Sony, Once Again, Is Holding Back the Gaming Future

[GordoSan]

Sony, Once Again, Is Holding Back the Gaming Future

Posted on March 13, 2018 by Brad Sams in Xbox with 20 Comments

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For a company’s whose tagline for their gaming console is “this is for the players”, Sony’s actionscontinue to speak much louder than their marketing efforts. The company is once again blocking cross-play functionality and this is becoming a common trend that is hurting the overall gaming community and more importantly, limiting the future of gaming.

Minecraft, Rocket League, and a few others games have the ability to allow players from different platforms to compete against each other. While Nintendo has embraced this functionality and PC gamers can play with console gamers in supported titles, Sony has always been sitting on the outside looking in but it can only blame itself.

The latest edition of Sony blocking crossplay is with Fortnite Battle Royale. Microsoft has already publicly said it supports cross-play with this title which puts the limitation squarely on Sony’s shoulders as Kotaku notes that in September, a ‘configuration issue’ accidentally allowed PS4 and Xbox players fight it out online before the setting was updated.

Seeing as crossplay is only an artificial barrier that Sony is creating across several games, the real question is “why would Sony block this?”

That answer is quite easy, they have nothing to gain from enabling its users to play against players on other devices. Unlike Microsoft, if you game on a PC, Sony doesn’t make any money and that’s likely the crux of the issue here.

The interesting thing is that Sony is locking itself into a walled garden much like that of Apple or even Microsoft of the late 90s. The company can do this as they are the market leader for this generation of consoles but by limiting the online aspect of their hardware, they are likely damaging their gaming brand but if that will have any meaningful impact, we won’t know for some time.

Sony hasn’t stated publicly why they won’t enable this functionality but one thing is clear, it’s hurting the overall gaming community and putting PS4 players at an unnecessary disadvantage.

https://www.thurrott.com/xbox/154065/sony-holding-back-gaming-future

I agree with this 100%, including the sensational title. Sony needs to hear anger from gamers so that they change their ways. Gamers should be shouting from megaphones!

 

[TeKPhaN]

Don't agree with the "Sony, Once Again, Is Holding Back the Gaming Future"
But would luv cross play.

 

[Kvally]

Sony needs to allow crossplay. That said, I personally don't care as games have so many players that you will never see the same person twice in matchmaking.

Whatevs

 

[D-V-ANT]

Don't agree with the "Sony, Once Again, Is Holding Back the Gaming Future"
But would luv cross play.

Don't want cross play but I'd agree otherwise. Clickbait confirmed.

 

[yankeessuck]

This is all true except using the Microsoft PC example. That has no relevance as Sony has been doing cross play on PC for awhile.

 

[Kerosene31]

Now that I play on both consoles, number of players is a factor for me when I decide which platform to buy a multiplayer game on.

When it comes down to multiplayer gaming, it is hard to ignore the advantage in console sales Sony has had. More consoles = more players and a bigger potential player base. Bigger player base means better matchmaking.

Just as an example I've bought games like R6 Siege and Destiny 2 just because that's where larger communities happen to be (not that Xbox doesn't have great communities but not always as big). It isn't the only factor but it is one that comes into play for me.

If I ran Sony, I wouldn't want to give that advantage up. Cross-play is a bigger boost to MS than to Sony.

 

[The Sunset Limited]

Did someone say Fortnite?!

 

[Kvally]

This is all true except using the Microsoft PC example. That has no relevance as Sony has been doing cross play on PC for awhile.

What I don't get is, Sony is worried about safety of children outside their walled garden, but with PC crossplay, there is even less control. Obviously an Xbox Live account is NOT required for PS players to connect to Xbox players because Epic connected the two services in error. So it can't be that Sony doesn't want to have to worry about their subscribers HAVING to sign up for XBL. I know that in the case of Minecraft, it is required, but that is an MS game.

Now that I play on both consoles, number of players is a factor for me when I decide which platform to buy a multiplayer game on.

When it comes down to multiplayer gaming, it is hard to ignore the advantage in console sales Sony has had. More consoles = more players and a bigger potential player base. Bigger player base means better matchmaking.

