Major Multiplayer Game Closing on PS4, Free PS5 Upgrade Available

As the PlayStation 5 takes center stage as the main console for PlayStation enthusiasts, the PS4 is gradually fading into the background. A notable casualty of this shift is a well-loved MMORPG, which is halting its support for the PS4. However, there’s a silver lining for players: they can transition to the latest generation for free.

Pearl Abyss has shared its decision to shut down the PS4 and Xbox One editions of Black Desert Online. Gamers still have a window of opportunity to enjoy the game on these older consoles before they make the leap to current-gen platforms. The team plans to cease operations for the PS4 and Xbox One versions during a scheduled maintenance on June 26. Fortunately, players can upgrade without any cost, with their account details and in-game purchases transferring to the new version seamlessly.

Brian Choi, the Black Desert Console Live Service Manager, reassures players, “Your game data is secure.” He emphasizes that “all your account details and entitlements will be available when you decide to move to the PS5 or Xbox Series version.” Acknowledging the community’s concerns, Choi notes, “We know many might find this news disappointing. Our goal has always been to enhance the player experience continually.”

He further elaborates, “Despite our ongoing work to refine and update the content for older consoles, we must accept that their hardware limitations have made it challenging to deliver new content with the quality and fluidity players expect. Therefore, after much deliberation, we’ve concluded that concentrating our efforts on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series versions will ensure a more stable and enhanced gaming experience.”

When Black Desert Online first debuted in the U.S. back in 2016, it received a mixed bag of reviews. Metacritic, a site that compiles reviews, reported an average score of 73 from 35 critic reviews. The game expanded to PS4 and Xbox One in 2019.