Obsidian apologizes after paid PS5 upgrade for Outer Worlds

Obsidian apologized after a promised free PS5 upgrade for The Outer Worlds became a paid option for many players. The developer attributed the change to platform entitlement limits and backend issues, and said digital owners must now hold the base game plus both DLCs or purchase the expansion pass to qualify.

In early May Obsidian announced it would delist the original base edition and provide qualifying owners the Spacer’s Choice Edition, which bundles the base game with both expansion packs, at no extra cost. The studio said anyone with the base edition in their digital library before May 27 would receive the Spacer’s Choice Edition for free on platforms including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG.

When May 27 passed, many PS4 and Xbox One players did not receive the upgrade. On May 28 Obsidian Support posted an update acknowledging “entitlement restrictions and backend issues” had made the original plan unworkable. The developer recognized players were “rightfully, upset” and confirmed it cannot deliver the free PS4-to-PS5 upgrade as initially described.

Obsidian wrote that digital owners on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will need to own the base game plus the two DLCs or have the expansion pass to be eligible for the Spacer’s Choice Edition going forward. The expansion pass is listed on the PlayStation Store at £12.99 / $14.99 and must be added to a player’s console library to meet the new requirement.

Players who bought The Outer Worlds between April 30 and May 27 were asked to contact Obsidian’s support page so the studio can “work with you to make it right.” Posts on social media and the game’s subreddit expressed frustration. One poster wrote, “Obsidian made a game where greedy corporations that cheat people are ridiculed. And then they do the same, it’s so ironic.” Another user posted: “So if I only have the base game I don’t get the upgrade? You guys changed your mind? I’ll go f*ck myself I guess.”

Spacer’s Choice Edition is the reissued package that includes the original game and its two DLCs. Obsidian said it is handling affected cases through its support channels while the eligibility change remains in effect for digital owners on older consoles.