Just as an example I've bought games like R6 Siege and Destiny 2 just because that's where larger communities happen to be (not that Xbox doesn't have great communities but not always as big). It isn't the only factor but it is one that comes into play for me.

If I ran Sony, I wouldn't want to give that advantage up. Cross-play is a bigger boost to MS than to Sony.

With millions on both, I find it that the pool of players is bigger than we would ever need on either.

 

[karmakid]

They, Sony, have nothing to gain, but nothing to lose either...or do they?

 

[postaboy]

Hold your ground Sony. I do recalled Sony asking for cross play last gen and MS said "F U Sony".

 

[Larry]

 

[JinCA]

It's easy, Sony wants you to buy a playstation and subscribe to PSN if you are going to play with friends who own playstation. MS needs to do everything they can to entice people to either buy an xbox or keep them from going to another platform, MS is the one who has something to gain here. It would be great if crossplay was an option but I can totally see why one side doesn't want it and why the other one does. This headline has clickbait written all over it though.

 

[GordoSan]

Hold your ground Sony. I do recalled Sony asking for cross play last gen and MS said "F U Sony".

Hold your ground? Why? You like not giving the option to the developer? This is different than last time. It's no longer a "what if" The code is actually there to allow it, with several games. Sony is just intentionally blocking it. We are not in last generation. Move on. Okay the developers decide.

 

[GordoSan]

It's easy, Sony wants you to buy a playstation and subscribe to PSN if you are going to play with friends who own playstation. MS needs to do everything they can to entice people to either buy an xbox or keep them from going to another platform, MS is the one who has something to gain here. It would be great if crossplay was an option but I can totally see why one side doesn't want it and why the other one does. This headline has clickbait written all over it though.

The GAMERS are the ones who have something to gain. Fvck console wars! It's either about the gamer it is isn't. The headline is accurate! Why should I be forced to buy two versions of the same game in order to play with all my friends? Open that sh!t up, Sony!

 

[JinCA]

The GAMERS are the ones who have something to gain. Fvck console wars! It's either about the gamer it is isn't. The headline is accurate! Why should I be forced to buy two versions of the same game in order to play with all my friends? Open that sh!t up, Sony!

You aren't forced to do anything, you can play with your friends on xbox or your friends on playstation it's not about console wars it's about business. Neither of these companies are in business to make our lives better they are in business to make money.

 

[GordoSan]

 

[GordoSan]

You aren't forced to do anything, you can play with your friends on xbox or your friends on playstation it's not about console wars it's about business. Neither of these companies are in business to make our lives better they are in business to make money.

Since when is pleasing me not their biggest best interest, as a business? It better be. What you just stated is like we are all slaves to corporations who take our money. I'm no slave to any company! I have the power to never buy a Sony product again... So does every gamer. Fvck, is this how an actual gamer really feels? "I guess it's in their best interest". Good grief! What has happened to the world?

 

[GordoSan]

...says the freaking developers. Yet, it's OK to block the request of the developers and gamers... cuz Sony. This whole topic of certain gamers defending Sony's decision is just blowing my freaking mind. Wow!

 

[karmakid]

The GAMERS are the ones who have something to gain. Fvck console wars! It's either about the gamer it is isn't. The headline is accurate! Why should I be forced to buy two versions of the same game in order to play with all my friends? Open that sh!t up, Sony!

You aren't forced to do anything, you can play with your friends on xbox or your friends on playstation it's not about console wars it's about business. Neither of these companies are in business to make our lives better they are in business to make money.

But I like the fact that I can, at any moment, have a party of friends and family play on four different screens playing rocket league in my house (pc, 2 Xboxs and a Switch)...I guess we could use the PS4s as white noise devices.

Fawk I miss Halo LAN parties with friends :’(

 

[GordoSan]

Sony has stated at one time, that they were interested. Microsoft was bullish. What's different now, is that games are actually being made to support this feature, which is a flip of a switch away (great timing on that one). Well, why is it ok for Sony to not own up to their promise? I really don't feel the whole "Microsoft had their chance" thing. This is very much a right now thing, not an 8 years ago, hypothetical thing.

