The Outer Worlds will reportedly not include any enhancements for the PlayStation 4 Pro version of the game when compared to the base PlayStation 4. It will, however, include some Xbox One X enhancements over the base Xbox One.
What gives?
Usually there are some enhancements given to the Pro versions of games when compared to the base PlayStation 4. These can be something significant like 4K resolutions, assets, texture filtering, and even higher framerate. They can even be as little as just supporting a slightly higher resolution bump, or better texture filtering. Usually it's something instead of it being completely nothing.
The same usually goes for the Xbox One X enhanced versions of games. Of course, the Xbox One X does offer a bit more power under the hood compared to the Pro, but there is usually a little something offered for both of the beefier consoles.
The Outer Worlds seems to buck that trend. Publisher Private Division told Windows Central that the game will be "4K on Xbox One" but will offer "no enhancements for PS4 Pro."
There are a couple of things to keep in mind here. The Outer Worlds is an upcoming FPS RPG developed by Obsidian Entertainment. Obsidian was recently acquired by Microsoft back in November 2018. However, the publishing deal for The Outer Worlds was still being handled by Private Division, which means that all previously announced platforms would still get the game. This includes PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and yes, the PlayStation.
This sort of thing has actually happened in the past when respect to a game that came out on the PlayStation 4 after Microsoft had acquired the development studio. We Happy Few was developed by Compulsion Games and published by Gearbox Publishing. Compulsion was acquired by Microsoft before We Happy Few was released but after it was announced as a multi-platform title. We Happy Few offered a 4K resolution option on the Xbox One X but had only a 1080p option on the PlayStation 4 Pro.
Now, before you get out those pitchforks you should keep in mind that even though Obsidian is owned by Microsoft, they still answer to Private Division when it comes to The Outer Worlds. If it comes down to any single entity calling the shots on what platforms do and do not get enhancements, it's Private Division, not Microsoft.
This is obviously of no comfort for those PlayStation 4 Pro owners who were expecting some improvements over the base PlayStation 4.
The Outer Worlds is slated to be released on October 25, 2019 for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and as a timed exclusive on the Epic Games Store for PC. It will also be available through Xbox Game Pass for PC, which is still being offered at $1 for a month. One dollar to play The Outer Worlds at launch sounds really, really good to me. Maybe you'll get your fill there but you'll want to play it again in say a year, at which point it'll be out on Steam. Just sayin'...
