Developers Weigh in on PlayStation 4 Cross-Play

After this morning’s announcement that the PlayStation 4 would begin supporting cross-platform play, beginning with Fortnite, other developers have begun weighing in on this recent development.

[lxeasy]

This is yet another Victory for us gamers. We urged PS to change their stance on cross play and it looks like we finally got our way. So many games will benefit from this.

[Eonjay]

Sony was very forth coming in their reasoning. What would it take to satisfy critics at this point? Just kidding, I know know the critics never wanted Sony to actually do it. Can't summon enough fake rage while pretending this is what they wanted. What are they mad at now?

[timotim]

Actually...we really did want them to do it and I am happy that they have. Forth coming or not, we always knew it could and should be done...it was just a question of effort. You see once Sony put forth some, they managed to make it happen. He doesn't sound mad at all - the opposite actually haha.

[JackBNimble]

I'm curious what most developers actually do now. Will most developers use this and implement cross-play, or will things stay the same?

I guess only time will tell.

[starchild]

Oh come on. That's the narrative that extremists tell themselves in an attempt to justify their own backward stance on the issue. In truth, a wide range of gamers wanted to see this happen because it's a positive option for gamers to have.

[darthv72]

I'm very glad Sony is on board but we know that if MS had been on board last gen then none of this would be an issue. MS came to their senses this gen and Sony took a bit more convincing but regardless of who did what first the bottom line is console gamers will now be able to compete in the online space regardless of platform.

Well... in fortnite at least, but they all have to start somewhere.

[generic-user-name]

Apparently they're not mad at MS holding F2P games like Fortnite behind a paywall. I barely see anybody talking about that, much less consumer friendly if you ask me and borderline false advertisement.

[rainslacker]

Well, for the future, once Sony offers it up for all instead of just a beta, the media can gripe and moan over indivudal games that come out and don't have cross play. But that will get old pretty fast, because most games likely won't offer it. Then things will just go back to the way they were before the Rocket League guy said something.....which will be general indifference, with barely a nod when it is there, and a complete indifference when it's not.

Its great that its possible now, but I really don't think that we'll see vast changes to how these games release for the future. Maybe a very slow burn to become a common feature.

[shuvam09]

While I wasn't in favour of this, I'm glad this is finally over...

[thejigisup]

I'm still not in favour of this. I think it's a step in the wrong direction. Crossplay wasn't needed at all.

[crazyCoconuts]

The real victory that Epic (and other developers/publishers) get is in cross BUY. Not having to pay Sony 30% cut, selling their goods in their own marketplace, etc. They used gamers to get riled up and pressure platform holders so that they can make more $. Just like Epic not using the Google Play store ..

[rainslacker]

Is that the case here? Can the fortnite stuff brought on mobile be used on Xbox and Switch?

While I know Epic, and likely other publishers want that, I can't imagine any console maker is going to be fine with losing all that money across the board. There is absolutely no overriding reason for any of them to allow that if that's the case, and I can't even imagine MS would be cool with that. Losing a bit through another console maker is one thing, but losing all sales across the board across all the platforms though....that wouldn't fly.

[crazyCoconuts]

Yes, that's what just happened. Buy a battle pass on your character anywhere (ie switch) and use it on PS4. What really caused the outcry wasn't cross play, it was getting locked out of the Epic account on Switch because it was used on PS4. That's really a cross buy issue

[UltraAtomic]

Look at the Sony ponys disagree with you! Honestly this should be wanted by every gamer. I would love to play overwatch against a ps4 user. Not pc though! There too good 😞

[TKCMuzzer]

I'm pretty sure 90% of gamers don't care to be honest. I'm a gamer and i'm sick of all the the entitled whining that goes on from 'modern gaming'. No one just seems to play games anymore, its more about getting something for nothing.

[gravedigger]

When i saw Bethesda's tweet in article, I had to chuckle.

Does IGN have any idea that Bethesda for Fallout 76 blamed Sony for lack of supporting cross-play with other consoles, and now when Sony opened cross-play in Fortnite, Bethesda said that cross-play for Fallout 76 wasn't planned at all and now Bethesda is back pedaling now?

