Xbox Smart Delivery: Everything you need to know

Microsoft showed off its latest wares at its Xbox Series X event on Thursday, the first in a series of monthly shows called Xbox 20/20. Fans got a peek at gameplay for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, due for release this holiday season for the highly anticipated new Xbox Series X console, as well as for the Xbox One, PlayStation, PC and Google Stadia. 

Microsoft also revealed third-party launch titles for the Xbox Series X — at least nine exist so far. In July, Microsoft will unveil its own Xbox Game Studios games for the new console. 

In addition to faster loading times, backward compatibility and Quick Resume, Microsoft’s new console comes with Smart Delivery. Here’s everything you need to know about this new feature.

Read more: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla lets you attack Dark Ages England

What is Smart Delivery?

Smart Delivery lets you buy a game for the Xbox One, with a Series X copy automatically included. If you upgrade your console later, Microsoft feeds the console the appropriate version of the game. Smart Delivery essentially means that you’ll always be playing the latest, best-quality version of the game, and you only have to buy it once. The feature might seem old hat to PC gamers who’ve long had the ability to have remastered versions of games automatically patched in via Steam. 

To use Smart Delivery, you’ll need the new Xbox Series X console once it’s released, and the game must be compatible. 

Which games will use Smart Delivery?

Microsoft said it will use Smart Delivery on all exclusive Xbox Game Studios titles optimized for the Xbox Series X, including Halo Infinite. Madden 21 will be available for a limited time. The technology has also been made available to developers and publishers for them to use. 

Here are the Smart Delivery-enabled games that we know about so far: 

• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
• Call of the Sea
• Chorus
• Cyberpunk 2077
• Halo Infinite
• Hellblade 2
• Dirt 5
• Scarlet Nexus
• Second Extinction
• The Ascent
• Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2
• Yakuza: Like a Dragon

For more, check out everything we know about the Xbox Series X so far.