Fortnite Players On Switch Will No Longer Be Matched With Xbox One And PS4 Cross-Play Parties

Cross-play being removed to eliminate advantages due to better performance.

[crazyCoconuts]

After all that fuss, reality sets in...

[Eonjay]

Epic made the decision because it disadvantaged Switch players but I wonder who had the advantage now in mobile: Switch or touch input.

[Fluttershy77]

I would think it disadvantaged both sides, because of the hardware capabilities of the Switch of course, but also the console's internet service. I don't play this but I would expect some lag (and lag diminish the experience both sides).
This is like a huge hit for Crossplay with the Switch in my opinion, because if Epic/Fortnite (probably one of the most popular games right now and one of the richest devs) cannot make it work, what's left for the rest?

[TK-66]

"Epic made the decision because it disadvantaged Switch players but I wonder who had the advantage now in mobile: Switch or touch input."

it's easier for many to try and use this as a "see cross-play bad" when the reality is that the game has a bug that disadvantages weaker hardware which by the sounds of it would also affect PC and mobile players. Perhaps people should be looking at Epic for having a balance breaking bug rather than trying to make this about crossplay.

[UltraNova]

Xplay should have never been a thing, unless full parity in performance, controls and gameplay is guaranteed between all targeted platforms.

[naruga]

Crossplay ....what a BS thing from the start ...Sony knew about it but still thousand of wannabe "named" gamers (probably people who never touched seriously a gamepad)wanted or cried for the opposite ....i want to see their cries now after their so beloved Nntnedo departs from the "MS -created" mockery called crossplay

[GTgamer]

We tried to get Shawn layden to comment on how he feels about this news and this was all we got https://youtu.be/bj63nhV3Vu...

[gangsta_red]

@naruga
"Sony knew about it but still thousand of wannabe "named" gamers"

Sony knew it eh? LMFAO, wow, the absolute delusional fanboys.

Funny that theirs still crossplay between Xbox and PS4, something Sony didn't want either.

""MS -created" mockery called crossplay"

Quick, let's find a way to blame MS!!

[gangsta_red]

@gamingunited

Quick, let's be as ignorant as humanly possible and not use one ounce of thought and just blame MS!

"This means Switch players will automatically matchmake with mobile players and other Switch players. However, it doesn't mean Switch players can no longer play with PS4 and Xbox One folks. To do so, they'll just need to party up, similar to the way mobile and PC players will only play with each other if they're in a cross-play party."

https://www.gamesradar.com/...

Too funny

[Codewow]

You can use controllers on mobile.

[Name Last Name]

I can't believe the amount of hurt people still have because Sony allowed crossplay lmao!

[Jin_Sakai]

“Cross-play being removed to eliminate advantages due to better performance.“

Everyone should’ve seen this coming. Cross-play is overhyped and only a select minority care about it. Sony should’ve never have allowed it.

[PoopsMcGee]

Hopefully, Rocket League will be next.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Lol

[ExplodingJuice]

I agree. Crossplay is just what people latch on to because of stupidity.

[SuperSonic91]

This fiasco just accentuate how weak and disadvantaged the Switch platform is.
Heck even on mobile Fortnite does 60fps!
Its good that MS had to drag Nintendo through all of this PR BS - both got exposed in broad daylight!

Dang! PS4 is just untouchable.

[StormSnooper]

It was a PR ploy. Now reality sets in.

[Silly Mammo]

Should we add crossplay to the growing list of MS broken promises?

[RacerX]

@gamingunited and @silly, X1X has the best performance of all available consoles. How would MS take any blame for Nintendo's weak console?

[EddieNX]

Just to clarify, Switch users CAN still play with people on Xbox one and PS4.

Swith players are not only up against mobile players but also fellow Switch players and the same goes for mobile players.

Plus, the pool is only going to be Switch users vs. mobile users if it’s a solo. If you join someone on PS4, XBox, and PC, and you’re a Switch player, you’ll be included in that pool.

[TheUndertaker85]

This is true and confirmed by Epic Games. Players on any platform will still be able to group up and play together if they do wish. When randomly searching for a match Switch players will no longer be pooled with PS4 or Xbox One.
https://m.imore.com/fortnit...

[Kumakai]

Yeah. That the switch is a POS and ps4 Xbox and pc players still cross play...

[Vizigoth04]

Right? Like people didn't put actual thought into this other than "Oh but it's what the media says the players want, it'll be consumer friendly." Come on Sony. Come one. Budge a little.

[trooper_]

Well, well, well, Sony was smart not to waste valuable resources on crossplay after all.

Where o where are those so-called gamers clamoring for this?

[Kiwi66]

So what is the excuse for Sony having crossplay last/this gen then if its a waste of resources

[Zeref]

dude, you can still play with your friends on PS4 and Xbox One. When you're alone it puts you against mobile and other switch users. And when you're in a party with PS4 and Xbox players you will be put in the console pool.

It's not removing crossplay. It's just changing the matchmaking a little bit.

[Zeref]

you can still play with your friends on PS4 and Xbox...

[TheUndertaker85]

Yes, it has been confirmed by Epic Games. Crossplay is not being removed. Pooling however is changing.
https://m.imore.com/fortnit...

[TheUndertaker85]

https://m.imore.com/fortnit...
“There was some confusion earlier about whether this meant that Switch owners would be able to play with Xbox One and PlayStation 4 owners. Epic Games reached out to confirm that this was indeed the case, but the pooling changes would result "an on-average better per-game experience" for both mobile and Switch players.”

