#GamingBytes: Fortnite for PS4 gets cross-platform play
Following several months of debate and deliberation, Sony has decided to give in to the future of gaming. The company has removed its longstanding quarantining process of PlayStation users. Now, PS4 is starting its beta for cross-platform play, beginning with Fortnite. This major reversal could open the gates for other studios to avail this cross-platform gaming method. Read all about Sony's radical decision here.
How will it roll out cross-platform gaming?
John Kodera, the global CEO and PlayStation's President, outlined the company's plans for the cross-platform play. The first step starts with an open beta, allowing Fortnite to be played against other platform users like Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android. Through this beta, the company will test if the cross-platform play on PS4 provides the best user experience from a 'technical and social perspective'.
A rolling stone gathers no moss
Sony's recent decision to open up cross-platform play goes against its longstanding system of separating PlayStation gamers from the rest of the industry. Earlier, it argued that cross-platform play was unsafe. However, on facing pressure from big gaming companies like Bethesda, it decided to embrace the future of gaming. Although the working of cross-platform play remains unknown, Sony's decision is a welcome move.
Looking to a new horizon in the gaming industry
Kodera commented that gaming communities have grown so strong that it added significant value to players if the cross-platform play was introduced. In this new age of gaming, PlayStation decided to analyze business mechanics to ensure that gameplay experience remained intact while opening up the platform. Hopefully, if the testing goes well, PlayStation gamers could be looking at cross-platform play for other games too.
But for now, get ready for Battle Royale
The introduction of cross-platform play for Fortnite could not have come at a better time for PlayStation users. With Season 6, just having come out, players can now jump off the bus and engage in a Battle Royale with PC, Xbox, and other platform users.
