Sony wasn’t deflecting when it said it was exploring ways to support cross-console play on the PlayStation 4 – it was telling the truth. PlayStation president John Kodera has taken to the PlayStation Blog to announce an extended Fortnite beta which will allow you to play Epic Games’ gargantuan hit across the PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, among other systems. But this is about more than just one game: it’s a company-wide policy change.
“For 24 years, we have strived to deliver the best gaming experience to our fans by providing a uniquely PlayStation perspective,” Kodera said. “Today, the communities around some games have evolved to the point where cross-platform experiences add significant value to players. In recognition of this, we have completed a thorough analysis of the business mechanics required to ensure that the PlayStation experience for our users remains intact today, and in the future, as we look to open up the platform.”
He continued: “This represents a major policy change for Sony, and we are now in the planning process across the organisation to support this change. We will update the community once we have more details to share, including more specifics regarding the beta timeframe, and what this means for other titles going forward.”
There’s an argument that the company may have had his hand forced, but whatever the case, this is evidence that it’s not running around with its fingers in its ears; sales haven’t been affected by this “scandal” at all, so it’s re-evaluated things because it thinks it’s the right thing to do. Ultimately, this is huge news, which is going to have a knock-on effect across the entire industry moving forwards.
[source blog.us.playstation.com]
Comments 45
This is excellent news and illustrates that it isn't a fluke that Sony is the leader this generation.
it does go to show that even big companies are willing to change, whether or not it was because fans wanted it or because they saw money in it i don't know but it's still a change that years ago they never would have done
@SlimDrizzyLamar Yeah this, microsoft didn't want cross-play when they're on top, in the other hand, sony didn't have problem with cross-play when they're on top. Unlike microsoft, sony isn't all talk no action.
I do think we need to take into account the wording of "select third party" content. I'm not sure how selective they will be, but it is a slight asterisk to this whole story. This is a good start, though.
Provided they're doing this in good faith rather than succumbing to FWP audience meddling, nice to hear. But then again, developers have been interested as well (including Bethesda recently), and that's always worth a lot more.
@wiiware Just to add, when Microsoft said no to cross-play a few years ago, everyone didn't go up in arms about it like they did with Sony now.
@Turismo4GT the people that claimed that sony was against consumers and devs because they did not want cross play,where never sony fans in the first place.
but hey atleast those people,youtubers and gaming sites will now shut up about it including todd howard.
This is huge and I hope in the future we get this across all games! This should be the norm. I'm really happy with this news but let's wait and see how this pans out.
For the players!
@Tjuz to be fair even on the XB1 and Switch it's only with select third party content too
YES! Now we can finally get Elder Scrolls Legends on PS4!
@nhSnork Yeah, when ps5 is arrive in the next one or two years, it pays to be in the good side of 3rd party publishers. I think it's more 3rd party publishers that moves sony to support this rather than internet outrage.
@Deadlyblack Yup, I think it's a bit hypocritical.
So we got
>The ability to download games from PS Now for offline play
>And now Cross-Play
Can we finally get Backwards compatibility? could that be next? I know they can't really do PS3 because of the cell processor but at least PS1 and PS2 those should be easy
@Octane This is the true megaton 🤣
@BambooBushido Ps1 and ps2 bc will be great, just give it a good anti aliasing filter
@Tjuz Not really. It's still down to the developer whether they actually want to do it at the end of the day. The policy change means they now can, but they obviously don't have to. Thus, "select" content.
@get2sammyb you already know that when a dev doesn't want crossplay for their game,people STILL are going to blame sony...
again it's weird that the biggest and most popular console maker get's so much hate.
@Flopsy I'm sure there'll be an option to disable it.
This is clearly "for the players". Even if I do not care about online and cross play games, it is nice to read, that Sony - contrary to the claim of Xbox and Nintendo fanboys - is customer friendly. But now, you are very welcome to shut the eff up and stop complaining about PlayStation, dear Xbox and Nintendo Switch defense forces.
Good on them for budging- unlike MS last gen, but I do wonder what this means for the long term future of console gaming.
Shared online communities. One step closer to no more dedicated home consoles. Great.
And people thought #4ThePlayers was just a marketing slogan
Now what could this mean for the future? Cos if Sony are allowing this (when they didn't really need too) then what other policy changes might we see down the line?