I like made up reality too /s

[Zeref]

PS fanboys are so quick to justify sony's anti consumer actions.

[EddieNX]

Zeref

They've finaly exposed themselves as the laughing stock of the gaming comminity.

The most Immature ,.entitled bunch on N4G.

[SurgicalMenace]

I do have a question: How is Sony anti consumer, when they have delivered generation after generation for the last 25 years? You would think that they would have been gone with being so anti consumer.🤔

Don't let your entitlement blind you to the truth that this only has to do with serving a purpose that you want. If this were something that didn't benefit you, you would be saying nothing. Hey, how about you buy the consoles you desire to play on, last I checked Fortnite is free to play on all avenues. Goofy

[TheUndertaker85]

@SurgicalMenace: Ugh. Sony has been a company for over 25 years. 🤔

Nintendo as a company is over a hundred years old. I’m not sure if you know but companies rebrand all the time. Typically because they’ve either become known as anti-consumer, their products flop, they enter new industries, they get bought out. There’s a rather long list.

Sony was also not always known as Sony.

This is one example of an anti-consumer stance by Sony within the last 25 years though.
https://www.pcworld.com/art...

Their refund policy isn’t exactly consumer friendly either.

[ArchangelMike]

I bet Sony will be rolling their eyes right now.

[SuperSonic91]

Ha!
So no more #survivetogether crap?

Basically Epic is saying when it comes to cross play Switch is the losers platform.
So if Epic knew this was the case why did yhey still push this crossplay agenda of MS?
To think that Sony got so much public crap gor this crap cross play...
another big L for MS and Nintendo

[gangsta_red]

I'm reading these comments and I'm just floored with how ridiculous some are.

Crossplay is still available between Xbox and PS4, nothing changed there. How is this even an L for anyone?

And how is this an agenda of MS when this is a game by Epic and that Epic was pushing to happen. This doesn't even effect MS in the slightest bit, because (once again) there's still crossplay between PS4 and Xbox.

And there's crossplay between mobile devices and Switch. But yeah...MS agenda that Sony knew all along and was getting crapped on for it....poor Sony.

[rainslacker]

They should be elated if this was actually a big issue. I mean, apparently, lack of cross play will cause a system to fail, and with Switch gaining on PS4, it means that Switch will now fail.

Of course, in the real world, cross play isn't an issue at all, and it won't help or hinder system sales, but sometimes one has to address the arguments that people bring up on why cross play is important. It's not like we didn't have many articles citing cross play as one of the reasons why MS would win next gen.

[Kryptix]

I've never and nobody I know has bought a game or bought a console because of cross-play. It's an extra feature, but not one that should be mandatory. Couldn't give a rat's @$$ if Xbox has a small community, I'm on PC, baby!

And with Master Chief Collection announced for Steam and already projected to be more successful than the Xbox version, Microsoft is slowly moving away from their failure.

Let them dream though. Bubble's going to burst any moment inevitably.

[-Foxtrot]

Meanwhile at Sony

https://media1.fdncms.com/o...

[SpaceRanger]

I’m waiting on those that we’re ready to hang Sony for being “anti-consumer” to have the same conviction against Epic.

[Kryptix]

"It just works"

And it didn't and you can clearly see that community being almost non-existent.

There will be no articles about this kind of problem because at the time, it was all just clickbait for "journalists" and the weird Xbox community needed something against Sony at the time it had nothing, even till this day.

[gangsta_red]

Except you can still do crossplay between all three consoles... so I guess you'll be waiting for a long time.

[EddieNX]

You can still play with people on Xbox and PS on Switch.

This is just another classic example of people spinning some none news out of control like always on N4G.

For clarifications, Switch players are not only up against mobile players but also fellow Switch players and the same goes for mobile players.

Plus, the pool is only going to be Switch users vs. mobile users if it’s a solo. If you join someone on PS4, XBox, and PC, and you’re a Switch player, you’ll be included in that pool.

[-Foxtrot]

"This is just another classic example of people spinning some none news out of control like always on N4G"

Well to be fair you would know about that...

https://media.giphy.com/med...

[Sono421]

Eddie, seriously give it up man.. it just looks sad.

[EddieNX]

People are clearly misinformed, I'm here to provide some clarity.

What's hilarious is all the Sony fanboys commenting on here XD!!!!!!!

'crus pleh fukcin suucks Hur dur, Swetch is weak'

Cmon guys, easy you'll hurt my feelings ;( .... /S XD

[gangsta_red]

@MisterLou

Damage control? L.M.A.O! That is so hilarious to read...you know what else is funny to read...

Crossplay is dead! Sony was right!!!

https://www.gamesradar.com/...
"This means Switch players will automatically matchmake with mobile players and other Switch players. However, it doesn't mean Switch players can no longer play with PS4 and Xbox One folks. To do so, they'll just need to party up, similar to the way mobile and PC players will only play with each other if they're in a cross-play party."

https://www.polygon.com/for...
"There’s good news for friends playing on different consoles: They can still invite each other to play Fortnite, regardless of platform. It’s just random matchmaking that comes with the new restrictions on player pools."

Eddie is speaking the truth, Switch players can still crossplay with PS4 and Xbox. But for some reason Microsoft's evil plan of crossplay for a game made by Epic has crashed and burned and now there's much celebration needed...even though Switch,PS4 and Xbox can still crossplay with each other...

Got to love this site!

