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.

Source

 

[BORTZ]

A friend of mine just messaged me about this like 9 minutes ago. I can't even right now. I literally can't even

 

[SuperNintendho]

Hell must be frozen over right now.

 

[Raylight]

the earth... its standing still!

 

[Greymane]

Odd, i am pretty sure pigs cannot fly yet.

 

[Deleted User]

That's good to hear, I suppose, but it's still rather arrogant of them to keep claiming that the game is best played on their own system without any valid claims to back it up. I know it's all PR and all that jazz, but it's still bound to rub everyone the wrong way.

Besides, does this fix the other issue people were having with Fortnite on the PS4 where people were having their accounts locked to the PS4 version of the game? This looks like it only fixes part of the problem.

 

[smileyhead]

Finally they gave in.

 

[The Catboy]

I thought we were playing on the wrong system?

 

[BORTZ]

I have a lot of friends who would rather play stuff on PC, so this makes bortz a happy spider. Hopefully Warframe is one of the titles to follow suit.

 

[smileyhead]

I wonder if they'll release the accounts that were trapped on PlayStation.

 

[SkittleDash]

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.

 

[HaloEliteLegend]

So will we see this on other games now, too? Rocket League? Fallout 76? Because then finally, all these platforms can coexist.

 

[CallmeBerto]

Hmmm I just woke up. Is this the twilight zone? Is this real life? Did I fall down?

 

[Deleted User]

What timeline are we living in again?

 

[Uiaad]

What timeline are we living in again?

According to my divergence meter 0.447612

 

[BilboBagons]

AKA Sony enters the 21st century.

I'm glad to hear it, even if this never should've been an issue at all, its still great to see sony grow up and give us crossplay.

 

[SkittleDash]

All these comments about everything being fake right now... I knew Sony can be stupid but are they really that bad? lol

 

[MCNX]

All I have to say is thank god

 

[CallmeBerto]

What timeline are we living in again?

The one without pokemon or superpowers ago the bad one.

 

[OkazakiTheOtaku]

This is great news! I'm happy for everyone that this helps.
My brother was very upset that he couldn't use his PS4 Fortnite account on Switch, so this will be great for him. And, now I can play with my Xbox friends.
A bit late, Sony, but good job nonetheless!

 

[CathyRina]

Can I get my Chat functionality in PSO2 between Switch and PS4/Vita players now?