The Status of PS5 and Xbox Series X Cross-Gen Save Transfers – Old School Gamers

As we enter a new generation of gaming, cross-generational game releases are quite common. This leaves players wondering how seamless the transition will be when upgrading to next-gen consoles. With major titles like Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War releasing before the launch of PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, it‘s likely that gamers will start these games on current-gen systems.

But what happens to our save files when it‘s time to upgrade? This question has been on every gamer‘s mind since learning of issues transferring some PS4 saves to PS5. Developers for Yakuza: Like a Dragon and DiRT 5 have confirmed neither game will allow PS4 to PS5 save transfers, bringing the compatibility of the whole cross-gen library into question. Currently, only Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Black Ops Cold War, and Marvel‘s Avengers are known to support PS4 to PS5 save transfers. For Xbox Series X, things look much better.

Microsoft has confirmed Xbox Series X owners need not worry, as most, if not all, games will enable save transfers thanks to Smart Delivery. Announced in June, Smart Delivery ensures players "always play the best version" of games they own. When we upgrade to Series X, Smart Delivery games automatically upgrade to next-gen versions, including all save data.

Unfortunately, PS5 lacks an equivalent to Smart Delivery. Save transfers are left up to developers. When Smart Delivery was revealed, the following Xbox games were confirmed compatible:

• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
• Call of the Sea
• Chorus
• Cyberpunk 2077
• DiRT 5
• Destiny 2
• Gears 5
• Halo Infinite
• Metal: Hellslinger
• Scarlet Nexus
• Second Extinction
• The Ascent
• Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
• Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Since then, Psychonauts 2, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Watch Dogs: Legion, Far Cry 6, and Borderlands 3 have also been confirmed as Smart Delivery titles.

While the outlook seems bleak for PS5, developers like Ubisoft offer a brighter future. Speaking to Kotaku, Ubisoft mentioned "cross-progression" to transfer PS4 to PS5 save data. Though no specific games were confirmed, it seems likely Valhalla, Far Cry, and Watch Dogs would utilize this.

With just over a month until next-gen begins, Sony should clarify whether first-party cross-gen titles like Horizon Forbidden West and Sackboy: A Big Adventure will allow save transfers. Until then, there is still plenty to be excited for on both new consoles.

Understanding Smart Delivery

As a long-time Xbox fan, I‘m thrilled by Microsoft‘s Smart Delivery system. It aims to make upgrading to Xbox Series X/S truly seamless for players. Smart Delivery ensures you always access the best, most optimized version of a game whether you‘re on Xbox One or upgraded to Series X/S. The technology is impressive.

When Smart Delivery detects you‘ve upgraded to next-gen, it automatically provides the Series X/S version and seamlessly transfers your saves. No starting your adventure over from scratch. This ease of upgrade stands in stark contrast to the unclear PS5 approach. Without a universal system like Smart Delivery, PS5 save transfers are left to individual developers to try to implement. That results in inconsistent support and experience across the whole PS4/PS5 library.

According to Microsoft‘s details on their portal, Smart Delivery has three major components:

Cross-Generation Entitlement: Owners of a Smart Delivery game on Xbox One get the Series X version included at no extra cost. There‘s no need to re-purchase games when you upgrade. This is huge savings for players.

Cross-Generation Progression: As mentioned above, all progression and saved data seamlessly carry over to the next-gen version. Players can pick up right where they left off. No starting over or losing dozens of hours of gameplay.

Cross-Generation Optimization: Smart Delivery provides the optimized version of a game based on the console it detects. So Series X gets enhanced assets, faster load times, higher frame rates, and other next-gen improvements.

Developers simply need to integrate the Smart Delivery SDKs into their game, and they get these features automatically. Microsoft also assures that all its exclusive first-party titles will fully support Smart Delivery. That includes highly anticipated upcoming releases like Halo Infinite, Forza Motorsport, Starfield, and more.

Ultimately, Microsoft wants to make next-gen upgrades hassle-free for Xbox fans. Players shouldn‘t lose hard-earned progress or be forced to re-buy games when they get a Series X. That convenience and value has big implications for attracting consumers away from PlayStation.