 

[The Wolf King]

It's easy, Sony wants you to buy a playstation and subscribe to PSN if you are going to play with friends who own playstation. MS needs to do everything they can to entice people to either buy an xbox or keep them from going to another platform, MS is the one who has something to gain here. It would be great if crossplay was an option but I can totally see why one side doesn't want it and why the other one does. This headline has clickbait written all over it though.

Both gain massively. Don't get this whole it's great for MS but not Sony attitude some have.

 

[JinCA]

Both gain massively. Don't get this whole it's great for MS but not Sony attitude some have.

How does Sony gain exactly?

 

[JinCA]

Since when is pleasing me not their biggest best interest, as a business? It better be. What you just stated is like we are all slaves to corporations who take our money. I'm no slave to any company! I have the power to never buy a Sony product again... So does every gamer. Fvck, is this how an actual gamer really feels? "I guess it's in their best interest". Good grief! What has happened to the world?

Again you have every choice, you can buy a PlayStation and play people there or buy an xbox and play people there or you can skip out on them all together. This is a hobby, a luxury item not a necessity, their goal is to offer us a product and get money in exchange for it not to make any of us feel good. When what's best for business and best for consumers line up it's great but that's not always the case. The fact is they believe if you want to play against playstation gamers you should be invested in the playstation ecosystem, playing people who are on xbox doesn't make them any money, no PS+ sub and no console/game purchase. I get what you are saying, I think it'd be cool if cross play was allowed just to shut people up about it, personally I don't play a lot of MP games to begin with and when I do I never have a hard time finding a match with the people already on PSN so it doesn't jump out at me a something that would benefit me one way or the other..

 

[JinCA]

...says the freaking developers. Yet, it's OK to block the request of the developers and gamers... cuz Sony. This whole topic of certain gamers defending Sony's decision is just blowing my freaking mind. Wow!

It's not defending it's explaining, the fact that you are throwing a fit over something that has never been allowed before in any other generation of gaming seems a bit over the top IMO. Hell MS declined Sony's offer to do this last gen.

 

[The Wolf King]

How does Sony gain exactly?

The exact same way as MS and Nintendo

 

[karmakid]

The exact same way as MS, Nintendo and Steam

Fixed

 

[JinCA]

The exact same way as MS and Nintendo

You mean by not getting new customers to buy games on their console or pay for their online service? I'm not against them doing it, I think it would be a nice thing to do but it doesn't exactly benefit them financially at all if they just allow people to join their pool of players who paid MS or Nintendo and not them. I also wonder what limitations MS would put on this if any from their end, I've only ever seen them talk about it with three games one they own and is already published on ever platform imaginable, a free to play game and an indie game that already had a HUGE player base on PS4 before it ever came to xbox one.

 

[The Wolf King]

You mean by not getting new customers to buy games on their console or pay for their online service? I'm not against them doing it, I think it would be a nice thing to do but it doesn't exactly benefit them financially at all if they just allow people to join their pool of players who paid MS or Nintendo and not them. I also wonder what limitations MS would put on this if any from their end, I've only ever seen them talk about it with three games one they own and is already published on ever platform imaginable, a free to play game and an indie game that already had a HUGE player base on PS4 before it ever came to xbox one.

Again that is the same situation for all companies. Ps4 gamers aren't going to go out and buy an Xbox and COD to play with their Xbox mates if they have cross platform play and vice versa.

But they will if they can't. It's hardly hurting Minecraft is it which has over 70m Active users.

Sony reasoning for not doing it has been poor at best.

 

[Kvally]

Not surprised Jinca has turned this into a plastic worship.

We should be worried how it impacts us as a gamer, not how it impacts the increased revenue of some random corporation.

SMH

 

[lowdru2k]

I would like to see cross play in my favorite shooters. The number of players in the different modes would skyrocket.

Lol @ the Sony defenders. This needs to happen it’s the future of MP gaming. People will still buy their favorite console and maybe third party games they normally wouldn’t buy because they have friends playing on the opposite console. I’m curious how that would work being able to party up together between consoles.