Cross-play has become a major talking point lately, despite being an issue that has plagued online play across Xbox One and Ps4 for years now. Perhaps its role in the biggest game on the planet right now has reignited the flames in a way that Sony didn’t expect, and it’s leading to increasing questions as to why the console manufacturer doesn’t want to play ball. It’s hurtful to consumers and developers alike, and Fallout 76 director Todd Howard isn’t having any of it.
When pressed about the inclusion of cross-play in the online-focused Fallout 76, Howard didn’t mince words when explaining why the game currently has no plans to included it. He stated that Sony is “not as helpful as everyone would like”, adding later that the functionality is not possible because of their policies. This is as direct as Epic Games have been concerning the account blunder with Fortnite when it launched on Nintendo Switch, with the company blaming Sony’s policies for infecting any account that played on their console.
This isn’t a new issue. Rocket League kicked things off two years ago after Microsoft made it clear that they would like players to be able to play across Xbox One and PS4, with Sony declining. Right now you can play Rocket League across PS4 and PC, but it pales in comparison to Xbox One being able to play with both PC and Nintendo Switch players. The same goes for Minecraft, which recently opened up support for Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch players to create and build together. Nintendo and Microsoft even made a striking trailer to show it off, which really drove home how Sony is not willing to play ball.
But it’s Fortnite that is the real head-scratcher, especially since it’s not implicitly tied to a Sony service. Epic Games has stated that any account used on a Sony platform will not be able to be used across any other device, which became apparent when users tried to log in on Nintendo Switch. Worse still is that you can’t actually unlink the account from PSN completely, which forces players to create entirely new ones if they hope to play at all. It’s a strange, anti-consumer stance that’s rooted in the business side of things. Sony doesn’t want players to use items on their console that they may have purchased elsewhere, where as Nintendo and Microsoft – the two companies who could actually use that money more – don’t seem to care.
Sony have made some mumblings in the past about trying to address the issue, but this is the same sort of arrogance we saw Microsoft brandish at the beginning of the generation after actually having the same stance as Sony in the previous console generation. Market leaders seem apprehensive to change, even when Sony marketed the PS4 behind the slogan “For the players” to great success. This stance is anything but that.
Last Updated: July 3, 2018
Original Heretic
July 3, 2018 at 10:54
Sony IS being daft with this.
Doesn’t affect me whatsoever, since I’m not all that into any of the games where crossplay could be possible.
But to deny it to a large demographic of gamers who are actively calling for it, that’s bit of a dick move.
None of their reasons to disallow it so far have actually made me go “Okay, yeah, that makes sense”. It’s all been bluster and bullshit.
Pieter Kruger
July 3, 2018 at 09:51
“Nintendo and Microsoft – the two companies who could actually use that money more” How could a company worth $750 billion use the money more than a company worth $60 billion? They’ll use it better maybe yes! ???
Alessandro Barbosa
July 3, 2018 at 11:45
I meant in respect to their console ecosystems. Nintendo and Microsoft would benefit more from being stingy with royalties attached to in-game purchases. Sony, with their console market share, is in the position to make a loss on that for the PR purposes and yet chooses not to
Lord Chaos
July 3, 2018 at 09:56
Wonder what would happen if a few developers decided to boycott Sony
Allykhat
July 3, 2018 at 10:06
Wouldnt make sense due to Sony’s market share. They have more consoles in homes than Xbox and Switch combined.
Lord Chaos
July 3, 2018 at 10:14
Doesn’t make them immune, if they piss enough people off they will get fight back.
What they’re currently doing is is giving people the finger and saying deal with it.
If you want to play with your friends buy our console… Yea, they can go and procreate with themselves.
Allykhat
July 3, 2018 at 10:35
Of course it doesn’t, but all these people claiming its anti consumer? No it isn’t.
You aren’t being robbed of anything by not being able to play with Xbox people on a PS4. And if you are that bummed to not be able to play with your Xbox friends on your PS4, sell the PS and buy an Xbox?
Sony are well within their right to do exactly as they are.
Lord Chaos
July 3, 2018 at 10:46
True, and so are every other company.
But that hasn’t stopped consumers from bitching.
Remember the always online debacle from MS?
Allykhat
July 3, 2018 at 10:54
We gamers are an entitled bunch, aren’t we… 😛
Using that example, lets be honest, that was a monumentally stupid idea… Not enabling cross-plat is nowhere near that level of stupid on Sony’s part.
Lord Chaos
July 3, 2018 at 10:57
Ok then, you’re free to your opinion.
I can’t see any valid reason for them doing this except arrogance.
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 3, 2018 at 11:08
It’s in their DNA. Remember when they told people to get a second job for afford a PS3?
Lord Chaos
July 3, 2018 at 11:11
Winner!
Lord Chaos
July 3, 2018 at 10:52
And no, I don’t have either current gen console but this just smacks of bad business practice, just look at their TV and mobile business, running at a loss year after year
Pieter Kruger
July 3, 2018 at 10:08
Come on Sony, did you learn nothing from the Japan/Belgium game……too soon????
Hammersteyn
July 3, 2018 at 10:46
What could Sony possibly learn from that?
Mabenito
July 3, 2018 at 15:50
We will never succumb to the west. With their imperialist ideas of cross play. We are region PAL, let them keep their capitalistic NTCP. Amaaaaaaannnndla !!! (Fist Pump)