A popular Xbox game is coming to PS5 next month; you can get it for free if you meet one condition

After multiple hints and rumors, Xbox has confirmed that one of its most popular games will arrive on PlayStation 5 with a native port. In case you don't remember, back in mid-June Mojang Studios announced a version of Minecraft with several improvements for Sony's console.

In case you didn't know, currently Minecraft runs on PlayStation 5 through backward compatibility with PlayStation 4. Meanwhile, the version for Xbox Series X|S is the Xbox One version. Thus, Minecraft will finally have a native port for a current-generation console.

Mojang Studios has shared more details about this release, so we now know its release date, some of the improvements PlayStation 5 users will enjoy, and a way to get it for free.

When will Minecraft debut on PS5 and what improvements will it have?

Minecraft fans can already mark their calendars, as its native port for PlayStation 5 will be available starting on October 22, so there's just over a month until its release. The good news is that it will be available as a free upgrade for those who already own the game on PS4.

As for the improvements, more than one player might be disappointed, especially those expecting ray tracing support. Unfortunately, this technology will not be implemented in the PlayStation 5 port, so it will remain absent from the game on consoles.

However, the new version will feature other optimizations, allowing players to enjoy Minecraft in 4K and 60 fps on Sony's console. Additionally, it will have improved rendering distances. It's worth mentioning that these improvements are already present in the game's version for Xbox Series X|S thanks to automatic optimizations.

That said, PlayStation 5 will only offer a version with better performance while maintaining cross-play. To get the port at no cost, all you need to do is have a copy of the game for PS4, go to the PlayStation Store from your PlayStation 5, and claim the digital copy.

At the time of writing, Mojang Studios has not confirmed a native version of the game or additional improvements for Xbox Series X|S players. They also did not discuss the possible arrival of ray tracing in a future update.