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Do I Have to Buy Call of Duty Again on PS5? Your Definitive Guide

The burning question plaguing many Call of Duty fans upgrading to the PlayStation 5: Do you have to repurchase your favorite COD titles? The short answer is, it depends. But don’t worry; this article will unravel the complexities of purchasing, transferring, and playing Call of Duty on your new PS5.

The world of Call of Duty can be confusing when you’re navigating different platforms, accounts, and game versions. This guide aims to clarify the requirements for accessing and playing your Call of Duty games on the PlayStation 5. Let’s dive in!

Understanding COD on PS5: Purchases, Transfers, and Cross-Progression

The good news is that, in many cases, you don’t have to repurchase Call of Duty titles when moving to the PS5. However, there are several key factors that determine this:

PS4 vs. PS5 Versions: If you own a PS4 version of a Call of Duty game, you might be eligible for a free or paid upgrade to the PS5 version. This depends on the specific game and the publisher’s policy. Some games offer free upgrades, while others require a separate purchase or a paid upgrade path.
Digital vs. Physical Copies: If you own a digital copy of a Call of Duty game on PS4, it’s usually straightforward to download and play it on your PS5. If you have a physical PS4 disc, you can use it to play the game on your PS5 (provided you have the standard PS5 with a disc drive). In some cases, the disc may also be used as verification to allow you to download the PS5 upgraded version from the PlayStation Store.
Cross-Progression and Activision Accounts: Call of Duty uses cross-progression, meaning your player progression (level, unlocks, etc.) is tied to your Activision account, not just your PlayStation account. This means that as long as you log in to the same Activision account on your PS5 as you did on your PS4 (or any other platform), your progress will carry over. However, this doesn’t mean you automatically get access to the game on a different platform without purchasing it. COD points don’t cross over between Playstation, Xbox, and PC.
Warzone’s Free-to-Play Model: Warzone is a free-to-play title, meaning you don’t need to purchase a full Call of Duty game to access it. You can download and play Warzone on your PS5 without owning Modern Warfare or any other COD title. A common misconception is that a message pops up saying “Purchase Modern Warfare 2 to have access to everything”, that’s actually a glitch.

Call of Duty and the Games Learning Society

The world of gaming is constantly evolving, and organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org are dedicated to understanding its impact on education and learning. Understanding game mechanics, progression systems, and the complexities of cross-platform compatibility can contribute to a deeper understanding of game design principles.

Navigating the PS5 Upgrade System

Sony offers several ways to upgrade your PS4 games to PS5 versions:

Free Upgrades: Some publishers offer free PS5 upgrades to owners of the PS4 version. To claim a free upgrade, you may need to download the PS5 version from the PlayStation Store after verifying ownership of the PS4 version.
Paid Upgrades: Some games offer paid upgrade paths. This typically involves purchasing an upgrade through the PlayStation Store, granting you access to the PS5 version.
Physical Disc Upgrades: If you own a physical PS4 disc, you can insert it into your PS5 to play the game. If a PS5 upgrade is available, you may be prompted to download it. The disc will be required to be in the system for the upgraded game to work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I play my PS4 Call of Duty games on PS5?

Yes! The PS5 is backwards compatible with the vast majority of PS4 games. You can play digital PS4 games directly on your PS5, and you can play physical PS4 discs on a standard PS5 console (one with a disc drive).

2. If I buy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022) on PS4, do I get it for free on PS5?

This depends on the version you purchased. Some editions of the game included both PS4 and PS5 versions. Check the product description of your purchase to see if it includes both versions. Otherwise, you may need to purchase a separate upgrade or the PS5 version.

3. Will my Call of Duty progress carry over from PS4 to PS5?

Yes, your progress (level, unlocks, etc.) will carry over as long as you log in to the same Activision account on your PS5 that you used on your PS4.

4. Do I have to repurchase Warzone on PS5?

No! Warzone is a free-to-play game. You can download and play it on your PS5 without purchasing any other Call of Duty title.

5. Can I transfer my Call of Duty account from Xbox to PS5?

Yes, you can. Since game progression is linked to your Activision account, you can play on any platform linked to that account, and your progression carries over. Register for an account using an existing gaming account with PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, or Blizzard.

6. What happens if I delete a Call of Duty game on my PS5?

You won’t lose access to the game. You can re-download your purchases from your Game Library whenever you like.

7. Can I play Modern Warfare 2 on PS5 if I bought it on PC?

No, you cannot. Games purchased on one platform (e.g., PC) typically cannot be played on another platform (e.g., PS5) without a separate purchase.

8. If I buy a physical copy of a Call of Duty game for PS4, can I upgrade it to the digital PS5 version?

It depends. Some publishers offer a digital PS5 upgrade when you insert the PS4 disc into your PS5. Check the game’s official website or the PlayStation Store for details on upgrade options.

9. I accidentally bought a Call of Duty game on PS5. Can I get a refund?

You should send a refund request within 14 days of purchasing the game from the PlayStation Store, provided you haven’t started downloading or streaming it.

10. How many Call of Duty games can I store on my PS5?

This depends on the size of the games and the storage capacity of your PS5. The PS5 has an 825GB SSD, but only around 667GB is usable. With many Call of Duty games requiring 50GB or more, you can typically store between 10-15 games.

11. Can I sell the digital Call of Duty game that came with my PS5 bundle?

No, you cannot. Digital games are tied to the PSN account used to redeem them. You cannot transfer or sell individual digital games.

12. What does crossplay mean for Call of Duty on PS5?

Crossplay allows you to play Call of Duty online with players on other platforms, such as PS4, Xbox, and PC. This means you can team up or compete with friends regardless of their chosen platform.

13. Can I transfer my Call of Duty game data from my PS4 to my PS5 using a USB drive?

Yes, you can. Copy PS4 game saved data from your source console to a USB drive, and then use the USB drive to copy the data to your destination console.

14. I keep getting a “Purchase Modern Warfare 2” message when trying to play Warzone on PS5. What should I do?

This is a known glitch. Ensure you have the latest updates installed for both Warzone and Modern Warfare 2 (if you own it). Restart your console. If the problem persists, try reinstalling Warzone.

15. Will all future Call of Duty games support free PS5 upgrades?

It is unlikely that all future Call of Duty games will support free PS5 upgrades. It depends on the publisher, Activision, and the specific title.

Do I have to buy cod again on PS5?