Spiderman spydeman had a plan lets crossover to the cozy side
Oh good, I look forward to playing God of War, Spiderman and Last of Us 2 multiplayer battles with XBOTS! Oh wait.....🤔 Apologies, just joshing with you, don't spit your dummy out! 😂😂😂
@get2sammyb Fair enough. That could definitely be the case, and I admit I jump to cynicism quickly when it comes to the gaming industry in general. That said, I still think it's worth keeping in mind in case they did mean it the way I initially interpreted it.
The thing that bothers me is that up until recently, PS was so hostile to the idea of crossplay, "it's unnecessary, it's dumb, hardly anyone wants it, etc.." I've certainly been attacked a lot around here for wanting crossplay and my insistence it's inevitable, now I'm seeing nothing but praise for how awesome Sony is for doing this.
People always hate what their opponent does, until "their team" does it, then it's great.
I can say good decision Sony, but I can also say it took you guys long enough.
@Shepherd_Tallon Yeah maybe they also secretly added BC and PSN name change haha 😄
Cool I guess
@Deadlyblack I've been saying that for months now, MS wasn't interested at all when they were at top with 360. Yet Sony cross played with pc with Portal 2 and now this gen MS start a wise crack about cross play and then everyone is up in arms about it. But what really started the fire was the accounts lock for Fortnite mainly I don't think anyone was really that bothered about it, I certainly wasn't
@Nakatomi_Uk
That was planned for a while and 'insiders' were saying crossplay was supposed to be by the end of March 2019. It was supposed to be announced possibly around December but maybe that account lock story got them to speed things up
Great move! Awesome. The barriers are finally breaking down. I think this will profit Sony. The more cross-play there is, the more advantage I think they’ll have. One of two reasons people tend to buy an Xbox is to play with their friends. Remove that reason, and why not get a PS4 where you can have game and your friends?
Also, timed exclusivity could have a larger impact. If Destiny had cross-play and Xbox didn’t have some PS4 weapson, it’d just Rub it in their faces.
its a positive for the industry as a whole. Personally looking forward to Soul Calibur Crossplay "fingers crossed"
@Flopsy You wouldn't feel safe? Lol what? How? What are they gonna do to you?
Its funny how this quote is so easy to forget now, "On cross-platform, our way of thinking is always that PlayStation is the best place to play. Fortnite, I believe, partnered with PS4 is the best experience for users – that's our belief." on why they were saying no to cross platform. So are we just supposed to belive that Sony is now the good guy in all this debacle ? Lets face it its all down to the stick the fans and Devs were giving them.
I'm cool with it. I might not make use of cross play, but I've never been against the idea. At the very least the bad PR is off their back.
At the end of the day, it's essentially a bonus feature.
hmm.. if it's going to become commonplace going forward, i'm hoping it's something you have to opt into rather than being forced into and the default is to remain only within the PS4 user base. not specifically for fortnight because i don't play it, but i'd prefer to play only against other PS4 players.
Sony announces Vita is ending, no future handhelds.
Switch is huge in Japan. And doing ok elsewhere as well.
Switch has Fortnite bundles.
Sony lets PS4 owners, and likely PS5 owners, play online with Switch owners in Japan. Who all own a Switch anyway for Splatoon 2.
MS is a by product, Switch owners as the defacto handheld in Japan, and elsewhere, is the big prize.
No one in my house has ever played PUBG, Fortnite, whatever, despite all being gamers. But I'm tempted to try this out now as I, or my kids, can play on the big screen TV while the other plays portable on the Switch, in the same room.
Switch + PS4 = the Wii U couch mutliplayer I was promised but never received.
Sony took way too long to allow this, but it's the right decision.
@JoeBlogs I am. 🙂
I don't care for cross play but this is huge for what it means, Sony listening to customers needs.
Rejoice! Hopefully this move encourages more developers to include crossplay in their games.
Bet Sony love Bethesda right now. Peter Hines fuelled the flames on this saying they wouldnt release certain content on playstation without cross play. And then after Sony's announcement today:
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-09-26-fallout-76-will-not-support-cross-play-bethesda-confirms
I'm glad they did this but the PR song and dance before they did this was not needed. First they didn't have it because Sony was the best place to game and now there is cross play. If they had just said they were working on it from the get go I think a lot of the blow back would have been averted.
Nice. I already have to download games updates about multiplayer even if I play only offline games, then games update about PS4 Pro enhancement even if I have an OG PS4, now games updates about cross-playing...
Its good though, I guess its probably going to benefit the popular games. It could help smaller communities, that would be nice.
Good, glad Sony is actually listening and will change stance on issues that can be seen as being anti-consumer.
Awesome, glad they changed the policy.
I don’t particularly care much about this, but congratulations for people who do really want to play online with their friends.
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