Sony Confirms Cross Platform Play is Technically Feasible
There's a lot of talk about cross platform play, specifically between Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4, since the former announced that it's swinging open the doors to allow developers to incorporate the new feature in their games. Now, Sony has commented further saying technically, cross play between these two closed networks is feasible, although there are other factors to consider for the feature to become a reality.
Eurogamer caught up with Shuhei Yoshida, Sony Computer Entertainment's worldwide studios, at the Game Developers Conference this week. The publication pressed the executive for a clearer position or statement regarding the matter.
"Because PC is an open platform it's much more straightforward," Yoshida told Eurogamer. "Connecting two different closed networks is much more complicated so we have to work with developers and publishers to understand what it is they are trying to accomplish. We also have to look at the technical aspect - and the technical aspect could be the easiest. We also have to look at policy issues and business issues as well."
Yoshida suggests there's really no technical issue that might prevent Xbox One gamers from playing with PS4 players. However, whether this will actually happen will depend much on whether or not cross platform play will align with Sony's business interests.
The recent comments align with what Sony said previously. The company said it would be "happy" to discuss cross platform play with any developer or publisher who is interested in pursuing it, adding it has been supporting such feature between PC and its consoles. The latest example of this is Capcom's "Street Fighter 5" and Psyonix's "Rocket League," both of which launched to Sony's consoles and PC.
Psyonix is expected to be involved in a lengthy discussion regarding the possibility of Xbox One and PS4 cross play with Sony. The publisher promised to provide updates on how this goes in future.
Watch Eurogamer's interview with Yoshida below: