Microsoft Unsure if Cross-Play Will Ever Happen Between Xbox and PS4 - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 16 October 2017 / 2,761 Views
Microsoft is unsure if there will ever be cross play between the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, according to head of Xbox Phil Spencer. Microsoft is interested in adding support for it, however, Sony has not been in favor of it.
"I have a real struggle making comments about their motivation or timelines. I know there is a certain view that says if my friends have this console, they can't play with people who buy another console. That's a reason they go buy my console," said Spencer in an interview with GameSpot.
"That reason is not going to go away. So we're putting Minecraft out there as one of the biggest games on any platform and allowing people to play together regardless of what device they bought. I don't think everybody is taking that same approach to the ecosystem. So I'm never going to call anything a lost cause but I think some of the fundamental reasons and certain scenarios, they're not really going away. So I don't know what would change."
"We talk to Sony all the time. With Minecraft on PlayStation, we have to be one of the biggest games on their platform in terms of sales and gameplay," Spencer added. "Same with Nintendo. The relationship with Nintendo on this front has been strong. They've been great supporters and we continue to collaborate with them. But I think Sony's view is different. They should talk about what their view is."
"I think people look at [cross-play] and say is it better for gamers. If it's better for gamers, I have a hard time thinking why we shouldn't go do this, especially when you're trying to make the gaming business a bigger business; grow it, get more games, create more opportunity," he said. "Especially in the indie space, actually. If you're creating an online indie game and you're going to create five [shards] of your game--the Steam version, Xbox Live on PC, Xbox version, the PlayStation version, the Switch version creates hard matchmaking scenarios. We should help developers, not make their lives more difficult."
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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I find it hypocritical that Spencer is still pushing for this Cross Play between Sony and Microsoft, but wants to hold on to PUBG. This just shows that Microsoft wants Cross Play because it's own player base can't support their games.
Of course not when every time they approach Sony it starts with "So we're going to use an Xbox Live login..."
Why doesn't Sony offer the same feature where you login to PSN?
And why do you keep holding onto 1 game which is owned by Microsoft? Should be grateful they still support MC on PS.
Yes they do because MC is 100% own by MS. They don't have to support it on PS anymore because its there game. They do it because they know its the right thing to do. So yes be grateful.
@Rafie Show this pinned deal you are talking about than?
@Azuren Yes they do it for money and it is also the best thing they can do for the community. You think if Sony brought out Minecraft they would allow it on Xbox? Let alone cross play with other devices?
Be grateful.
It's hard to speculate but if I had to guess, I'd say Sony sees online user bases as a an asset to lure people to their platform and don't want to do it based on that.
I think Sony because of the disparity between the consoles, they see MS's championing of crossplay as a cynical attempt to lessen that advantage when it comes to MP.
phils starting to sound like a jealous, rejected teenage girl now.... it's embarrassing, if it happens, it happens, if it doesn't then, well.....it doesn't, get over it
Would be nice to unify the market for the gamers. Seems like greed overwhelms some companies. I question all gamers who dont support this. I guess buisness greed is more important than playing with friends.
Sweet summer child... All corporations on the size of Sony and Microsoft are motivated by what can make them most money.
Yet some offer something back for the gamers. This is a perfect example.
And the deal they offered is the same one they turned down last generation with the same party. The current industry leader would stand to lose on this kind of deal, regardless of if it was MS or Sony. The only difference is Microsoft is being significantly more public with Sony's refusal than Sony was with Microsoft's, which is honestly making them appear a bit more scummy.
Think about it like along a girl out on a date: are you going to be the kind of guy to silently accept rejection and move on, or the kind that makes an ass out of himself by putting the whole thing on blast to point out how awful the girl is for refusing? Protip: Microsoft is being the latter, which makes them the creep in this situation.
@Azuren your posts always make me laugh and facepalm. Not sure how you do it either. Being nice to the community is not being a creep. They are even trying to convince Sony to join in on the cross play. I think its the way you set your eyes on a company that floors your vision. Xbox is cross play with Nintendo, a brand soooo to them selves yet they are happy to. Sony and PlayStation are making a fortune with the PS4, and yet they don't want to do a good community move? How much money do they want from your wallet? MS are far from being the creep in this situation. Sony/PS are being greedy.
My posts make you laugh and facepalm because you don't seem to have a firm grasp on literally any situation.
You completely disregarded the entire point of my post, which is that they're both greedy companies. Microsoft is only offering cross play to Sony at this point in time because it would eliminate the argument of "my friends all have PlayStation, so that's what I'm getting". It's the same reason SONY OFFERED CROSS PLAY TO MICROSOFT IN 7TH GEN, TO GET RID OF THAT ADVANTAGE MICROSOFT HAD AND LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD. Is caps lock the only stuff you'll actually read? I suppose we'll find out. But like I said, the difference now is Microsoft is being very public and whiny with Sony's rejection, whereas Sony quietly sulked in 7th Gen when they were rejected.
But hey, I guess you don't have to believe observable facts that are widely known. I guess you could just make another alt to agree with you.
