Sony President Explains Why PS4 and Xbox One Cross-Network Play Won’t Be Easy


Image credit: Forbes.com

If you’re a gamer and have not been living under a rock, you must have heard about Microsoft’s big announcement from last week opening up the Xbox One to support cross-network play.

Sony also replied soon after when Gamespot inquired but it’s answer was rather diplomatic and didn’t really give us a clear idea about its plan for the PS4 in relation to allowing cross-play with Xbox One.

Source: techradar.com
Source: techradar.com

It just said that it was already supporting cross-network play between PS4 and PC and would continue to do so. It refused to make any comments when asked about its plans in relation to the Xbox One.

However, that changes now since Eurogamer caught up with Sony Worldwide Studios’ boss Shuhei Yoshida and he gave a lot of insight as to why it isn’t as easy as you think.

When asked if Sony plans to allow cross-network play between the PS4 and Xbox One, Yoshida at first was at his diplomatic best.

“I understand their policies changed, right?” Yoshida said. “They’re saying they’re going to do cross-platform play between Xbox One and PC with some games.

“We’ve been doing that with PS3 and PC, PS4 and PC most recently with Street Fighter 5 and Rocket League and other games. That’s noting new for us, in terms of working with developers and publishers to allow cross-platform play between PC and PS4.”

Source: theverge.com
Source: theverge.com

Didn’t we all hear the same thing from Sony rep two days ago when Gamespot asked them the same question? We sure did. But here’s where it got a lot more interesting as he then went on to finally address the subject.

Read Yoshida’s Statement on the next page