Despite a pre-E3 leak, Bethesda’s confirmation of an Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Special Edition for Xbox One, PS4 and PC was one of the better reveals at the annual gaming expo.

It’s especially good news for PC owners, who have been told that they will receive the updated game for free if they’ve got the original Skyrim and its DLC on Steam. The same is true for owners of the Legendary Edition.

So if you already own the Steam version of Skyrim and the Dawnguard, Hearthfire and Dragonborn expansions, then you won’t have to fork out any additional cash when the game re-launches in October.

The news of a PC freebie hasn’t gone down too well with one or two console users, however, who complained to Bethesda VP of marketing Pete Hines on Twitter.

Hines was quick to point out that PC owners can already get all the benefits of the Special Edition by installing graphical and texture mods at no extra cost.

“We’re making a game available for Xbox one and PS4,” he said. “It already exists on PC, with high res textures.”

Hines was then asked why Xbox 360 and PS3 owners would have to pay for Skyrim again on Xbox One and PS4. “Because it’s for a new platform,” he replied. “Just like any other remaster for new platforms.”

Skyrim Special Edition’s premium price tag was also criticised, especially given that Dishonored: Definitive Edition launched at a budget price on Xbox One and PS4.

“So we are done debating why it isn’t free and moving on to the price?” Hines continued. “Price is the price. Every game is different,” he added.

Even though Xbox One and PS4 users will have to pay for the game again, Skyrim Special Edition will be packed with features previously only available on PC.

Winner of more than 200 Game of the Year Awards, the Special Edition includes the critically acclaimed game and add-ons with all-new features like remastered art and effects, volumetric god rays, dynamic depth of field, screen-space reflections, and more. 

Xbox One and PS4 owners will also be able to download and install mods, similar to Fallout 4.

The game will be available on Xbox One, PS4 and PC from October 28. The store page is live on Steam, although UK pricing is yet to be revealed.