[SLiSH83]

He is right tho, it’s only for solos.
Switch can still play with any other platform out there. But if you’re doing a solo it’s going to be with people of that particular pool of systems.
I thought that was always the case w solos

[SierraGuy]

I'm still trying to understand why they would allow a 30fps machine to pool with 60fps machines.

Fortnite isn't much of a demanding title graphically and the switch quite simply cannot handle it.

Also when you party up with a teammate on switch you will have a major disadvantage.

[TheUndertaker85]

This is truth. It has been confirmed by Epic Games. The developer of Fortnite and the company who created Fortnite crossplay. Here’s another source to add to gangsta_red too.
https://m.imore.com/fortnit...

“There was some confusion earlier about whether this meant that Switch owners would be able to play with Xbox One and PlayStation 4 owners. Epic Games reached out to confirm that this was indeed the case, but the pooling changes would result "an on-average better per-game experience" for both mobile and Switch players.”

[Sgt_Slaughter]

Due to poor optimization on Epic's part, yet people will use this for their agenda and go "SEE? CROSSPLAY BAD! SONY GOOD!"

[Rude-ro]

Can you tell me exactly what a monopolizing business like Microsoft is actually after with cross-play?
Is it to limit or control hardware?
Is it to open up another avenue of attacking their competitor?
Or is it a push from third party developers so that they can create services/gamepass type approaches to charge monthly fees for?
I mean... what is the reality here in this billion dollar industry?
Or do you really think it is just about letting two consoles install base play together?
If so, I have bridge for sale if you are interested.

[TheUndertaker85]

...This is about Microsoft crossplay how? I thought Fortnite, the title listed here isn’t from Microsoft. Isn’t that why Sony allowed it?

Then doesn’t Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite not have their own crossplay setup? Ya know, the Epic Games account?

Come to think about it... How did you add Microsoft to this conversation again? 🤔

I think you may need that bridge more than others. You need it to fill that gap.

[Rude-ro]

@tgeundertaker85

If it is not about Microsoft, who is it about?
Sony has offered more cross play titles and for longer than any other console on the market...so why is it they who are getting attacked? It makes no sense.
EVERYONE under the sun knows that the best hardware gives an advantage per gaming.
That’s why many console players do not want to play against pc players.
Everyone knows that unless the game is coded to make up for its lack of power, the ps4 and Xbox one x has an advantage over Nintendo’s switch.

Who has the most money in the media out of all the consoles? Microsoft.
Who is suffering from a dying install base due to their lack of software? Microsoft.
If the install base is dying, where are they going? To the competitor.
What is the best part for any company about service plans? People commit, but then stick with it. What does this do to a competitor? Removes their ability to compete due to most people do not want monthly financial responsibilities for multiple devices for one hobby.
How can Microsoft keep this door open? Cross-play and cross-save. Remove the locks of having one service so people can come and go per whatever trend marketing has created.

Microsoft’s entire focus for the last 5 years is this very aspect.
They are fighting for more than a “console”. For the last 20 years, Microsoft has only worked hard on creating strongholds on consumers needs in order to keep their relevance in any aspect they are in.

They are a trillion dollar business because if this.
What do you think they are trying to do when the facts clearly outweigh the pr attack on crossplay.

[Atom666]

Do you have to answer a riddle in order to cross your bridge?

This article is about Switch and mobile cross play, too. Believe it or not, cross play isn't a Microsoft issue. The goal is to expand user bases, increase player retention, and yes, make money off of games. The makers of games...like Fortnite...want those things. Platform holders want these things. Gamers interested in MP want well- supported and populated games.

To respond to one specific point, though. You do realize that a company rejecting crossplay in order to protect its interests in a fully closed system is much more monopolistic than being open to it, right?

[RauLeCreuset]

@Rude-ro

You hush now with that context talk. You know we aren't supposed to consider any of these developments in context. We're supposed to pretend Xbox's sudden crossplay interests are unrelated to their standing in the console market and expressed interests in bringing their services to competitors' platforms.

@Atom

Sony protecting their closed ecosystem is not monopolistic. That's essentially them staying to themselves as opposed to, say, creating a trojan horse to get onto other platforms to make your competitors' customers your own.

[Rude-ro]

@Atom
“Crossplay is not a Microsoft issue”
The cloud based giant that is trying to remove the importance of hardware to control software? That company?

What this articles topic points out... who is controling all of these “crossplay” articles?

Really? So Sony not opening up to Microsoft is monopolizing their brand?
How?
You do realize that, across the globe, Microsoft’s os has been THE largest contributing factor to the largest hacks and information theft in history? Maybe other companies do not find the value in opening up to Microsoft? Just maybe?
See, the beauty of owning and controlling most tech media sites, is the release of information.
What was it, last year when Windows was responsible for THE largest hack in history? But Sony’s breach on a console was worthy of news that went well past a year.
Monopolizing would be buying and soaking up other businesses to protect self interest. To force open closed doors to use other means to strangle our competitors. To drive demand. Marketing and business 101.
Sony approaching cross-play cautiously is not monopolizing, it is protecting its interests. Opening said door to Microsoft opens the possibility for Microsoft to gain controlling interests. Such as internet providers thanks to the net naturality law that was cut. Throttling through third party developers etc...
The door is not a simple hello everyone approach in billion dollar business world.

[Dragonscale]

@rude, good points but you may as well p1ss in the wind.

[Atom666]

Ah, another Netscape fanboy, eh?

