Major Multiplayer Game Closing on PS4, Free PS5 Upgrade Available

With the PlayStation 5 now taking center stage as the main console for PlayStation users, it’s no surprise that support for the PlayStation 4 is gradually being scaled back. A key example of this shift is a popular MMORPG, which is halting its service on the older console, yet graciously providing players a free upgrade to the current generation.

Black Desert Online for PS4 is shutting down

Recently, Pearl Abyss announced that they will be discontinuing the PS4 and Xbox One versions of their MMORPG, Black Desert Online. For those still engaged with the game on these platforms, the next few months mark the last chapter of their journey on these consoles, before transitioning solely to the latest generation. Mark your calendars for June 26, as that’s when the game’s services on PS4 and Xbox One will officially cease during scheduled maintenance. Thankfully, existing players won’t be left out in the cold—upgrading to the new generation version is completely free, and all your account details and purchases will seamlessly carry over.

In a reassuring message, Black Desert Console Live Service Manager, Brian Choi, stated, “You can trust that your game data is safe. When you decide to make the leap to the PlayStation 5 or the Xbox Series version, every bit of your account information and Black Desert purchases will be right there waiting for you.” Acknowledging the disappointment this change might bring to longtime fans, Choi explained, “Despite our continuous updates to enhance the adventurer’s experience, catering to older generation consoles has become challenging. We’ve hit hardware limits that affect our ability to deliver the latest content efficiently.”

Choi further elaborated, “After much deliberation, we’ve concluded that concentrating our efforts on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series editions will enable us to offer a more stable and richer gaming experience.”

When Black Desert Online made its U.S. debut in 2016, it received a mixed bag of reactions. Metacritic, a major review aggregation site, shows that the game garnered an average score of 73, sourced from 35 different critic reviews. The game’s journey onto the PS4 and Xbox One platforms began in 2019.