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Sony Details Disc-Based PlayStation 4 Upgrade Program For Four Games
We've known that select PlayStation 3 versions of cross-generation titles would be eligible for upgrade. Until now though, we only understood how it would work for digital purchases. Today, Sony has detailed how disc-based upgrading will work.
Currently, there are only four titles that are eligible for this program: Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Watch Dogs, Call of Duty: Ghosts, and Battlefield 4. If you want to go all-digital, all you need to do is purchase one of these games on PlayStation 3 through the PlayStation Store. When your PlayStation 4 arrives on November 15, you can purchase the next-gen version for only $9.99.
For those that prefer their hard-copies, things are a little more complicated. Each of these four games will come with a code that will give you the chance to purchase the digital PS4 version for $9.99. The catch is that you'll need to authenticate your PS3 disc every time you play.
It will be as if your PlayStation 3 disc turns into a PlayStation 4 disc. You need not own a PS4 to use your code, so even if you aren't planning on upgrading right away, you should probably risk the $9.99. You only have until January 31, 2014 to take advantage of this offer.
According to a comment from Sid Schuman, PlayStation US' social media manager, these are the only titles included right now, but there is a chance others might be added.
[Source: PlayStation Blog]
Our Take
Extending this offer to disc-based purchases is a smart move. The only surprise is that the PlayStation 4 will be able to authenticate the disc to enable play of the digital copy.
There's no doubt that use of the PlayStation 3 disc is to ensure that users don't trade the disc in after upgrading. Is it inconvenient? Sure, but it's better than nothing if you absolutely must have a physical PlayStation 3 copy.
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