I know, I know. Microsoft is paying Epic to make Switch players play with iOS users and then pay nintendolife.com to write about it to attack Sony. It's all part of their goal for global domination.

[trooper_]

@Atom: Did you just call a company protecting its interests a monopolizing entity?

Boy o boyo...someone needs a lesson in Business 101.

[Atom666]

Nah, I said the closed system approach was more monopolistic. Would you not agree that a closed console ecosystem is not an example of a monopolistic market?

No one is calling Sony a monopoly, but neither was Microsoft to the degree people think. Just ask the courts.

[2pacalypsenow]

OK so is the fact the a game is poorly optimized giving people a disadvantage, not a valid reason to stop cross play?

Bad optimization is common in gaming, also the switch has weak hardware.

[TK-66]

It's a valid reason to add the OPTION to disable crossplay like many advocate for. Sea of Thieves even does this so why is it so hard for Epic to add that option for all of you who oppose this feature?

[2pacalypsenow]

If they do that people unaware of the disadvantage will flood epic with complaints.

[TK-66]

"If they do that people unaware of the disadvantage will flood epic with complaints."

Then Epic can just educate them about how to turn it off when they complain.

[2pacalypsenow]

@Sw33tBoi

Its cheaper to just disable it.

[SierraGuy]

How about weak inferior overpriced hardware?

[TK-66]

"Its cheaper to just disable it."

Ah, I never considered how much of a financial burden a simple options setting would be to a hugely successful game raking in billions. My apologies for being so short sighted.

[JackBNimble]

Agenda? The agenda has been against Sony... what are you talking?

[ILostMyMind]

"people will use this for their agenda"

You already did.

[kayoss]

No one said Crossplay was bad. Majority of the people said Crossplay is not necessary. A lot of Playstation owner have voiced their opinion saying that they dont care for crossplay.

[rainslacker]

It's worth looking at at how one system can have an advantage over another with cross play. That in itself doesn't make cross play good or bad, but this is going to be something that happens from time to time. It happens occasionally with PS/PC cross play. It's mostly about finding the balance on the developers part. Some put more effort into it than others.

In this scenario, it's not really that big of a deal, because it's not exactly what the headline implies.

[Dragonscale]

Aaah so the switch being technically inferior is down to 'poor optimisation' eh. Lol.

[BLow]

Where are all the Crossplay fans? This should be the hottest article out there right? Where's all the outrage? I thought fps didn't matter? I want that same energy y'all put up against Sony to be the same for this.

Well, let's sit back and see what actually happens and all the excuses we will hear about this....

[darx]

Relax dude, it's only video games.

[jojo319]

Best comment of the day. LOL

[Ricegum]

"Relax dude, it's only video games."

Oh, is this your go-to comment now that Sony doesn't look half as bad as you made out? Of course. Christ, some of these Microsoft fans, anything to save face.

[RauLeCreuset]

Where was this comment 50 crossplay articles ago?

(It's sad that number may not be an exaggeration.)

[Dragonscale]

Its no just him that needs to chill or had you not noticed. Its the defenders of xplay who are the hottest under the collar lol.

[trooper_]

When that whole argument over crossplay falls apart, we now resort to its only video games?

[spicelicka]

Sony had an issue with it being on xbox, which has the same level of performance. Very nice mini outrage though.

[Blu3_Berry]

Why don't they just fix the performance issue? They are filthy rich, I'm sure they can spend a few bucks find a way to fix the problem for Switch owners. Unless it's got to do with the engine itself then I'm not so sure.

[jznrpg]

Because you can’t make a Switch as powerful as a PS4 or Xbox . Seems fairly obvious

[Blu3_Berry]

Look at DOOM and Wolfenstien (both which are indeed 30 fps) though, they are fairly demanding looking games compared to Fortnite which is more cartoony. I'm sure they can cut a few corners to make it 60 fps.

[2pacalypsenow]

Fortnite has over 100 players in a massive map at the same time, a bit different than a small corridor shooter.

[Fluttershy77]

They probably considered it but came to the conclusion, that it wasn't possible (due to the differences in Hardware and internet capabilities) or wasn't worth it: too expensive to get a minor benefit (minor for them because it's a very popular game in any platform really, so, is not like they lack of players)

[crazyCoconuts]

To up FPS they'd have to lower resolution, effects, and draw distance. It'll still be a disadvantage, just for other reasons.

[SuperSonic91]

Dude, did you read Epic's statement?
30fps put the Switch players in a very huge disadvantage.
Heck, even mobile and tablet players have 60fps advantage over Switch players.
What kind of further optimization you guys want?
The Switch is just way behind in power and tech. Underpowered over hyped and overrated machine.

[SierraGuy]

The games not that demanding if they downgrade it more it'll look like an N64 title while hitting 60fps.

[ocelot07]

So can we expect at least 3 topics per day for the next 6 months about how Nintendo is killing the industry with their poor choice of hardware as it's now ruining crossplay for everyone?

/s

[crazyCoconuts]

Or how MS fanned the cross-play fire to distract attention from their failures on other fronts?

[2pacalypsenow]

It's Nintendo, they can do no wrong.

[SpineSaw]

👏

[badz149]

@ocelot07

If the gaming media isn't bias against Sony, it's only fair if we get that kind of articles on a daily basis from now on until Nintendo make the Switch able to match the performance of the other consoles and true cross-play is allowed again

[ocelot07]

Agreed, Certain sides of the community of N4G has made it known that crossplay is the best thing since sliced bread over the last year. We all should be outraged this happened we all should crucify Nintendo for allowing this to happen.

