After plenty of drama, Sony has finally given in. That’s right. Fortnite crossplay is finally coming to PlayStation 4 beginning today. Today’s news comes after Nintendo and Microsoft rolled out this feature months ago. A move that united the two communities while PlayStation gamers were left out in the cold.
Don’t get too excited yet. Sony will be rolling out cross-platform play in beta form initially before moving forward at a later date. More details below.
Sony opens Fortnite cross-play beta on PlayStation 4
Following what Sony called “a comprehensive evaluation process”, the manufacturer seems to have found a way forward much to the delight of its community. Today’s beta announcement will deliver crossplay functionality with Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Mac operating systems. A move that is sure to appease the folks at Epic Games, just as much as gamers themselves.
Details were never very clear on why Sony was so resistant to the idea. The technology was clearly available, as Microsoft, Nintendo and others easily implemented this popular feature. Sony noted that it believed keeping Fortnite closed to PS4 users alone helped deliver a solid gaming experience. But it certainly made the brand look old-fashioned while its competitors embraced this change.
The Fortnite open beta on PlayStation 4 will open today, and if all goes to plan, will become a permanent addition in due time. You can download the open beta on the PlayStation store.
What does this mean for Sony going forward?
Today’s announcement is certainly a win for gamers. And whether Sony likes it or not, it’s a good thing for them as well. Look for more games on PlayStation 4 to introduce cross-platform gaming over the next year if all goes to plan with the open beta.
Popular titles like Minecraft and Rocket League first championed crossplay in 2017, so it’s no surprise that more studios are taking interest. As far as we’re concerned, it’s a win-win for everyone. Being able to play with your friends, regardless of platform, makes game nights all the more fun.
Now, if we can just make cross-platform communication a thing.
[9to5-press-release]
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.
In the meantime, please stay tuned for more information via PlayStation.Blog and social channels, including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
[/9to5-press-release]
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