Black Desert Console Gets Native PS5 Xbox Series X/S Release - Free Upgrade Available Now
Pearl Abyss has officially launched native PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of Black Desert Console on June 26, 2025. The upgrade is completely free for existing players, but it marks the end of support for PS4 and Xbox One versions.
The new builds take full advantage of current-gen hardware, delivering faster loading times, better graphics, and improved stability. Pearl Abyss designed these versions to finally bring console content closer to PC parity, something that was impossible on older hardware.
Players get enhanced visuals, optimized audio, and smoother performance across the board. The upgrade isn't just a simple patch - it's a complete rebuild specifically for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S capabilities.
Current PS4 and Xbox One players can upgrade at no cost. All character data, progress, and achievements transfer seamlessly to the new versions. However, players need to download the entire game again rather than just updating their existing installation.
The transition was designed to be as smooth as possible, with crossplay between PlayStation and Xbox platforms remaining intact.
Support for last-generation systems ended on June 26 during scheduled maintenance. Players can no longer purchase items, packages, or Pearl Boxes on older consoles.
This wasn't an easy decision for Pearl Abyss, but hardware limitations on older systems made it impossible to deliver new content while maintaining stability. The company had been struggling with these constraints for years.
The real payoff comes on July 10 with the first major content update designed for current-gen hardware:
Deadeye Class: A fan-favorite ranged combat class that brings dynamic gameplay to console players. Console players have been waiting years for this addition.
Ulukita Region: A new explorable area built specifically to showcase PS5 and Xbox Series X/S capabilities. This represents the first major geographical expansion optimized for current-gen consoles.
More content that was previously PC-exclusive is expected to follow, including expansions like Land of the Morning Light and new game modes.
Console players have been stuck with outdated content for years. Due to hardware limitations, it was very challenging to add larger scale content like major expansions and new regions that PC players already enjoyed.
The move to native current-gen versions eliminates these bottlenecks. Pearl Abyss can now deliver regular content updates without worrying about older hardware compatibility.
This transition coincides with Black Desert Console's fifth anniversary of crossplay support, highlighting how far the platform has evolved. The game now joins a growing list of MMORPGs fully embracing current-generation console capabilities.
For Pearl Abyss, this represents a strategic shift toward unified development across all platforms, rather than maintaining separate development tracks for different hardware generations.
The upgrade sets the stage for Black Desert Console to finally achieve the content parity that players have been requesting for years.
