Microsoft has reportedly warned Xbox Series X developers against charging for DLC upgrades from the current generation to the next one. The move appears aimed at disincentivizing publishers from charging for a service that Microsoft is trying to make a major pillar of its platform with Smart Delivery.

VGC reports that the company is encouraging publishers to instead adopt a no-cost upgrade model, like either Smart Delivery or EA's Dual Entitlement. The report doesn't state definitively whether Microsoft has made a formal rule the practice of charging for upgrades on its platform.

Despite that, the company is said to be leaving the door open to other mechanisms of allowing upgrades. Aside from free digital upgrades like the ones above, it hasn't ruled out schemes like selling a next-gen version at a discount, or selling "cross-gen bundles" that include two versions of the game. We've already seen that in action this week with the announcement of NBA 2K21's Kobe Bryant edition, which will sell both versions for $100. The regular edition on both platforms will cost $60 on current-gen and $70 on next-gen--which may become the new normal.

Microsoft has reportedly warned Xbox Series X developers against charging for DLC upgrades from the current generation to the next one. The move appears aimed at disincentivizing publishers from charging for a service that Microsoft is trying to make a major pillar of its platform with Smart Delivery.

VGC reports that the company is encouraging publishers to instead adopt a no-cost upgrade model, like either Smart Delivery or EA's Dual Entitlement. The report doesn't state definitively whether Microsoft has made a formal rule the practice of charging for upgrades on its platform.

Despite that, the company is said to be leaving the door open to other mechanisms of allowing upgrades. Aside from free digital upgrades like the ones above, it hasn't ruled out schemes like selling a next-gen version at a discount, or selling "cross-gen bundles" that include two versions of the game. We've already seen that in action this week with the announcement of NBA 2K21's Kobe Bryant edition, which will sell both versions for $100. The regular edition on both platforms will cost $60 on current-gen and $70 on next-gen--which may become the new normal.