Xbox Series X: What is Smart Delivery and how it works

In this year's next-gen race, we are at the point when almost all cards are on the table, from both sides.

We now know the look of both Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, we know hardware specs, we know how controllers look and what is the technology behind them, we saw some of the games and most of the features that will come with the consoles.

The only unknown aspects still remain the price and the exact launch dates.

• Read more: Xbox will no longer provide codes for digital goods bundled with Xbox consoles

Both consoles have their strong points, both in terms of hardware and games, as well as features they will bring.

One exceptionally positive and consumer-friendly feature that will come with Xbox Series X is called Smart Delivery, and it really looks like a perfect feature which gamers will want to have in this transition period.

What is Smart Delivery?

Smart Delivery is a new technology Microsoft will introduce with Xbox Series X. In short, it will ensure that you always play the best version of the games you own for your console, across generations.

For example, if you buy Halo Infinite when it comes out later this year, you will need only one copy to play the game on both Xbox Series X and Xbox One.

And not just that you don't need to buy a separate copy, but Smart Delivery will recognize on which console are you currently playing and it will deliver the best possible version of the game for that system. 

• Read more: More details on the technology behind Xbox Series X

Smart Delivery will automatically provide the best version of the game for your system, you don't need to choose which version to download or anything similar.

The only thing required is that the game supports Smart Delivery.

Which games support Smart Delivery?

(Picture: Microsoft)

A plethora of Xbox Game Studios titles will be optimised to support Smart Delivery, but this technology will be available to other developers as well if they choose to use it for their games. 

It is up to developers and publishers to choose if their game will take advantage of Smart Delivery.

This is the current list of games that will support Smart Delivery.

• Halo Infinite 
• Cyberpunk 2077 
• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla 
• Destiny 2 
• DiRT 5 
• Scarlet Nexus 
• Chorus 
• Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 
• Yakuza: Like a Dragon 
• The Ascent 
• Call of the Sea 
• Gears 5 
• Second Extinction 
• Metal: Hellslinger 

Do Xbox Game Pass games support Smart Delivery?

(Picture: Microsoft)

Yes, it is confirmed that Smart Delivery will be enabled for Xbox Game Pass titles that leverage it.

Outside of Xbox Game Studios titles, it will be up to the individual developer to determine whether they take advantage of Smart Delivery.  

Will progress be saved across consoles with Smart Delivery?

(Picture: Microsoft)

Yes, you won't have to worry about losing any progress.

You can play a Smart Delivery optimised game on your Xbox One in your bedroom, and then go into your living room and continue playing it on Xbox Series X, right there where you left it, but optimised for Xbox Series X.

Besides that, thanks to Xbox compatibility across generations, your game library, progression and entire gaming legacy moves forward with you if you jump into the next generation with Xbox Series X. 

Will Xbox Series X come with backward compatibility?

Yes, Smart Delivery is just a special new technology, and that is in addition to the thousands of games you’ll be able to bring with you to Xbox Series X via back-compatibility on day one.