PS5 Save Transfers Remain Unclear

Without a universal system like Smart Delivery, the PS5 leaves save transfers up to individual developers‘ discretion. So far, the level of support remains unclear for most cross-gen games. Here‘s what we know so far according to gamer forums and publisher statements:

Supported PS4 to PS5 Save Transfers:

• Spider-Man: Miles Morales
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
• Marvel‘s Avengers

No PS4 to PS5 Save Transfer:

• Yakuza: Like a Dragon
• DiRT 5

Unconfirmed PS4 to PS5 Save Transfers:

• Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla
• Far Cry 6
• Horizon Forbidden West
• Sackboy: A Big Adventure
• Deathloop
• Hitman 3

This piecemeal approach results in frustration and uncertainty for PlayStation fans. Those investing dozens of hours into PS4 versions of games have no guarantee they can continue progression on PS5. And not knowing which titles will allow save transfers makes purchasing decisions difficult.

However, based on Ubisoft‘s comments, it seems likely that its big cross-gen releases like Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla will enable transfers through its "cross-progression" system. And during its PS5 showcase, Sony called out "an incredible library of games that can be played across generations," suggesting some first-party titles will also support it.

But full clarity remains lacking. Sony needs to provide a definitive list of which PS4 games will allow save transfers and how the process works. This info should have been communicated already, given PS5 pre-orders are sold out and launch is just weeks away. Their silence leaves customers in the dark and gives an advantage to Xbox.

What About Cross-Platform Save Transfers?

The ability to transfer saves between console generations is a great first step. But as a life-long gamer across multiple platforms, I share many players‘ desire to see progression carry across different systems – like moving progress from PS4 to Xbox Series X or from PC to Nintendo Switch.

Unfortunately, true cross-platform and cross-generation save portability remains rare due to business incentives. With console makers treating proprietary software and exclusives as a competitive edge, they have little motivation to offer open save transfers. It threatens their ability to lock in players to their ecosystems.

However, there are a few promising examples of cross-platform save transfers starting to emerge:

• Fortnite: Epic Games allows moving cosmetic items and progress across PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC and mobile.

• Divinity: Original Sin 2: Players can transfer PC saves to Nintendo Switch, letting them play on the go.

• Minecraft: Microsoft enables syncing worlds across Xbox, Switch, PC and mobile.

• The Witcher 3: Save transfer from PC to Switch was recently added via free DLC.

• No Man‘s Sky: Next-gen console updates will allow save transfers from PS4 and Xbox One.

These examples show that cross-platform save portability is possible when developers and platform holders choose to prioritize it. But they are still the exceptions rather than the norm. Bigger shifts towards open, universal game save data seem unlikely in the near future as platform competition heats up entering a new generation. But as Smart Delivery shows, focusing on convenience and value for players should be top priorities. So hopefully cross-platform transfers gain more traction going forward.

What About PS4 to PS5 Game Upgrades?

The uncertainty around PS4 to PS5 save transfers is compounded by another unknown – paid next-gen upgrades. Xbox Smart Delivery guarantees free upgrades for all first-party Microsoft games when you move to Series X/S. But on PS5, upgrades are handled on a confusing case-by-case basis.

Some PS5 games offer free upgrades from PS4, like Sackboy: A Big Adventure. Others provide paid upgrades, like the $10 option for Marvel‘s Spider-Man Remastered. Some don‘t allow upgrades at all, instead selling separate PS5 and PS4 versions.

Below is a breakdown of some of the major cross-gen games and their PS5 upgrade options:

Game	PS4 to PS5 Upgrade
Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla	Free upgrade confirmed
Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War	Free upgrade confirmed
Cyberpunk 2077	Free upgrade confirmed
Marvel‘s Avengers	Free upgrade confirmed
Marvel‘s Spider-Man Remastered	$10 upgrade fee
NBA 2K21	$10 upgrade fee
Sackboy A Big Adventure	Free upgrade confirmed

This inconsistency is frustrating for PS fans. Those buying PS4 games pre-launch again don‘t know if they‘ll need to re-purchase on PS5. And paying full-price for upgrades feels anti-consumer when Xbox provides them for free.

Just as with save transfers, Sony needs to clarify its upgrade approach. Explicit details on which PS4 games get free vs paid upgrades should have been provided by now. That would allow consumers to make informed decisions when buying cross-gen titles.

The additional confusion around upgrades also stacks the deck in Xbox‘s favor this holiday. Their Smart Delivery guarantee of free, seamless enhancements provides simplicity and value that PlayStation lacks.

