Microsoft’s efforts at increasing cross-play support between the Xbox One and PC are well-documented, but today the company has made the huge announcement that it is looking to support cross-network play between other platforms and PC networks, essentially extending an open invitation to the likes of Sony to allow players who own a PS4 to play online with Xbox One owners.
While the statement from Microsoft doesn’t explicitly mention Sony, the statement indicates that the company is looking to open up cross-network play between its console rivals, potentially echoing in a new era for video games in which players won’t be limited to only playing with those who play on the same platform. This is massive news for the industry, and many will be hoping that Sony look to take Microsoft up on the extraordinary offer.
The statement, posted to Xbox Wire, is as follows:
“First, in addition to natively supporting cross-platform play between Xbox One and Windows 10 games that use Xbox Live, we’re enabling developers to support cross-network play as well. This means players on Xbox One and Windows 10 using Xbox Live will be able to play with players on different online multiplayer networks – including other console and PC networks.
Of course, it’s up to game developers to support this feature, and Xbox Live players will always have the option of choosing to play only with other Xbox Live players. We’re thrilled to confirm that Psyonix’s Rocket League will be one of the first games to take advantage of this new capability by enabling cross-network play between Xbox One and PC players, with an open invitation for other networks to participate as well.”
Cross-play has been a major selling point for Microsoft, who continue to merge Xbox Live and Windows 10 in order to create a larger ecosystem for their gaming software. However, thus far gamers haven’t been able to go online with owners of a different console, though this could now be set to change.
With Sony continuing to best its competitors in terms of hardware sales by a considerable amount, the company is therefore more likely to take a risk on allowing cross-network play. Hopefully Sony will take their rivals up on this offer, and console owners will be able to go online with one another in the near future.