But let's be honest this is probably the only time we will hear about it. Another random dev will come out next week and blame Sony thrit game is not crossplay for PS4 and we will hear about it for a good week on here.

[rainslacker]

Naaa, the blame will go to Epic. The cross play advocates already made it clear they can see what's going on here, even though they seem completely unable to comprehend any other plausible reason why Sony may not be as evil as they want to posit in most of the other articles.

[jznrpg]

Funny

[william_cade]

They got the cross-play everyone wanted and now they don't want it?

[crazyCoconuts]

Epic got the cross-BUY they wanted, which helps disintermediate the marketplace. As long as the population is big enough they probably don't care about crossPLAY as much...

[william_cade]

good point

[DaDrunkenJester]

This is stupid. If Nintendo players feel like they are at a disadvantage why not just add an option for them to matchmake without crossplay? That way the option is still there for the casual players who aren't annoying try hards to just hop in and have fun with friends on Xbox and PS4?

[Eonjay]

They don't just feel disadvantaged. DF showed that the performance gap means that the same gun will actually shoot faster on other consoles. Reality.

[DaDrunkenJester]

Lol did you need to put "reality" at the end? Is that supposed to signify something?

Anyway, that is a Nintendo problem it seems since it can't push to 60fps. Crossplay won't be perfect for every game, considering that Nintendo only gets a fraction of 3rd party games anyway.

[thejigisup]

As a non switch user for fps I wouldn't want to be at an advantage. Skill should be the only factor in how I approach other players not based on what console they use. Giving a group of players an advantage like fire rate and framerate correlation breaks the game. Even casuals will notice the difference and the advantage is quite significant, EPIC is essentially doing some quality assurance here by making each game for each player base equal. This is one of the main arguments against crossplay.

[DaDrunkenJester]

And that is fine, so why not just add in the option to matchmake without it. OR you fix the firerate issue, because that shouldn't be tied to framerate...

[jojo319]

Is there still cross progression? Or is it back to buying multiple season passes....... The real bummer for me is that this was a great way to game with my kids. Oh how I long for the days of split screen....

[gamer7804]

Epic should have pushed for optimization so that they would run the same you know like most modern pvp games, that said I'm more interested in Crossplay for coop games.

[2pacalypsenow]

Nintendo should have invested in better hardware so their games can run on par with most modern consoles.

[badz149]

@gamer7804

Optimization? What? On the weakass hardware like the Switch? This performance disadvantage was clear from day-1 due to Switch's 30fps cap on the game but ignorant gamers were too busy trolling Sony for being "anti-consumer" for not allowing cross-play.

Sure..let's push 60fps on it...maybe at 360p 480p or something. /s

[gamer7804]

optimize lower quality textures for ram and cache, NOT things like draw distance, but other effects to get it running at the same frame rate. its possible, it will look terrible, but it is possible

[badz149]

@gamer7804

Are those extra measures you suggested worth the extra effort, though? And is that really what Epic would want their games to play and looks like? They have their vision for their own game and dialing it way back to make it looks bad just to push 60fps on a weak platform is certainly not one of it. If that's really the case, they would have let all android phones run Fortnite, not just the good ones.

The fact that the mobile versions are running the game at 60fps speaks volume about how weak the Switch really is

[Razzer]

"NOT things like draw distance"

I would think draw distance would be fairly important in a competitive game.

[FernDiggidy]

ohhhh man! It's gonna get spicy in here

[XtaZ]

They are just moving Switch out of the matchmaking pool with Xbox/PS4 gamers but that doesn't mean Switch crossplay with Xbox and PS4 is dead because you can still join your friends party and play with them like you normally would, and that's all that matters.

[King_Noctis]

You are right, but why should these people read any of these? It doesn’t fit their agenda in “crossplay bad, Sony good”.

[MasterCornholio]

It wasn’t Sonys decision to do this though. The only thing this proves is that the developers believe that crossplay isn’t a good idea with platforms with vastly superior performance due to the advantages those players will have. Nothing to do with Sony.

Of course this only applies to playing with complete strangers. When you play against your friends you could probably tell which platform they are playing on and decide whether or not you want to play with them despite them having an advantage.

[Ricegum]

"They are just moving Switch out of the matchmaking pool with Xbox/PS4 gamers"

So cross-play is pretty much dead then. Gotcha.

[Veneno]

It still means crossplay was a failure. They're just making one execption. The balance will still be off between the platforms. So you can gimp yourself if you want to.

You seem to be triggered that no one is reading the facts but you seem to not comprehend them.

[jojo319]

ahhhh. this is good news.

[SuperSonic91]

No.
There will be no more option to cross play with PS4 and Xbone

[EddieNX]

No, if you play solo on Switch you will be paired with Switch and Mobile. You.can still join people on XB/PS/PC

[badz149]

@EddieNX

Yes you still can but the disadvantage remains.

That's the point here. No thanks to the weakass platform.

[blacktiger]

I also don't want to face Xbox whether it gives them advantage or disadvantage, simply because I want equal completion, this including pc cross play too,

[Kumakai]

Hmm. So power matters....

[UncertainCategory]

Xbox and PS have the same performance, and crossplay should and is allowed as there is no performance advantage on either platform.

Also, if any of you actually researched this before revealing your blind bias, you would know crossplay is still possible on switch with all platforms, just doesn’t matchmake you automatically unless you intentially join a crossplay party.

