As Microsoft has been talking about what to expect from Xbox Series X, one of the first new features they revealed was Smart Delivery, a way that gets the players the best version of a game at no additional cost. Microsoft has detailed how Smart Delivery works for all of its consoles across generations as well as what initial games are confirmed to use the new feature. Smart Delivery can be used by all developers and will be available for all Xbox Game Studios titles that are optimized for Xbox Series X. In addition, Smart Delivery can be used by Xbox Game Pass titles that leverage it. In other words, “it will be up to the individual developer to determine whether they take advantage of Smart Delivery,” Will Tuttle, Senior Communications Manager, Xbox said.
Smart Delivery is part of Xbox’s future of gaming by putting more control in the players. Will Tuttle said “Here at Xbox, we’re building the future of gaming by putting players first and ensuring that you are at the center and in control of your gaming experience. Whether you’re exploring an expansive library of Xbox Game Pass titles with more than 10 million of your fellow gamers or taking your gaming on the go with Project xCloud, it’s clear that the future of gaming is brighter than ever. Not only will Xbox Series X set a new bar for performance, speed and compatibility, it will empower the world’s greatest developers to create games that launch us into the future of gaming. Putting players first also means introducing a host of new features and technologies to improve their experience.”
Smart Delivery will work across generations including Xbox One. If you purchase the Xbox One version of the game, then they will get the best version depending on the Xbox One console they own. When you upgrade to Xbox Series X, the game will be available to play immediately as the Xbox Series X version will be automatically provided at no additional cost. Games can also be optimized for Xbox Series X after launch. For example, CD Projekt Red announced that an Optimized for Xbox Series X version will not be available for players when the game and system launches later this year, but an Xbox Series X version of the game will come later. Players will get upgraded to the new version at no additional cost. Microsoft has also revealed that save progress will also carry over across generations. “Thanks to our commitment to compatibility across generations, you can be assured that when you purchase a game on Xbox One today, your game library, progression and entire gaming legacy moves forward with you if you jump into the next generation with Xbox Series X,” Will Tuttle said.
Microsoft has revealed an initial list of new and existing games that will be Optimized for Xbox Series X and support Smart Delivery. These games are Halo Infinite, Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Destiny 2, DiRT 5, Scarlet Nexus, Chorus, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, The Ascent, Call of the Sea, Gears 5, Second Extinction, and Metal: Hellsinger. These games are in addition to the thousands of games that will be available for Xbox Series X at launch with backwards compatibility.