Control Publisher Explains Controversial Next-Gen Decision

Fans still aren't pleased.

Remedy Entertainment and 505 Games recently announced Control Ultimate Edition, which quickly became controversial because of the upgrade to next-gen consoles that is being offered. Now, the publisher has offered an explanation for this decision.

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505 Games took to their website to provide fans with a bit of context regarding the controversial decision to only offer next-gen upgrades to those who purchase Control Ultimate Edition. After all, the upcoming version will be cheaper than the base game is now, and it has left a lot of fans feeling cheated. Throw in the bit about not being able to upgrade the current version of the game, and fans are angry. However, the publisher attributes the decision to “some form of blocker” that would leave one group of players behind. 

“We spent several months exploring all of our launch options for Control Ultimate Edition and no decision was taken lightly,” the post reads. “While it is challenging bringing any game to next gen platforms, we quickly realised it was even more difficult to upgrade our current user base to next gen with full parity across platforms with our year-old game. Every avenue we pursued, there was some form of blocker and those blockers meant that at least one group of players ended up being left out of the upgrade for various reasons. As of today, we can’t offer an upgrade to everyone, and leaving any one group out feels unfair. We understand that is not what you want to hear.”

Understandably, as 505 points out, this is not what fans want to hear. Many think that something about this strategy feels like a money grab. Players who have already invested in the game have likely reached or surpassed the $100 mark, and they are the ones who will not be able to upgrade to the next-gen version of the game. Meanwhile, Control Ultimate Edition will be available for $40 and buyers can upgrade that version. If console players have a physical version of the game, they always have the option to make a bit of money back by selling their copy, but those who purchased digitally don’t have that luxury. If they want the next-gen version of Control, they’ll need to buy it again.

Related: Control Reveals Gameplay From Alan Wake DLC

Of course, it is worth mentioning that current owners of the game and its expansions on PS4 or Xbox One will be able to play an enhanced version via backwards compatibility when the next-generation consoles arrive. They just won’t get the full next-gen experience unless they purchase Control Ultimate Edition, which is set to arrive on Steam on August 27th, and Epic Games Store, PS4, and Xbox One on September 10th. For more on the popular title, be sure to check out our game hub!

What do you think about all of this? Do you think 505 Games should offer something a bit more buyer-friendly to those who already own Control and want to upgrade? Sound off with your thoughts over on our Twitter @PrimaGames!


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