This is exactly like how on Xbox, If you use a controller, you’re matched with console players, and if you use a mouse and keyboard you’re matched with PC players. But you can still join a pc party with a contoller if you choose, just doesn’t happen unless you want it to.

Again. Xbox and PlayStation however have basically identical performance and graphics, so cross play makes a lot of sense.

I am amazed at the responses here. You have five friends, four have PlayStations and one has an Xbox, you all want to play fortnight. You would rather say “aw screw you bud, it’s better if you drop $400 on a new system for the privilege to play with us” rather than just play the same game together regardless of what expensive box you purchased?

I understand Sony’s stance. They want to sell boxes. But most people on this website are gamers right? The fact that your motivations are aligned with the strictly financial decisions of a big corporation rather than what would make social gaming easier and seamless is absolutely bizarre.

Anthem just came out. It’s kinda garbage, but I wanted to play with some friends. I have two friends on PC, one on PlayStation and I’m on Xbox. We can’t play together in a coop game. That sucks. Good luck convincing people on PC to go buy a PlayStation for a multiplatform game like that.

I rambled. Long story short. Crossplay is still possible on switch on all platforms, the automatic matchmaking has just been adjusted so you’re not at a performance disadvantage, but you can still play with Xbox and PlayStation players if you want.

[rainslacker]

Generally speaking, most people usually use random matchmaking, and if the biggest reason outside playing with friends that people use to support cross play is to increase the player count so a game can last longer, and you would have a larger pool of players to choose from, which means shorter wait times for matchmaking, it takes out one of the biggest arguments that people use for cross play.

Of course, one game isn't really enough to say that cross play is bad, or that reality is setting in, just that this kind of thing is going to crop up once in a while, and there are those now saying it's not a big deal, because hey, you can still group with friends. They change their argument to suit what suits them. If this had been a Sony thing, they'd be blaming Sony, but since its Nintendo, I see some of the same people being more than reasonable about why it's OK, and that its all on Epic...which is true in this case, but the change in base arguments which lead to the narrative that has been pushed around for a couple years now just shows that their reasons weren't as genuine as they first put forth, because they're willing to give up a major one to try and say why this is OK. And in this case, it is OK, at least based on Epic's reasons, so I'm not really trying to blame anyone. It was just a business decision.

[gangsta_red]

"If this had been a Sony thing, they'd be blaming Sony, but since its Nintendo, I see some of the same people being more than reasonable about why it's OK, and that its all on Epic."

Nobody would be blaming Sony, this sounds more of a fanboy excuse more than anything. The reason why you're seeing the same people being reasonable about this is because they are just that, reasonable. What you don't see these reasonable people doing is blaming MS for crossplay, celebrating that crossplay is dead, having a party that Switch can't do crossplay at all with Xbox/PS4 even though it still can, hoping crossplay goes away now and claiming Sony was right all along. Those should be the people in this article that should strike you as odd, not the reasonable ones who are actually correct that this is on Epic that you want to be strangely concerned with.

If maybe people took the time to actually read the article and understand, we wouldn't have to be here complaining about a feature that is actually really cool to have or figuring out who was genuine and who wasn't.

[rainslacker]

Sure. Sorry, but the last two years makes it hard to believe that you would actually get to the details on this particular development, and would likely immediately jump on Sony.

I wasn't talking reasonable people. I was talking people like you, or moldy, or many others, who absolutely refused to believe any other possibility but Sony was guilty.

I understand what's going on here. I'm not blaming Nintendo, I'm not even blaming Epic. I'm also not blaming MS, but I still say they propagated this controversy for their own gain, and don't have any interest in if it's good for the gamers or not. Spencer saw an opportunity with the RL dev, and he pounced on it.

But, I notice you didn't address the bigger point I was making, which was that you would ignore the reasons why cross play needed to happen used as a substantial argument over the last couple years, and found a reason here why it's OK, despite it being directly contrary to you could play with other players on other consoles, and it could extend the life of the game due to that. In this case, people are changing that to, "well, you can still play with your friends, so no biggie".

I don't hope for cross play to go away. I personally don't care. I just want the discussion to stop having a mountain made out of a molehill, because the discussion hasn't gone anywhere, it's not going to go anywhere, and for the time being, people just need to wait it out, because Sony isn't going to immediately acquiesce to whatever MS wants because they're getting some bad press, but Sony is showing they are interested in making it go forward.

[Italiano1234567]

I hear all these Fanboys bitching Sony not allowing cross-play I see a commercial with Xbox and Nintendo or whatever the fuck it was teaming up we can play together Sony caves in allows cross-play on fortnite and now Nintendo stops cross-play 😂

[Silly gameAr]

Guess cross-play wasn't so ready for prime time after all.

[EddieNX]

What? Not much has changed at all
People need to do bit of reading before commenting FFS.

You can still crossplay on Fortnite with Switch.

[VariantAEC]

If you team up with friends on PC, PS4 or Xbox One then you the lowly Switch player are still at a massive disadvantage...
What is the point?

[KickSpinFilter]

Lol after all the bitching of PS4 not being able to do cross play with Switch and XB1 it comes to this!! Just ridiculous!

[ALowlyRock]

PS4 and Xbox are still on par in terms of performance and the benefits of crossplay still remain. It increases the population of a game and allows it to last longer. And when it comes to co-op games, you don't need to worry about a performance difference between platforms as much as you would in a competitive setting. I don't get why everyone is saying crossplay is suddenly dead now. Are you all really that disgusted and offended that you might end up playing with someone on a different platform?

