Over the last few months, there has been much controversy over Sony's approach to cross-platform multiplayer. From locking gamers to their own platform in Fortnite to claiming that Playstation is the superior platform, Playstation have had a plethora of excuses to justify their decisions.

Today, Sony published a blog post on their official blog, announcing that they are finally looking into the matter. Starting from today, Fortnite players on Playstation 4 will be able to play with other players on Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Windows, and Mac. Right now, it is being called an 'open beta', and Sony is still claiming that playing is 'best on Playstation'.

Sony will also be looking into crossplay in other third-party titles in the future.

Following a comprehensive evaluation process, SIE has identified a path toward supporting cross-platform features for select third party content. We recognize that PS4 players have been eagerly awaiting an update, and we appreciate the community’s continued patience as we have navigated through this issue to find a solution.

The first step will be an open beta beginning today for Fortnite that will allow for cross platform gameplay, progression and commerce across PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Mac operating systems. We see the beta as an opportunity to conduct thorough testing that ensures cross-platform play is best on PlayStation, while being mindful about the user experience from both a technical and social perspective.

For 24 years, we have strived to deliver the best gaming experience to our fans by providing a uniquely PlayStation perspective. Today, the communities around some games have evolved to the point where cross-platform experiences add significant value to players. In recognition of this, we have completed a thorough analysis of the business mechanics required to ensure that the PlayStation experience for our users remains intact today, and in the future, as we look to open up the platform.

This represents a major policy change for SIE, and we are now in the planning process across the organization to support this change. We will update the community once we have more details to share, including more specifics regarding the beta timeframe, and what this means for other titles going forward.

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[ssssss13]

I had never played fortnite, but in a FPS probably PC players are gonna rape PS4 users, I understand Sony.

 

[Rabbid4240]

I was just about to sell my ps4.

 

[sarkwalvein]

Well, OK.
This might make me drop my SONY hating policy.

 

[rileysrjay]

Is this the real life, is this just fantasy?

Seriously though, I really wasn't expecting this. This is great for ps users and I'll finally be able to play with some friends that use the ps version. Hopefully this means that PS4 will get the bedrock version of Minecraft now that crossplay is a thing. Looking forward to seeing what other games are opened up for crossplay!

 

[Kioku]

Well, cross progression as well? They're listening.

 

[Obveron]

I wonder if this will stay limited to Fortnite, from pressure from Epic games and Tencent. Or if Sony will open the doors to other games.

Wow, this could be a major turning point in console history if other big publishers got behind the idea and it became the new normal.

 

[Exannor]

Is this a sign from god?

 

[_v3]

Good job, Sony. You're still idiots though for doing it in the first place and I doubt people will forgive you this fast for what you did.

Last gen when the 2 big ones had opposite stances nobody cared and suddenly when Sony is in the lead they're the one being blamed for this??

 

[AxlSt00pid]

Can confirm accounts are still being locked, preventing them from being used on a switch

 

[sarkwalvein]

Last gen when the 2 big ones had opposite stances nobody cared and suddenly when Sony is in the lead they're the one being blamed for this??

Don't rewrite history, that argumentation tactic is shameless and boring.

 

[Justinde75]

damn guess the "best place to play" just go alot "worse"

 

[Supster131]

Don't rewrite history, that argumentation tactic is shameless and boring.

He's not rewriting history: https://kotaku.com/final-fantasy-xiv-isnt-coming-to-xbox-because-of-a-sil-723669207

But anyways, all three now allow cross-play with each other. Doesn't really matter what happened in the past now.

 

[sarkwalvein]

He's not rewriting history: https://kotaku.com/final-fantasy-xiv-isnt-coming-to-xbox-because-of-a-sil-723669207

But anyways, all three now allow cross-play with each other. Doesn't really matter what happened in the past now.

I bolded up the "nobody cared" part and everything.

PS: I don't think I'm being cryptic but just in case to make it clear, people cared about stupid anti user policies before as will as they did now, making people fight like fanboys justifying anti user practices in any moment is low and well, perpetuate the anti user practices.

 

[phreaksho]

Hopefully it'll last. Sony has been known for randomly dropping features. This thing should've been here since the beginning imo.

 

[Supster131]

I bolded up the "nobody cared" part and everything.

Well, I do remember no one caring ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Otherwise, maybe Microsoft would have felt pressured to allow cross-play just like what happened to Sony right now.

But as I said, the past is the past.

 

[Reploid]

This means Sony doesn't consider PS to be the best place for gaming

 

[cainan__c]

About fucking time. I still hate Sony though. They shouldn't have done it in the first place.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

Are they seriously claiming that Fortnite plays better on PS4 than on PC?

 

[eherrera322]

Right before season 6, it’s an iap test. They wanna see if income fluctuates with such a decision. (That should’ve been on as default).

 

[_v3]

- snip -

Making people fight wasn't my intent, I'm sorry if it came out looking like that. However you have to admit that, at the time, the majority didn't really care despite the fact that 90% of major releases were multiplatform. Heck they didn't even allow crossplay between xbox and pc arguing the fact that pc would have the upper hand (something that's still happening due to the fact that pc can run at unlocked framerates and sports a better control scheme for most games).