Guess not.

[SLiSH83]

It wasn’t planned because Sony was firm at the time saying no to cross play.

I’m sure fallout will get a cross play patch at some point.

[gravedigger]

@SLiSH83

According to Bethesda before, they wanted to implement cross-play, but they blamed Sony on this one.

Todd Howard told GameStar.de (via CNet) that “we would love to do [cross-play]” in Fallout 76, “but right now that’s not possible.” The reason, he says, is Sony, which is “not as helpful as everyone would like.”

https://www.theverge.com/20...

So, Bethesda tried to collect easy points blaming Sony, now, when Sony opened cross-play for other consoles, now Bethesda said that cross-play for Fallout 76 wasn't planned. That's BACK PEDALING. Read the main tweet and you'll see similar reaction from others :

https://mobile.twitter.com/...

[ZaWarudo]

The true console war begins.

[SuperSaiyanGod41]

So Todd Howard throws Sony under the bus to help his buddy at Microsoft and after Sony allows crossplay now they are saying they never had crossplay intended for fallout 76. Hypocrites.

[Kribwalker]

why would you plan something if it isn’t allowed? Now with the game just over 1 month from release, you can’t be jumping up and down and be like “Add it”. If it comes now it will take time to implement it. If they would have gotten the OK a few years ago, it could be included at launch.

You’re asking these guys to snap their fingers to have something that was planned because it wasn’t allowed

[sampsonon]

ok, without even reading the article i can say this, devs like the fact that you need to buy two copies and dlc for each console. now that this isn't the case, who do you think will end up paying for their loss in revenue?

games will go up $10 within the next year.

watch

[Gamble20]

Very few people were buying two copies of the same game, or paying for the same DLC twice.

[sampsonon]

the reason for this whole crossplay bull is because of this fact...
if you wanted to play with your friends, the majority of people that own a ps4, you would have to buy a ps4.
the people, the few, that purchased an xbox one when it launched had to buy a ps4, the game, and the DLC, in order to play with their friends. Yes i understand Fortnite is a f2p game, but the items purchased = the same idea.

they will lose revenue and they will raise prices for games and or dc to offset their loses.

[The 10th Rider]

You still have to buy two copies of a game and two copies of DLC to play on two consoles. That hasn't and won't change.

[sampsonon]

not when you can cross play.you really don't get it do you?

[Cohagen420]

If a friend has the game on a different system you won't need to buy a copy on that system to play with them..

[TheDriz]

Gamers will ignore technical limitations

[timotim]

A big win for gamers everywhere!!!

[blacktiger]

This is only for free to play, so still Minecraft can't join, smart move to avoid anti-consumer

[timotim]

Is that right? Only for free to play titles? Why is that?

[ShadowWolf712]

Absolutely nowhere did they say it's only for Free to Play titles. They said they're starting with one to see what all they'll need to adjust as they open the platform for more titles in the future.

[blacktiger]

That's what polygon said. Maybe I'm wrong

[j15reed]

As far as what I've read its only for Fortnite, it's not like they opened up cross play for everybody...

[masterfox]

Well there you have it Sony had to fix an "issue" that it didn't exist, waste time on something totally irrelevant , like I mention in past comments, when you buy a PS4 nowhere in the damn box displays crossplay is a feature, If I buy a PS4 is to play PS4 games and expecting online games played with PS4 users NO! other console users, something more besides that is an extra and not something that I'm entitled to have in my console and you should appreciate that extra benefit and not make a rant of it.

The only thing we can grab from this is that as you can see you know why Playstation is number 1 in this game industry they even listen to little rants like this one.

[MellauxGMNG]

Lol, so basically if the feature isn't on the box then you don't want it? You've taken blind fanboy to a whole new level.

