Control Publisher 505 Games Attempts to Explain Controversial Next-Gen Upgrade Plans

Publisher 505 Games has released a statement attempting to ease the controversy surrounding Control Ultimate Edition.

This special edition of Remedy Entertainment’s 2019 hit was announced last week and comes with the game’s The Foundation and AWE DLC packs, with those that purchase the new version receiving a free PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X upgrade. However, it was also revealed that owners of the original Control will not be entitled to the same upgrade, meaning they’ll have to purchase Control Ultimate Edition—which is an additional $60—if they want the next-gen boost.

In the blog post, 505 says it took many different launch options into consideration and that “no decision was taken lightly.” Despite the backlash, the publisher will not walk back its decision to only offer the upgrade to Control Ultimate Edition owners, adding, “We understand that this is not what you want to hear.”

The post also contains a FAQ section, where 505 explains that the only version of the game on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X will be Control Ultimate Edition, meaning that you won’t be able to individually purchase the DLC or season pass on next-gen consoles. However, if you own Control or its DLC on current-gen consoles, you will be able to use your content on next-gen consoles through backwards compatibility.

“To bring Control to next generation consoles in any form, we had to make some difficult decisions and those came in the form of creating the simplified Control Ultimate Edition product plan we have today,” 505 says.
“That we took a while in responding does not mean we have not been listening. We are sorry we couldn’t meet everyone’s expectations and we hope you will continue to support Control. We thank you for your support thus far.”

Time will tell how fans react to the lack of support, but for now, 505 has no plans to offer a free upgrade to all Control owners.

Remedy and 505’s Control Ultimate Edition is set to launch physically on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One and digitally on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X before the end of 2020. Physical PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions will release sometime in early 2021. Until then, the game’s AWE expansion will be available to purchase come Aug. 27.