FIFA 21 to offer free Xbox Series X upgrade in lieu of Smart Delivery
With Electronic Arts unveiling its next-generation lineup, the publisher has doubled down on its own “dual entitlement” upgrade process for FIFA 21.
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What you need to know
Electronic Arts has unveiled FIFA 21, the latest annual installment of its leading soccer series, scheduled for release this October. The game accompaniesMadden NFL 21as the publisher’s early sports titles headed to the next-generation, with various enhancements planned forXbox Series Xand PlayStation 5. The reveal stressed reduced load times, a new deferred lighting system, and heightened visual fidelity among fundamental advancements in the pipeline.
FIFA 21 alsojoins Madden NFL 21in delivering a free next-generation upgrade, moving from Xbox One to Xbox Series X, or PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5. The promotion comes packaged as “dual entitlement,” with players manually claiming their free upgrade upon the release of next-generation hardware.
FIFA 21 buyers looking to play upon release will welcome the initiative, securing superior versions once next-gen consoles hit store shelves this holiday.
But Electronic Arts has also previouslyreceived backlash for its next-generation approach, distanced fromMicrosoft’s standardized “Xbox Smart Delivery” system.Titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Cyberpunk 2077, and Destiny 2have committedto this integrated practice, automatically providing the best available version of games for your console. That contrasts Electronic Arts' limited-time offer, which recently extended to the release of FIFA 22 or Madden NFL 22. Sony hasn’t announced a program similar to Smart Delivery at this time.
Electronic Arts is currently the only publisher to announce an upgrade alternative to Xbox Smart Delivery, but likely not the last. It previously expanded on the creation of its dual entitlement program, and in the case of Madden, it sees the two generations as wholly separate experiences. But its proposed system undeniably has the potential to confuse consumers during that transition.
The upgrade will still be welcomed for any budget-weary buyer, ensuring a lasting purchase — if you can upgrade during the early months of the console. With that, Electronic Arts also pledges cross-generation progression, provided you stay within the respective Xbox and PlayStation families.
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Matt Brown was formerly a Windows Central’s Senior Editor, Xbox & PC, at Future. Following over seven years of professional consumer technology and gaming coverage, he’s focused on the world of Microsoft’s gaming efforts. You can follow him on Twitter@mattjbrown.