[masterfox]

is not about being a fanboy is about using your a brain a bit , ask anyone about why they would buy a PS4 and 100 % nobody will tell they are buying it because it has crossplay feature, the problem here is that some pricks think they are entitled to have everything so they make a rant of it if they don't have it. ;)

[CarlDechance]

""We believe in giving gamers the opportunity to play the games they want with the people they want. Whether that means working with our partners to deliver cross-network play with games like ‘Rocket League’ and ‘Fortnite’ or enabling cross-device play with the likes of Minecraft, we are supportive of new scenarios that enable more people to play and have fun together while gaming. We would love to bring players on PlayStation 4 into our Minecraft ecosystem as well, but have nothing further to share at this time.”'

Hmmm, so what about the number of Xbox One games that only have cross play with Windows 10 Store versions? Games like Ark, Deep Rock Galactic, and Final Fantasy XV. What is MS going to do about that?

[timotim]

I think that's up to the devs...

[Bladesfist]

I don't get why this has disagrees. None of those games are owned by Microsoft. Why would it be Microsoft's job to add cross platform with PS4 on games they don't own?

[ILostMyMind]

@Bladesfist
I think he is complaining about Win 10 Store and why not Steam.

[Silly gameAr]

The people that were screaming the loudest for cross play, aren't even supporting cross play, except fortnite. Boy, this sure is a great thing for us gamers.

[TheEnigma313]

I hope they let you choose what console you want to play with.

[Majin-vegeta]

From Tiggr BF MP producer
https://mobile.twitter.com/...

[milohighclub]

I love how everyones been a dick in the comments, yet again. It wasn't needed, I'm not happy, it doesn't benefit me. Blah blah.
I don't play fortnite or rocket league but I'm pleased for the people that do and own multiple consoles or have friend on different platforms. A more flexible network is always good for the consumer.
Some might not appreciate it now but when it benefits them it will.

I can't wait until there's a game that comes out on ps and switch so i can use play on the go on the switch and on my ps at home.

👏

[ILostMyMind]

Are you applauding yourself? 🙄

[milohighclub]

Haha, should I be? Nah, applauding Sony for the crossplay.

[HeyNowChillax]

Now do this with Black Ops 4 and we'll have a world wide system wars in effect. Would be great fun, PS vs Xbox

[Cohagen420]

Its so funny how naive you are..

[spwittbold]

I wonder if cross-play will support cross-chat service with XBL and PSN...that would really be a victory. Even better, cross-friends list...somehow.

[Majin-vegeta]

I saw someone in one of the gaming facebook groups I'm in mention.That cross chat works

[ILostMyMind]

A list of players is an easy task, but voice chat is a service app. They should all use the same app for this to work. Unlikely.

[willo116]

A great milestone for all gamers, this should be standard from now on.

[ILostMyMind]

That could have been so for several years if Microsoft had not blocked it.

[Gr8saiyaman88]

So much sonyponying around here

"Good for all gamers! Now we can play together!" -- downvotes!

"omg who carez? so lame, not good for gaming or my beloved sony" -- upvotes!

[Realms]

LOL. Sony called MS bluff now what, maybe now MS can stop yapping about cross play and focus on what they should been focused all along developing interesting new games.

[neomahi]

Why doesn't Microsoft just throw in the towel and develop games on Sonys consoles then?

[milohighclub]

If they do as appallingly next gen as they have this they may just do that. At the end of the day, it's m$ they'll do what's best for their pockets and the current model can't be lining them.

[Bronxs15]

now flick that switch on ROCKET LEAGUE

[WickedLester]

I think the biggest misconception among consumers and critics with regards to Sony and their stance on crossplay is they seem to think Sony was simply being spiteful. Like they were just standing there with their arms folded, refusing to flip a switch as if it were that simple. It's not! I talked to a Sony PR representative several months ago and he told me that the reason Sony refused crossplay with Xbox and Switch at that time was because in order to do so, they were required to share specific algorithms with MS and Nintendo that Sony used to gather valuable data from their users. He said that kind of data was too confidential and it was unreasonable to expect Sony to reveal that information to their competitors.

Now obviously a work around has been found and that's great for gamers. However it's not as simple as "Yesterday Sony said no and today they said yes due to consumer pressure." You're giving yourself too much credit if you think that. This has been in the works for a while now, I guarantee you.