PlayStation Finally Folds to the Cross Platform Gaming Pressure

by Jay Parks (GrimlockTheDino)

In an unexpected turn of events, Sony has changed their stance on cross platform gaming. Starting today, a beta will launch, allowing the PlayStation community to cross play with non-PlayStation communities.

This new venture for Sony will start with Fortnite only, and expand to other games based off research gathered during the beta. This cross platform gaming beta will allow for gameplay, progression, and commerce across PS4, Xbox 1, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Android, and iOS. Beyond the information above, little else has been revealed by Sony; no information has been given on how to sign up for the beta yet. 

This information was announced via the PlayStation blog which does state that cross platform gaming is a major change in the industry, which Sony could no longer ignore. PlayStation's president and CEO John Kodera was quoted in the blog saying:

“Today, the communities around some games have evolved to the point where cross-platform experiences add significant value to players,” Kodera explained. “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.”

Gamers of all types have stood their ground asking for change, and today we can celebrate as one of the major walls left (PlayStation) has begun to be torn down. In the last year, gamers have spoken up on important topics within the gaming industry like loot boxes, microtransactions, and cross play (just to name a few), and the results show that we have the power to create change and keep moving our industry in a better direction. 

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