Good guy Microsoft has just announced it’s support for Cross-Network Play. Starting with Rocket League, Xbox One owners will now be able to potentially play with anyone on PlayStation or PC even Nintendo’s next console.
Microsoft say that it’s now up to developers to support this new feature, but the option is finally there, which is something. Nintendo would probably sooner sell the rights to Mario for a pack of crisps than get on board with this, but Sony might well jump on board.
Granted, PlayStation 4 has been the more successful console of this generation, and Sony could decide they have absolutely nothing to gain from this venture – Microsoft have extended a hand, and now we just have to wait and see whether or not Sony take it.
Don’t worry though, Xbox Live elitists will also be able to adjust their settings so that they can only play with other gamers on their service, so don’t worry if you thought you’d end up mixing with your sworn enemies or whatever.
In addition to natively supporting cross-platform play between Xbox One and Windows 10 games that use Xbox Live, we’re enabling developers to support cross-network play as well. This means players on Xbox One and Windows 10 using Xbox Live will be able to play with players on different online multiplayer networks – including other console and PC networks. Of course, it’s up to game developers to support this feature, and Xbox Live players will always have the option of choosing to play only with other Xbox Live players.
The potential for this is pretty huge. Fans from all consoles playing together on games like The Division, Minecraft, FIFA, and Destiny is a beautiful dream that we’re now one step closer to realising. What a time to be alive.
Ewan Moore is a journalist at UNILAD Gaming who still quite hasn’t gotten out of his mid 00’s emo phase. After graduating from the University of Portsmouth in 2015 with a BA in Journalism & Media Studies (thanks for asking), he went on to do some freelance words for various places, including Kotaku, Den of Geek, and TheSixthAxis, before landing a full time gig at UNILAD in 2016.