How to Upgrade Skyrim to Anniversary Edition on PS5: A Complete Guide
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Upgrading your Skyrim Special Edition to the Anniversary Edition on PS5 unlocks a treasure trove of new content and enhancements. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of how to achieve this upgrade, along with answers to frequently asked questions that will ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. The process is not entirely free, but the enhanced experience, especially if you are a Skyrim enthusiast, makes it a worthwhile investment.
Understanding the Skyrim Editions on PS5
Before we dive into the upgrade process, it’s essential to understand the differences between the various Skyrim editions available on PS5:
- Skyrim Special Edition: This is the base game with remastered graphics and all three official DLCs (Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn).
- Skyrim Anniversary Edition: This includes everything in the Special Edition, plus a large collection of Creation Club content. This content encompasses new quests, dungeons, bosses, weapons, spells, and other additions. The Anniversary Edition is a substantial expansion of the Skyrim world.
How to Upgrade to Skyrim Anniversary Edition on PS5
The upgrade to Anniversary Edition on PS5 is not free. You must own the Skyrim Special Edition to perform the upgrade and pay an upgrade fee. Here is a detailed step by step guide:
- Ensure You Own Skyrim Special Edition: This is the prerequisite. If you have the base game or an older version, you will need to purchase the Special Edition first.
- Access the PlayStation Store: Turn on your PS5 console, log into your PSN account and navigate to the PlayStation Store.
- Search for Skyrim Anniversary Edition Upgrade: Use the search function and type in “Skyrim Anniversary Edition Upgrade.” Do not purchase the full Anniversary Edition if you already own the special edition.
- Purchase the Upgrade: Select the “Skyrim Anniversary Edition Upgrade” and add it to your cart. Complete the purchase using your preferred payment method. The price for the upgrade typically sits at $19.99 USD / $29.95 AUD / €19.99 / £15.99.
- Download the Content: Once purchased, the Anniversary Edition content will begin to download automatically.
- Launch Skyrim: Start Skyrim Special Edition as usual.
- Access Creation Club: From the main menu, navigate to the Creation Club. Here you will find all the Anniversary content.
- Download all Creations: If the content hasn’t been downloaded automatically, you will see a “Download All” option within the Creation Club. Click on this to install all the content.
Verifying the Upgrade
Once the content is installed, you can verify it by:
- Checking the Credits: Go to the in-game credits screen. As the symbol is rising up, it should say “Skyrim Anniversary Edition” right below it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Skyrim Anniversary Edition a free upgrade?
No, the Anniversary Edition upgrade is not free. You must purchase the upgrade separately if you own the Skyrim Special Edition. The full Anniversary Edition is available for purchase separately if you do not own the Special Edition.
2. Do I need to own Skyrim Special Edition to get the Anniversary Edition content?
Yes, you must own Skyrim Special Edition to access the Anniversary Edition upgrade content.
3. What’s included in the Anniversary Edition upgrade?
The Anniversary Edition upgrade includes all existing and new content from the Creation Club. This adds new quests, dungeons, bosses, weapons, spells, and other content, effectively expanding the game considerably. This results in over 70 Creation Club items being added.
4. Is the Anniversary Edition upgrade worth it?
The upgrade is worth it if you want to experience new content and have a deeper dive into the Skyrim universe. It is especially worthwhile if you enjoy collecting items and tackling new challenges. The improved visuals that come along with the PS5 upgrade make it a worthwhile upgrade for the game.
5. Can I play my old save files with the Anniversary Edition?
Yes, you can continue your existing save files with the Anniversary Edition content. You don’t need to start a new game to experience the additional content.
6. Is the PS5 upgrade free for Skyrim?
If you already own the PS4 version of Skyrim Special Edition, you can get the PS5 version at no extra cost. However, this is just the visual upgrade to take advantage of the PS5’s improved processing power. The Anniversary Upgrade costs extra.
7. Do I need a Bethesda account to play Skyrim Anniversary Edition?
A Bethesda.net account is not required for the main game and single player content. However, a Bethesda.net account may be needed for specific add-ons or online services. You need it to access Creation Club content.
8. Does the Anniversary Edition install automatically?
The core Anniversary Edition content will automatically download and install when you launch the game after purchasing the upgrade. However, you may have to initiate the download of additional Creation Club content through the Creation Club menu if it is not downloaded automatically.
9. What is the difference between Skyrim Special Edition and Anniversary Edition?
The Special Edition includes the base game and its official DLCs (Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn). The Anniversary Edition includes all of that, plus additional content from the Creation Club like new quests, dungeons, items, and more, resulting in a decade worth of content.
10. How do I know if Skyrim Anniversary Edition is installed?
You can verify if the Anniversary Edition is installed by checking the in-game credits. The text should say “Skyrim Anniversary Edition” if installed successfully.
11. Do I need a disc of the Special Edition to get the Anniversary Edition upgrade?
If you own a digital version of Skyrim Special Edition, you only need to purchase the upgrade. If you own the physical disc version, you will still need the disc to play the game, even after upgrading to the Anniversary Edition.
12. How long is the Skyrim Anniversary Upgrade content?
The Anniversary Edition content adds a significant amount of gameplay time, potentially adding around 100 hours of additional content. This includes new quests and unique items to collect.
13. What is Creation Club?
Creation Club is Bethesda’s platform for curated, community-developed content that is officially supported in the game. The Anniversary Edition relies heavily on Creation Club content.
14. Is Skyrim Anniversary Edition the full game?
The Anniversary Edition is both the full game and the upgrade. It contains the base Skyrim Special Edition game along with the added Creation Club content. Players that own Special Edition can just buy the upgrade rather than the full game.
15. Do I need to upgrade to play the latest Skyrim mods?
No, most mods currently don’t require the Anniversary Edition DLC. Most mod developers have created their content to work with Special Edition. The Anniversary Edition is only needed if you want access to the Creation Club content.
By following these steps and understanding the information provided, you should be able to smoothly upgrade your Skyrim experience on PS5 and delve into the vast array of new adventures the Anniversary Edition has to offer. Happy adventuring, Dragonborn!