Sony’s Boss Gives An Update On PlayStation-Xbox Fortnite Crossplay
Fortnite Battle Royale is currently the most popular video game, and it is also the game that is crying to connect all gaming systems together. Even though a few other games have tried to have cross-play functionality enabled, this is the first time that a huge game wants it. However, it may not happen anytime soon.
Epic Games has enabled cross-play functionality for Fortnite Battle Royale on every system. However, there are still some restrictions, and they mostly come from Sony. For example, PlayStation 4 players can only play with PC and mobile players, but they cannot play with their Xbox One or Nintendo Switch players.
The reason for this is simple: PlayStation 4 is much successful than Xbox One. Sony’s gaming console has sold two times more units than its main competitor and it currently holds a 60 percent market share. The Japanese company is aware of this, which is why cross-play functionality will probably never be enabled between these two consoles.
“On cross-platform, our way of thinking is always that PlayStation is the best place to play. Fortnite, I believe, partnered with PlayStation 4 is the best experience for users, that’s our belief,” Sony chief executive Kenichiro Yoshida said. He also added that Sony has opened cross-platform play with PC and some other platforms.
In short, this means that Sony has no plans on enabling the cross-play functionality between PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
In 2011, it was Microsoft who was opposed to cross-platform functionality between PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Now, it is Sony who refuses to enable this. It is easy to conclude that cross-play between PlayStation and Xbox will not be possible if one console sells many more units than its rival.
We can only hope that PlayStation 5 and Xbox Scarlett will be even in terms of sales. This could possibly bring the two consoles together and allow console gamers from all around the world to play with and against each other, no matter what platform they use.