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Serving the Fullerton Community Since 1922

The Hornet

Xbox and PlayStation may allow gamers to play together

Cross-platform gaming was first introduced in the Microsoft ecosystem last year when Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft’s Xbox division, announced that the Xbox and Windows operating systems would allow for a game bought on one system to be played or streamed through the other.

However, this wouldn’t mean you could play an Xbox One version of a game with someone who was playing the Windows version.

Xbox One and PS4
Xbox One and PS4 Photo credit: TechRadar.com

Chris Charla, Microsoft’s director of ID@Box released a letter on Monday stating the company wants to “natively (support) cross-platform play between Xbox One and Windows 10 games.”

Charla didn’t stop there.

In addition opening up the gaming community on the Microsoft ecosystem, Microsoft wants its gamers to “be able to play with players on different online multiplayer networks – including other consoles and PC networks.”

This means that a multiplayer game sold on a computer or console could be played with anyone who bought that game, regardless of console.

This would tear down the walls between gamers and allow friends with different consoles or computers to play their favorite multiplayer games together.

There is potential for turmoil though.

There have been countless debates on whether a console controller or a keyboard and mouse is superior in gaming. Because of this, and a variety of other reasons, some may prefer to play only with people on their system.

This won’t be a problem.

Charla pointed out that “Xbox Live players will always have the option to play only with other Xbox Live players.”

Nevertheless, there is a major caveat pointed out by Charla. Whether or not a game supports cross-platform gaming relies entirely on the people developing the game.

In the letter, Charla was “thrilled” to announce that Rocket League would be one of the first games to support this new cross-platform gaming.

Later the same day, the developers behind Rocket League, Psyonix, said they’re “both honored and excited to have Rocket League” be the pioneer for this new evolution in gaming.

The two companies openly invited “other networks to participate as well,” and many gamers waited to hear a reply from Sony.

They didn’t have to wait long, as the next day brought Sony’s response to Microsoft’s proposal.

It wasn’t quite as warm as some had hoped, but Sony made it clear that they aren’t shutting down the idea of playing with other companies.

“PlayStation has been supporting cross-platform play between PC on several software titles starting with Final Fantasy 11 on PS2 and PC back in 2002,” Sony said in their statement.

“We would be happy to have the conversation with any publishers or developers who are interested in cross-platform play.”

The statement didn’t mention any companies by name despite Microsoft’s open invitation. However, players are speculating what this could mean for the future of the gaming industry and these two console giants.

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  • K

    KortazApr 2, 2016 at 12:52 pm

    I hope that they say yes because all my friends have ps4 and my brother has a ps4
    but i have a xbox one so it would be great to make cross-platform play??

    Reply
  • H

    HadaMar 31, 2016 at 3:55 pm

    I hope Sony goes through with this. I have a PS4 but it seems all my friends have an X1 PLS SONY PLS

    Reply