I’m not particularly bothered by Borderlands 3’s Epic Store exclusivity, but that’s because I don’t actually use any of Steam’s features. I don’t maintain a friends list, I don’t use its curation or reviews, I don’t care about its achievements or trading cards. I use Steam entirely as the DRM check that happens when I launch my games from the start menu, so for me, it doesn’t matter what software runs in the middle. I’d also planned to play the game on console, so it’s all moot.
That all may change, as it’s incredibly likely that Borderlands 3 will have cross-platform support. At least, it looks like it will have that support between PC and Xbox One. The mere consideration it might have the feature came from Gearbox’s Randy Pitchford, who – responding to initial complaints about the Epic Store exclusivity – said that a small period of around 6 months would be fine for exclusivity. That’s exactly how long the game will be exclusive to Epic’s Store. In the same twitter breath, Pitchford said a bit of stuff about cross-platform play.
“For what it’s worth, 2K’s decisions aside, myself and the team at Gearbox have a very keen interest in cross-platform play. We believe multi-platform support is a pre-requisite and Epic’s leadership with cross platform support is helpful to our interests there.”
A bit of information on the game’s information page on Xbox.com has suggested that cross-platform play is coming. In the list of the game’s features, along with information like local and online co-op, there was a note for “Cross-Platform Co-Op.”
That sort of information doesn’t seem like a mistake. The PlayStation listing for the game, however, mentioned only local and online co-op. It could be that the feature will only work between PC and Xbox One on account of Sony still being silly when it comes to cross-platform, or it’s possible that there’s be PS4-PC cross play as well. In an ideal world, it’d allow for cross play between all three platforms.
If this ends up being true, I will be delighted – and I’ll happily pick the game up for PC and console, just so that I don’t have to play through it with my wife in splitscreen.
Last Updated: April 4, 2019
Kromas
April 4, 2019 at 09:33
Now us PC gamers can finally boost the console peasants through the game cause we know they can’t aim to save their lives! 😛
Original Heretic
April 4, 2019 at 09:50
Pfft. Shows what you know.
Console has aim assist!
HairyEwok
April 4, 2019 at 11:15
Even the PC version has aim assist, so we have faster snapping on targets WITH ASSIST XD
Original Heretic
April 4, 2019 at 11:15
Everyone wins!
Kromas
April 4, 2019 at 09:50
I think you just proved my point. 😛
Original Heretic
April 4, 2019 at 09:51
It actually sucks how dependent one becomes on it. Initially, you don’t really notice it.
But once you pick up on it, it’s abusable. Because it generally kicks in when you first aim.
I rake in so many headshots when I play shooters.
Kromas
April 4, 2019 at 11:15
Maybe I should game on Console cause I suck at aiming due to a physical condition that makes me shake like a bastard.
Original Heretic
April 4, 2019 at 11:15
It still requires precision.
Using a shooter I’ve been jamming with mates as an example (Warface, F2P shooter), my stats are often better than others I jam with. About 40-50% of my kills are headshots. Way higher than the averages I see.
Still, with those shaky hands, you have other advantages. Auto-FAP!
G8crasha
April 4, 2019 at 15:38
Let me just take this performance enhancement drug to make me run faster – oh wait…
G8crasha
April 4, 2019 at 15:38
Let me just take this performance enhancement drug to make me run faster – oh wait…
Original Heretic
April 4, 2019 at 09:50
Makes no difference to me.
I’ll only jam with me mates, and we’re all on the same system.
I don’t like playing with randoms.
Gavin Mannion
April 4, 2019 at 10:09
I find the uproar about games being exclusive to the Epic Store laughable at best. It’s taking the gamer entitlement level to the next level and beyond.
Kromas
April 4, 2019 at 11:15
I find using it as an excuse for piracy even worse.
Pariah
April 4, 2019 at 11:49
This one I don’t understand. I disagree with HOW epic have gone about their exclusive deals in some cases, but exclusives sell platforms. And if I don’t want to support Epic, that’s no fucking excuse for pirating.
Just because I don’t support Nike’s using of child labour (not sure if that’s still a thing, but I’m using it as an example), doesn’t give me the right to go steal their shit.
Antonín Žoha
April 4, 2019 at 12:07
It is quite funny seeing people sying exlusivity is bad and it´s not how you comepte with competitor on the market. They clearly are totally not able to accept there might be a competitor for their beloved Steam, or they really have no clue how business work. But all my life, I live in the world, where offering exlusive goods is one way how to attract customers. Of course, it´s less comfortable for me as a customer, but I find it pretty normal…
Argument that Epic could compete with lower prices is also wrong as Epic is very likely not the one who is setting the prices for the games. Same as for Steam, prices are set by publisher…
Hitsuran
April 4, 2019 at 13:12
The fact that exclusives sell consoles doesnt matter when it comes to pc and its ecosystem.
Plus both consoles compete with similliar quality product/services and it will evolve both platforms.
Epic store wont do anything for pc it wont evolve digital platform, it wont force steam to make needed updates faster it will do quite opposite.
Pariah
April 4, 2019 at 11:49
This one I don’t understand. I disagree with HOW epic have gone about their exclusive deals in some cases, but exclusives sell platforms. And if I don’t want to support Epic, that’s no fucking excuse for pirating.
Just because I don’t support Nike’s using of child labour (not sure if that’s still a thing, but I’m using it as an example), doesn’t give me the right to go steal their shit.
Magoo
April 4, 2019 at 12:06
There just needs to be a large group of people who are minutely, slightly upset or inconvenienced and the whole thing is blown up out of proportion. Circle jerking 101.
Seriously, people – does the fact that it will be an Epic exclusive for 6 months really cause you that much pain that you will resort to bad-mouthing all involved and even pirating the game? Does the fact that Epic wants to compete with Steam really weigh on your heart that much???
The worst thing about this behavior is that it overshadows any and all legitimate issues or criticism.
Dresden
April 4, 2019 at 12:56
Don’t be so harsh on those gamers. You know very well that there’s not enough games to keep them busy for those 6 months to wait it out!
Magoo
April 4, 2019 at 13:12
What is “wait”?
On which platform can I play it?
Dresden
April 4, 2019 at 13:13
https://store.steampowered.com/app/347730/Wait__Extended/
Magoo
April 4, 2019 at 13:30
I should have known. xD
HvR
April 4, 2019 at 12:07
Didn’t really participate in the uproar (fuck knows I’m too busy).
2 criticism I do feel is warranted is the way these deals do take place all of a sudden like a month before release after being on sale on Steam and then the people that bought on Steam having a lesser experience and the regional pricing inconsistencies
Hitsuran
April 4, 2019 at 12:55
Thats because you and most epic defenders are narrowminded dumb idiots.
Even author gave you clue why people might be upset and he named only few basic features out of big number of things people like on steam.
Nikola
April 4, 2019 at 10:26
It would be of course great to have cross play and I hope Sony comes to play with this feature for people that play across systems for me personally I don’t care as all my friends are on PS4 and won’t play with randoms. At least PS4 to PC would be nice I can understand the no Xbox to PS4 crossplay that makes sense.