Obsidian requires paid DLC for Outer Worlds PS5 upgrade

Obsidian has reversed a planned free upgrade for The Outer Worlds, requiring owners of the PS4 and Xbox One base versions to purchase the Expansion Pass to receive the Spacer’s Choice Edition on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The Expansion Pass is listed at $14.99 / £12.99 on the PlayStation Store; prices on other platforms may vary.

At the start of May, Obsidian announced it would delist the base edition and said anyone with the base edition in their digital library before May 27, 2026, would receive the Spacer’s Choice Edition at no extra cost across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG. The Spacer’s Choice Edition bundles the original game with both DLC packs.

When May 27 passed, many players who bought the base game ahead of that date did not receive the expected upgrade. Players contacting Obsidian Support were told they needed to own the two expansions to qualify. Obsidian Support cited ‘unforeseen platform limitations’ on PlayStation and Xbox for the change.

Under the new rule, owners of the base PS4 and Xbox One game must buy the Expansion Pass, which contains both downloadable expansions, to obtain the Spacer’s Choice Edition on current-generation consoles.

Players posted complaints on social media and the game’s subreddit after receiving conflicting information. One user, EducationalProject36, 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, ArcticSounds20, wrote: ‘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.’

Obsidian’s earlier message had stated ownership of the base edition before May 27 would be sufficient for a free upgrade. The studio has not published a further public clarification for players who say they bought the game expecting the free Spacer’s Choice upgrade.