[Stanjara]

Players were never the case. It's a dance between the big three here. Cross play is suddenly dead because it was the only game that forced Sony into it started with Microsoft and Nintendo friendship, and now Nintendo thinks it wasn't such a good idea after all.

[PurpHerbison]

Why you guys pretending like Switch was a driving force in crossplay? Switch has always been its own thing. The whole crossplay thing was to pit the competing consoles together. PS4/Xbox.

[DarXyde]

Help me understand here...

So Cross Play for a single game has been rescinded for Switch.... and it is indicative that "Sony was right"? I don't think the reasons cited by Sony for hesitation with Cross Play had anything to do with advantages. In principle, that would mean PS4 players shouldn't even be able to play online with Pro players. Same for Xbox.

Performance just needs to be locked for the lowest common denominator to avoid advantages. Street Fighter V has performance locks on PC.

I'm not really understanding Epic here.

[gangsta_red]

Shhhhh...let these kids celebrate. As you can see they're throwing confetti in the air because somehow Microsoft's evil plan of crossplay has been thwarted. Even though Switch can still crossplay with Xbox and PS4.

[rainslacker]

No, it doesn't change all those arguments. But I see some of the same people who used the argument that this was so you could keep servers up longer, and not have to wait as long for matches, and all the sub-arguments that went along with that try to ignore that rather major argument to support their hate for Sony over it, and desire to have cross play, suddenly saying it's not a big deal, because you can still play with your friends. Since this only applies to random matchmaking, it really isn't a big deal. Not that it'd be a big deal even if it was across the board. Because cross play isn't that much of a big deal. It's just the arguments change when they need to, and I think this is a good example of that. Nevermind the fact that most people don't play with other friends on other systems, or even on the same system, and random matchmaking is by far the more common way to get matches.

[gangsta_red]

The arguments never changed. The points "these people" brought up to support crossplay are still valid because crossplay is still there for all users to enjoy for Fortnite. Because Epic doesn't pair Switch users with PS4/Xbox/PC for Fortnite back doesn't somehow invalidate their desire or points to want to play with others on different consoles.

Do you not understand this, or do you really think that the people who wanted this had some sort of hate for Sony? What's funny and ironic about your whole statement is you using this as some sort of crutch to justify your own changing argument about crossplay. More constant blaming of some other base and pretending it was all a conspiracy to make Sony look bad. It's also funny to see you have to repeat over and over again here and in other replies that it's not a big deal, except it was a big deal to you because we saw you in other articles being just as defensive about protecting Sony and blaming others for having some ulterior motive as you're doing here now.

What's also funny is this "fact" you made up of people not playing with friends on other systems, where is the data coming from actually? And how many games have you researched to come to these conclusive facts? Or is this more of a changing argument now?

[rainslacker]

I know they're still valid. But, it doesn't stop people who used those arguments extensively now say its not a big deal because they can still play with their friends.

It invalidates their standing, because they're trying so hard to say that what's happening here isn't a big deal, when the points which were valid in the past were used as an argument. It's changing the importance of those points in order to make it OK, so they don't have to back peddle on their original arguments. What's happening is a reality of cross play, and even was when it was just PS/PC. It's OK to accept it as a reality, but when it's dismissed so nonchalantly without consideration of past arguments, it just proves that the issue isn't really about the benefits to the player, but just a way that some people can go around bitching about Sony.

I think the reasonable people aren't in here saying it's OK, or even that its bad. Most people here are either saying it's the truth for all of cross play, or the Xbox fan boys who are changing the importance of past arguments, to deflect that their arguments aren't as important to them as they once were. It's compromising, from a group of people who were completely willing to even consider compromise in the discussion for the past two years. And you are indeed one of them.

If you feel it's necessary to continue this circular argument which we both know will go no where because once again you won't accept any thing other than what helps you not look bad, then so be it. I expect your dismissive counter argument which tries to explain why you aren't now upset that a major reason you used to argue for cross play is no longer available.

As far as where I get my data, I guess I could cite something I've read in developer forums, but the more anecdotal evidence would come from almost every MP encounter one partakes in. More often than not, your team mates aren't playing with friends. Chat is dead, and people are just randomly running around doing their own thing, or screaming randomly at others who they don't know. There are those that play with friends, but I'd challenge anyone in here to say that most of their online encounters are contrary to what I explain above. I never said that no one plays with friends, just that the majority of players don't. Even those that play with friends often play without friends because friends aren't always available, so there is that as well. I know very few people who only play with friends.

[Thundercat77]

After all the fuzz and attacks... Wow.

All this was a PR stunt from Microsoft to attack Sony.

[Dizzy11523]

Meh. Fortnite is so 2018.

[Munnkyman]

Are we still able to party up with other devices. I play with my niece when I am on my Xbox and she’s on the switch

[blacktiger]

sigh*

[Doomeduk]

Maybe play against Ouya?

[Prince-Ali]

b... b.bb bu....but CROSSPLAYYY ISS NECESSARY TO VIDEO GAMES INDUSTRY GROWTH!!!!!!!

[Father__Merrin]

Switch version of mutiplat games are always the worst. I'd only buy a switch for exclusives only.

[pinkcrocodile75]

I don't play it... so don't care

[maximumspidey]

so now some of you biased sony fans want to hate crossplay just because of nintendo's stupid decision to have inferior hardware? y'all are something else

[quenomamen]

But it’s Sony, whaaa!