What About Playing PS4 Games on PS5?

Aside from save transfers and upgrades, there‘s a third area of ambiguity – playing your existing PS4 library on PS5. Sony has touted the new console as being "backwards compatible," but details remain light.

What we know so far:

• Over 4000 PS4 games are playable on PS5 based on Sony testing.

• Select PS4 games will see improved frame rates and resolutions on PS5, but no specifics have been provided.

• At launch, PS5 won‘t support PS1, PS2 or PS3 games. Xbox Series X will play select games from all previous Xbox generations.

Without official details from Sony, it‘s hard to assess the PS4 backwards compatibility experience. However, early analysis from Digital Foundry provides some insights:

• Load times on PS4 games are vastly reduced on PS5 due to the SSD – Ratchet and Clank loads in under 1 second rather than 15 seconds.

• Many PS4 games receive resolution and frame rate boosts on PS5. Days Gone sees improved image quality and solid 60 FPS.

• But performance uplifts seem inconsistent so far – God of War has unlocked frame rate but it varies between 40-60 FPS.

Sony needs to clarify which PS4 games receive enhancements on PS5 and how extensive they are. Xbox already announced optimizations for dozens of titles via FPS Boost, Auto HDR, faster load times and more. Detailed testing from Digital Foundry will be critical in seeing if PlayStation‘s backwards compatibility can match Microsoft‘s program.

For those with large PS4 libraries, understanding what improvements PS5 offers is essential to assess its value as an upgrade. Sony seems intentionally vague to avoid setting clear expectations and comparisons to Xbox.

Game Pass Further Pressures Sony

While Smart Delivery is a major perk for next-gen Xbox owners, Game Pass may be an even bigger factor in Microsoft‘s favor as we enter a new generation. Xbox Game Pass now has over 15 million subscribers, and the library expands monthly with major day-one releases.

Meanwhile, PlayStation Now has just 2.2 million subscribers and lacks compelling first-party PlayStation games. This massive discrepancy in perceived value gives Xbox a giant advantage.

For the monthly cost of PS Plus, Game Pass provides access to hundreds of games, with major titles like Halo added instantly on release. And Microsoft just announced EA Play will also be bundled into Game Pass at no additional cost – a huge value!

This makes Game Pass an obvious choice for players like me focused on maximizing budget. Why buy a handful of $60 PS5 games when you can access Game Pass‘ huge and expanding library for a fraction of the price? That value perception can be very persuasive.

Sony has no counterpunch to Game Pass right now. Even if PlayStation exclusives like Spider-Man appeal, penny-pinching gamers will find way greater overall value from Game Pass‘ library. This could drive more budget-conscious adopters like myself to opt for Series X, especially when combined with Smart Delivery‘s savings.

PlayStation Now would need a dramatic overhaul with new first-party games to better compete. But as of now, Game Pass gives Microsoft a massive strategic advantage entering next-gen by locking in recurring revenue and loyalty. Smart Delivery further incentivizes upgrading to Series X to maximize Game Pass. Sony needs to re-think its services and messaging fast.

Summary – Advantage Xbox?

Based on the unclear messaging and inconsistent policies around PS5 upgrades and save transfers, Sony seems to be fumbling a key part of the transition to next-gen. Their opaque approach contrasts negatively against Xbox‘s clear, pro-consumer Smart Delivery system and value focus.

As an industry analyst, it feels like Microsoft has learned from the PS4 generation, when policies like used game restrictions gave Sony an edge. Now the tables have turned, with Xbox conveying far more goodwill towards players through Smart Delivery, robust backwards compatibility, and immense value via Game Pass.

There is still time for Sony to clarify its save transfer and upgrade details. But the continued silence as PS5 pre-orders sell out is not a good look. And it may sway undecided next-gen adopters towards Xbox this holiday.

Even if PlayStation has the edge on console exclusives, that appeal diminishes if buying PS4 games pre-launch results in lost progress or forced double-dipping. As an expert, my advice is Sony should confirm exactly which PS4 games will transfer saves and offer free upgrades.

Otherwise, Xbox Series X/S will be the safer choice for new adopters who want to easily carry their games and progress into the next generation. Combined with Game Pass value, Microsoft has expertly optimized for a consumer-friendly transition. For now, Xbox definitely has the advantage.