Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is getting a NextGen update for Xbox Series X / S. While PlayStation players are left out in the cold, PC players will get their turn.
Developer Ninja Theory is heavily tweaking the visuals of Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice to deliver a Next-Gen upgrade for Xbox Series X / S. With ray tracing, Senua’s emotional journey looks a good deal more impressive.
The graphics update also means good news for PC players, as a corresponding patch for the PC version is also on its way, according to the developers. However, it is not yet clear when exactly the upgrade will arrive for PC players.
The Xbox patch is free for owners of the game. Although a price for the PC upgrade was not explicitly mentioned, we also assume that the update will be free.
In the meantime you can have a look at how the game looks like with a nice raytracing optic:
PlayStation goes empty
The NextGen upgrade for the Xbox has already been released. Microsoft and Ninja Theory state that an update for the PC version is also in development. However, the PS4 version of Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice will be left out. So anyone who wants to experience the game with ray tracing effects will have to play on a new Xbox or, in future, on the PC.
The barrier is not surprising, after all Ninja Theory has belonged to Microsoft since June 2018. Xbox boss Phil Spencer had already made it clear that the acquisition of development studios is primarily intended to secure exclusive games for Xbox and the Game Pass subscription. Accordingly, it comes as no surprise that an elaborately developed NextGen upgrade will also be reserved for Xbox and PC players.
As annoying as this may be for PlayStation gamers (also in view of future Bethesda games), PC gamers can be glad that Microsoft does not draw a dividing line between Xbox and PC in order to boost console sales, for example. The releases on PC could be related to Microsoft’s desire to remain strong in the PC sector through Windows.
