Major Multiplayer Game Closing on PS4, Free PS5 Upgrade Available

With the PS5 taking the lead in Sony’s console offerings, it’s no surprise that the PS4 is slowly being phased out of the spotlight. One well-loved MMORPG is saying farewell to its PS4 version, but there’s a silver lining for its dedicated players: a free upgrade path to the next-gen version.

Black Desert Online Nearing the End on PS4

Pearl Abyss is wrapping up support for Black Desert Online on both the PS4 and Xbox One. Gamers have a limited window to continue their adventures on these platforms before the game shifts exclusively to the newer consoles. The official shutdown date is set for the maintenance period on June 26. But don’t worry, existing players can seamlessly move to the latest version without any cost, and all their progress and purchases will carry over.

In a reassuring message, Brian Choi, the Live Service Manager for Black Desert Console, confirmed, "All your game data will stay intact." He explained that players’ account details and purchases would remain accessible when they decide to switch to the PS5 or the Xbox Series consoles. He acknowledged that the news might be bittersweet, but emphasized their aim to consistently enhance the game for its adventurers.

Choi further clarified, "Our past updates have aimed to support older consoles as much as possible, but the hardware limitations today make it increasingly tough to roll out new content effectively." This has led Pearl Abyss to conclude that focusing on the more advanced PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series platforms is the right move to guarantee a top-tier gaming experience.

Black Desert Online made its U.S. debut in 2016, stirring up a range of reactions. As per Metacritic, the game held a respectable average score of 73 from 35 reviews. The leap to PS4 and Xbox One came in 2019, expanding its console reach significantly.