As an avid Call of Duty player and gaming enthusiast, I‘ve followed the evolution of the Cross Gen Bundle closely. With new console generations comes new complexities for gamers looking to upgrade while maintaining progress across devices.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll provide insider insights into everything you need to know about the Call of Duty Cross Gen Bundle – how it works across console generations, what‘s included, whether you need it, and tips to get the most out of cross-gen support.
Bridging the Generation Gap: A Primer on Cross Gen Gaming
Cross gen gaming refers to games that are designed for both older and newer consoles. For example, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is optimized for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
According to Sony, cross gen titles "work across PS4 and PS5 consoles, though some features, settings, and game modes may differ between platforms." [1]
Cross gen support allows players to upgrade consoles while carrying over progress, purchases, and playtime from their old devices. You don‘t have to start over or repurchase the game.
Here are some key benefits cross gen gaming offers players:
- Continuity: Maintain all progression, unlocks, stats when upgrading consoles
- Backward compatibility: Play with friends who haven‘t upgraded yet
- Flexibility: Switch between console generations freely
- Future-proofing: Don‘t have to re-buy games if you upgrade
Now let‘s see how the Cross Gen Bundle delivers these benefits for Call of Duty.
Inside the Call of Duty Cross Gen Bundle
The Cross Gen Bundle is a special edition that includes access to Call of Duty on both console generations within a family – PlayStation 4 + PlayStation 5 or Xbox One + Xbox Series X/S.
According to Activision, the Cross Gen Bundle includes: [2]
- The latest Call of Duty game
- Supported on previous gen and current gen consoles
- All bonuses, special edition content
- Cross progression and cross-gen play
This bundle eliminates the need to purchase two separate editions to play across console generations. You get one game with support for both PS4/PS5 or Xbox One/Series X/S.
Cross Progression
Your full multiplayer and campaign progress is synchronized across console generations via your Call of Duty account. This includes:
- Player level, XP, unlocks
- Battle pass progression
- Store purchases (blueprints, bundles, COD Points)
- Custom loadouts and settings
This allows you to switch between generations at any time without losing progress.
Cross-Gen Play
With crossplay, Call of Duty players on all platforms can play together – this extends across console generations too.
Lobbies combine players from PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Friends on old consoles can play with friends who have upgraded.
Optimizations
Cross gen titles are optimized to take advantage of new hardware capabilities and features of modern consoles.
For example, PS5 and Xbox Series X offer up to 120FPS, improved textures, ray tracing integration, and faster loading times. You‘ll get an enhanced experience on new consoles while keeping your progression.
Standard vs. Cross Gen Editions
For those wondering whether they need the Cross Gen Bundle for Call of Duty, let‘s compare the key differences between the Standard and Cross Gen editions:
| Edition | Consoles Supported | Cross Progression | Optimizations | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Single generation only (PS4 or PS5) | No | None | $59.99 |
| Cross Gen Bundle | PS4 + PS5 Xbox One + Xbox Series |
Yes | Enhanced new-gen | $69.99 |
As you can see, the Standard edition locks you to a single console generation and does not allow cross progression or cross gen play.
The Cross Gen bundle provides complete cross-platform support and next-gen enhancements for just $10 more. This is why it‘s recommended for players who own both console generations.
Do You Need the Cross Gen Bundle?
While the extra $10 may seem trivial, you‘re essentially "future-proofing" your purchase with the Cross Gen edition. Here are the key reasons to buy the Call of Duty Cross Gen Bundle:
You own both console generations – This enables seamless cross progression and cross gen play with buddies.
You plan to upgrade consoles soon – Carry over level, battle pass purchases, and play on day one.
You want new-gen optimizations – Enjoy 120FPS, ray tracing, and faster loading without starting over.
You play a lot of Call of Duty – Maintain all unlocks and purchases when upgrading down the road.
If you know you‘ll be playing the latest Call of Duty for at least the next 2 years, the Cross Gen edition provides the best long-term value and flexibility.
However, if you only own and plan to play on a single console generation, the Standard edition will suffice for ~$10 less.
Tips to Maximize the Cross Gen Bundle
To help you get the most out of the Cross Gen edition, here are some tips I‘ve picked up as a seasoned Call of Duty player:
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Enable crossplay – This expands matchmaking and allows cross-gen friends to connect.
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Link your Activision account – Progression is tied to your COD account, so make sure it‘s linked properly.
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Disable 120FPS mode on last-gen – This can reduce framerate drops and stability issues.
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Tweak settings per platform – Fine-tune controls, sensitivities, and graphics separately.
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Use new-gen for competitive play – Take advantage of 120FPS for smoother multiplayer.
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Play campaign on new-gen first – Enjoy next-gen visuals, ray tracing, and fast loading.
Following these tips will ensure the Cross Gen edition delivers maximum flexibility and performance across console generations!
The Verdict: A Must-Have for Cross Gen Gamers
The Call of Duty Cross Gen Bundle removes the historical pains of upgrading to new consoles, allowing uninterrupted play, progression, and purchases across generations.
For Call of Duty fans who haven‘t fully transitioned to PS5 or Xbox Series X yet, it‘s an excellent way to future-proof and maximixe the value from your purchase over the next 2-3 years.
While the Standard edition provides a cheaper option for single-console owners, the flexibility, optimizations, and continuity offered by the Cross Gen Bundle make it the recommended choice for dedicated COD players invested across console generations.
