Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered: A Controversial Move by Sony
Sony has once again made a controversial decision by removing the original version of Horizon: Zero Dawn from the Epic Games Store. This move comes ahead of the release of the Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered, which offers a range of enhancements and upgrades for both PlayStation 5 and PC players.
The Disappearance of the Original
The original version of Horizon: Zero Dawn has been taken down from the Epic Games Store, leaving players unable to purchase it. While the product card remains visible, the purchase option has been disabled. This is not the first time Sony has employed this strategy. They previously removed the original version of Until Dawn before releasing its remastered edition.
A Paid Upgrade Option
The decision to remove the original version is likely motivated by Sony’s desire to encourage players to purchase the remastered edition. By making the original version unavailable, Sony can incentivize players to upgrade to the enhanced version for a small fee of $9.99.
Community Backlash
The idea of releasing a remastered version of a relatively recent game has been met with criticism from a portion of the gaming community. Many players argue that the original version is still perfectly playable and that the remastered edition is not worth the additional cost.
A Profit-Driven Decision
Despite the criticism, it’s clear that Sony’s decision is primarily driven by financial considerations. By removing the original version and offering a paid upgrade, Sony can potentially increase revenue from the Horizon: Zero Dawn franchise.
The Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered
The Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered offers a number of enhancements over the original version, including:
- Improved visuals: The game features upgraded textures, lighting, and draw distance.
- Enhanced performance: The remastered version runs at 60 frames per second on both PlayStation 5 and PC.
- DualSense controller support: PlayStation 5 players can experience haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
- PC-specific features: PC players can enjoy customizable graphics settings, ultrawide monitor support, and more.
Release Date
The Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered is scheduled to be released on October 31, 2024, on both PlayStation 5 and PC.
