Smart Delivery is the technology that brings the Xbox closer to something we already had on the PC: adapting the game to each machine. It will cover physical and digital copies of supported games. Let's see how it works, what games are supported and how you can benefit from this.
What is Xbox Smart Delivery?
Xbox Smart Delivery is a technology that allows you to buy a game for the Xbox one, with a copy for Series X automatically included. The game will render appropriately to each console, meaning that you will see better graphics and the latest version of older games while playing on the new Xbox Series X.
Future-proof games
It is an idea that brings us closer to what we have been enjoying in PC games since the beginning of this segment. On any PC, the visual level is not established by the game, but by the player. If you want a smoother experience, you may need to reduce resolution or level of detail, but the decision is always yours. The game adapts to what the player wants.
With Smart Delivery, this adaptability seems to be completely automatic and transparent for the user. Several of the developers who were talking about their games at this event have explained how, thanks to Smart Delivery, "you buy the game and always get the best version for the platform you have."
In fact, Smart Delivery becomes an element that makes games "future-proof" and you can enjoy them in the future on different consoles. If you have an Xbox One and you don't want to buy the Xbox Series X as soon as it comes out, you can enjoy these games equally. The difference is, if at any time you want to buy the Xbox Series X you will not have to buy the game again, which will also adapt to that new console gaining in visual quality and fluidity.
The same to the contrary: even having one of the new Xbox Series X and buying these games, you may have an Xbox One in another room in the house as well. In that case, you can also play that game without having to buy it twice, and you will be able to enjoy it to the fullest, although obviously the visual experience may be significantly worse than what the powerful Xbox Series X can offer.
How different is Sony
It is something that in fact is not entirely new in the Microsoft console. Back in 2018 we were able to see how in 'Forza Horizon 4' we could choose between two game modes on the Xbox One X: we either chose to play 4K and 30 FPS or 1080p and 60 FPS. In essence, this is the idea that Smart Delivery wants to propose, but having those resolutions and FPS rates automatically chosen according to the console in which we are playing each game.
That approach moves the Xbox Series X away from the concept of exclusive games that has long been brought about by that great rivalry between the PlayStation and the Xbox. On the PS5 there will continue to be exclusives that can be enjoyed only in this new model of the Sony console and that you will not be able to play on the PS4 or PS4 Pro.
With the Xbox Series X this doesn't happen, and it's an interesting tactic. That takes away from the players an argument to buy it ("I will be able to play the same games as if I didn't buy it"). However, here Microsoft has another very different bet: Players will buy new consoles in order to enjoy the same games but with greater visual detail and fluidity.
Which games will be supported by Smart Delivery?
The technology has been made available to publishers and developers for them to use, so we should expect that most Xbox games in the future from now on will have Smart Delivery. Not being enough, Microsoft announced some Smart Delivery-enabled games so far:
More details will be finalized in the EA Play Live that will take place on June 11, but it is expected that similar initiatives will be carried out with the other annual games of the franchise. No one should be surprised that the same is true of the lucrative insurance FIFA 21.
This list of supported games and publishers will most likely expand, and we are going to update it here. Some games are optimized, but not Smart Delivery-enabled, for example: Bright Memory: infinite, Scorn and The Medium.
In the typical fashion publishers behave: CD PROJEKT RED are the good guys, immediately accepting a technology that benefits gamers without reservations about it. Ubisoft supports it too, but only confirms one game by now, without giving too much information. And lastly, Electronic Arts, supports the technology for one of their games, but with a catch in order to improve their earnings.
Xbox Smart Delivery supports both physical discs and digital licenses.
Don't worry if you pre-ordered a physical version of a Smart Delivery game before knowing about the technology, it will work. While past cross-platform initiatives like Xbox Play Anywhere were limited to digital copies, the benefits of Smart Delivery work for both physical disc and digital licenses.
How does Xbox Smart Delivery works
Microsoft hasn't provided yet many details on how Smart Delivery works, but basically we know until now that it promises a smooth implementation. With a single disc (physical) or digital license automatically unlocking the correct version of the game based on your console.
Xbox Series X will be released in Christmas 2020, after purchasing one and having a Smart Delivery-enabled game like Assassin's Creed Valhalla, players will presumably be able to download the game on Xbox Series X for free.
The system will also work in reverse, meaning that you can head back to your Xbox One after playing in a Xbox Series X.
Now you can buy games sooner, thanks to Smart Delivery
Smart delivery poses an interesting question about when to buy new titles. There is no reason to wait for a new console to be available in order to buy a game. Say a fan wants to buy the new Assassins Creed title with its collectable figures, with Smart Delivery he/she doesn't have to worry about immeditely buying the new console, they can enjoy the game in their old console and then in the new one. Which is great in AC titles as they sport beautiful graphics and landscapes, that are worth the while rendered in higher graphical settings.
Escentially Smart Delivery is future proofing in games, another great technology consoles adapt or name despite it being in PCs like... since we can remember. Together with the very late adoption of SSD technology this closes a little the breach between PCs and consoles.