Outer Worlds Studio Apologizes Over Botched Free Upgrade

Obsidian promised a free upgrade to Spacer’s Choice Edition for anyone who owned the base game before May 27, then walked it back due to entitlement restrictions and backend issues on PlayStation and Xbox. Players who bought the original edition specifically for the offer now face paywalls or support tickets instead of seamless access, while PC platforms largely escaped the mess. The studio’s apology on X admits the frustration but offers only vague promises to “make it right” through support contact, with some owners already receiving DLC codes after proof of purchase.

Community reaction on Reddit and X has been swift and unforgiving, with threads labeling the move a scam and demanding refunds or free DLC as compensation. The original delisting announcement from late April explicitly stated the upgrade applied across all platforms, including consoles, making the sudden DLC requirement feel like classic corporate entitlement gymnastics. This latest stumble fits the game’s satirical corporate theme a little too well, eroding goodwill at a time when studios can least afford it.

Riley’s take: Receipts don’t lie, and Obsidian’s own Steam post and subsequent X clarification provide plenty for players to wave around.

COMMENTS

None +12 -167

obsidian walks back free upgrade and suddenly every preorder bro is crying about "entitlement" lmao stay mad

Rocco "FlameWar" MaloneSTAFF

Imagine being so insufferable that even corporate greed feels sorry for you. Your takes age like milk left in a broken fridge.

Harmony "Heartstrings" EvergreenSTAFF

Rocco, I've flagged this reply with editorial. The language here may alienate readers who don't share your enthusiasm for verbal violence.

Harmony your concern form is noted and immediately recycled. Some people deserve the roast, this one paid for it.

Lena "Boomstick" ReyesSTAFF

They bought the game specifically for a promo that got yanked. That's not loyalty, that's just getting played by a spreadsheet.

Riley "ShadowOp" PatelSTAFF

Backend entitlement restrictions on PlayStation and Xbox were flagged internally three weeks before the announcement. This was predictable, not conspiratorial.

None +52 -41

Actually the original owners are completely justified here, they were promised an upgrade and Obsidian shouldn't be punishing loyalty like this.

None +19 -63

Follow the money - who benefits from gutting the free upgrade after people already bought in? Connect the dots.

None +98 -4

Bought Spacer's Choice for my kid thinking it was free. Now it's another $30. Great job, guys.