Obsidian Entertainment faced backlash after failing to deliver on a promised free upgrade to The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition for players who owned the original version. The studio announced in April 2026 that anyone with the base game in their library by May 27 would receive the enhanced next-gen version at no cost, a reversal of the previous $10 upgrade fee. However, after the original game was delisted, players on PlayStation and Xbox discovered the upgrade was not available due to platform-specific entitlement restrictions and backend technical hurdles.

While the offer worked smoothly on PC platforms like Steam, Epic, and GOG, console players were left out despite purchasing the base game during the eligibility window. Obsidian acknowledged the failure, apologized on social media, and urged affected users to contact support. The studio admitted the rollout fell short of expectations and left fans feeling misled.

Some players reported receiving apology codes that unlocked both the Spacer’s Choice Edition and previously inaccessible DLC, but the resolution was inconsistent. The incident struck a nerve given the game’s satirical take on corporate dysfunction, making the real-world misstep feel ironically on-brand. The studio now risks reputational damage despite its efforts to make amends.