[Kyizen]

Haha I remember all the memes of MS and Nintendo Bromance when Sony wouldn't allow crossplay but MS players just wanted to dominate all the 10 year old switch players playing at 20fps haha

[VariantAEC]

And now the horrible public breakup... 😭😭😭 =/
:D :D :D

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Well Sony was right sighing.....

[Pancit_Canton]

Next headline.

Nintendo block gamepass from the switch.

A lot of this so called publicity are PR stunt just to remain relevant.

[LuzCB1987]

Wait. So switch players will meet each other so often now?

[Spartacus10]

If Sony care about gamers being disadvantaged why don't they offer standard PS4 users like myself the option not to be put up against PS4 Pro users who have a frame-rate and resolution advantage?

[ILostMyMind]

No competitive game on PlayStation has different frame rate. And why are you asking about Sony?

[Spartacus10]

Why are you the arrest anyone who asks about Sony police?

[VariantAEC]

LOL!
Blocking Xbox One S vs Xbox One X MP?

I mean you wanted to bring up major performance differentials right?

[Spartacus10]

Have you considered that I dont play on xbox or give a shit about it? Dumb fuck.

[jairusmonillas]

This is why I also don't want to play ps4 with pc gamers, PC has too much advantage over other systems just from macros alone not to mention the possibilities of 3rd party program cheating.

Crossplay should be limited to very few games not for very competitive online games.

[Silly gameAr]

But, Sony has been crossplaying with PC for 10 years.

[ILostMyMind]

Must games are coop.

[VariantAEC]

Since 2002... Or am I mistaken and it's 2004?
Either way it's 2019 now and that means crossplay is almost old enough to smoke and in some states it's either already old enough or within a year of being legal age of majority and can start making babies soon.
I gotta stop anthropromorphizing corporate milestones!

[Stanjara]

This one is hilarious. Xbox good no more Nintendo?

[seraphym88]

Sweet, switch owners now have a upper hand over mobile touch screeners :)

[VariantAEC]

Most mobile players probably use controllers and some smartphones also allow a 60FPS update which is precisely why this is being blocked by EPIC between Switch and PC/other consoles...
As cellphones only get more powerful you can assume that crossplay on Switch in Fortnite will die off completely if the bug isn't resolved...
Unfortunately this bug was reported on over a month ago and was likely well known and documented much earlier than that. It's possible only the next major iteration of Unreal will fix this and the game might not be rebuilt for Switch (or current gen).

[mrmikew2018]

What a joke.

[EmperorDalek]

All these PS4 cultists on here asking for it to be removed from every game on every device, as though that would benefit anyone. Words can't describe how much of a prick you'd have to be to want features removed just because your favourite company didn't initiate it.

Games like Minecraft and Rocket League work just fine, whereas anyone who played Fortnite on the Switch would know that it probably shouldn't have happened. I still don't even think Fortnite should be on the Switch at all, with how bad it is.

[VariantAEC]

There's one tiny problem with that...
Sony did initiate crossplay!
Way back in 2002... Between PS2 and PC with FFXII and many other games followed suit then on PS3 there were even more titles. Perhaps Portal 2 would've allowed crossplay, but it's possible MS blocked it.
Sony was already the established market leader when PS2 started crossplay, so that "2nd place begs" argument doesn't work here either... >_<

[Game-o-holic]

The surprise is that people thought crossplay woulldn't have this problem. Ei: Why some companies don't want this on their system.

[Exvalos]

Lmfao this is the funniest crap I've heard all year.

[cell989]

If only Nintendo had put more effort in their hardware....

[KillBill]

Only in random matchmaking. You can still crossplay with other players, you simply won't be randomly matched up with other consoles. As well it should be.

[VariantAEC]

Switch is weaksauce.
You either have crossplay or you don't. This half-hearted approach is bad and doesn't remedy the issues Switch players face if they so choose to disadvantage themselves. The issue is that 30FPS actually creates a disadvantage in hit-point performance... I just made that term up, but the problem is very real and already documented well. The lower update speed on Switch means the same guns and same bullets cause about half the damage and damage is dolled out more slowly meaning Switch owners need more powerful weapons that have far larger clips and that isn't happening. This appears to be a problem with Unreal Engine itself, but apparently there isn't a good work around for the half-framerate quirk.

The fact that this was discovered almost a month ago now yet Epic sees only fit to cut Switch off is a bad sign. Perhaps they will have a fix later on, but what if they don't? Point is Switch is weak and 30hz is already (allegedly) a handicap that cannot be overcome. So what is the point allowing crossplay at all?

[FallenAngel1984]

Cross play won’t be a thing on Switch when next gen PlayStation and Xbox consoles arrive

[InKnight7s]

Of course now Switch will get a free pass of not doing what it supposed to do.

[VariantAEC]

Right! Now I'll assume crossplay ain't that big a deal... Just miraculously!

[Emme]

Well in my case, my friebd pkays only PC, I play only Xbox, but we both love The Division 2, so crossplay would be great for coop.

[TheTony316]

Sony's doomed, remember? #survivetogether.

[VariantAEC]

LOL I guess now Nintendo isn't consumer friendly anymore?
Of course not the excuse will be now that performance was the reason to lock it out... But conveniently ignore the reason performance is so low is because Nintendo couldn't be arsed to make a normal console!
Oh well.