularity of the recent Amazon TV adaptation, fans are ready to clock back to the wasteland. Unfortunately, those who have the game in their library through PlayStation Plus are discovering the upgrade won’t be free for them after all.
If you purchased the disc or digital version of Fallout 4 for PS4, downloading the next-gen update, which includes a 60fps mode and tons of other improvements, is as simple as going to the PlayStation Store page and selecting the free upgrade option. But players who added the game to their library through a paid PS Plus subscription are now finding they have to pay $20 to buy the entire game all over again.
While Fallout 4 is currently included as a “free” game in the PS Plus Extra library, it was also part of the PS Plus Collection that every subscriber had access to when buying a PS5 shortly after it launched. That version of the game doesn’t qualify for the free upgrade either. Players are particularly irked because this wrinkle wasn’t widely publicized beforehand, even though the paid version of Fallout 4 was on sale for just $5 as recently as yesterday.
“I’m confused,” tweeted Rockstar Games content creator Videotechuk. “I already own Fallout 4, which was free via PS Plus years ago. But the new version isn’t being granted? It’s asking to pay.” Another popular account, ThatGuyNamedTre, tweeted, “I don’t think Fallout 4 claimed from PS+ are able to update to the PS5 version :( dammit!!”
Other players responded by noting that this isn’t an issue on Xbox Game Pass, where most people also own the game via subscription versus having actually paid for it upfront. PS Plus players have also been flooding the Bethesda Games Discord server with complaints about not being able to redeem the PS5 version. “We’re checking on the PS Plus update,” wrote one of the admin’s there. “Hang tight.”
This is hardly the first time this issue has come up for PS Plus subscribers in the age of free PS5 upgrades. It was a problem with Final Fantasy VII Remake as well. While the PS4 version of the game was free for paid members, they weren’t eligible for the paid upgrade to the PS5 version.
That’s on top of all the other licensing issues players have experienced over the years. It hasn’t been uncommon for PS Plus subscribers to find their original license for a game they bought replaced with the one that expires when their membership lapses. PS5 has a convoluted system for “restoring licenses” when players get locked out of their games this way, but it’s still a pain.
Sony and Bethesda didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Update 4/25/2024, 4:22 p.m. ET: Bethesda Game Studios addressed the issue earlier today on social media. “We’ve seen some confusion regarding the free Fallout 4 next-gen update for PlayStation Plus Extra members,” the studio tweeted. “The Fallout 4 next-gen update will be available to PlayStation Plus Extra members through the PlayStation Game Catalog.”
It’s still not entirely clear if this means the update will be free for all players on PS5 or just those with PlayStation Plus Extra. Some players already went ahead and purchased the full game anyway while others try to resist the growing sense of FOMO and wait until the situation is resolved.
Update 4/26/2024, 8:45 p.m. ET: Subscribers to PS Plus Extra and above are now able to download the PS5 version of Fallout 4 (though it seems to be rolling out in different territories at different times), but those who claimed the game through the PS Plus Essentials Collection during the first two years of the console’s life are still locked out.
While Bethesda hasn’t clarified if things will stay that way, a message from the studio’s support channel isn’t reassuring. “Fallout 4's Next-Gen Update will be available for PS+ Extra members,” it reads. “We do not have any information regarding PS5 Catalogue or PS+ Essentials.” Affected players in the Bethesda Discord server are still frustrated as a result.
“Guys, I never knew I had a different version than the base game in the catalogue,” wrote one. “What’s the difference between PS Plus Collection and other versions? In the main game menu says free for all players.”
Update 4/29/2024 1:33 p.m. ET: Base PS Plus subscribers now report they are able to download the Fallout 4 next-gen update for free for the PS Plus Collection/Essentials version of the game. Bethesda hasn’t yet publicly confirmed the fix, but it appears everyone who has any version of the game now qualifies for the upgrade free of charge. It’s unclear if those who went ahead and purchased a new copy anyway will have an option to refund it.
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