GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Microsoft Wants PS4 and Xbox One to Connect Online

Rocket League announced as first game to support Xbox Live's new Cross-Platform functionality with PC; Microsoft extends invite to "other platforms"

By Tamoor Hussain on March 14, 2016 at 10:45AM PDT

Click To Unmute

GS News Update: Microsoft Wants PS4 and Xbox One to Connect Online

Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

This video has an invalid file format.

00:00:00

Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Microsoft has announced it will natively support cross-platform play between Xbox One, Windows 10, and other "online multiplayer networks." The move effectively opens the Xbox Live platform so that it can accommodate players on Sony's PlayStation Network, among others.

No Caption Provided

The announcement was made on Xbox.com by Chris Charla, director of ID@Xbox, who said "it's up to game developers to support this feature" and noted that players will "always have the option of choosing to play only with other Xbox Live players."

"In addition to natively supporting cross-platform play between Xbox One and Windows 10 games that use Xbox Live, we're enabling developers to support cross-network play as well," Charla explained.

"This means players on Xbox One and Windows 10 using Xbox Live will be able to play with players on different online multiplayer networks--including other consoles and PC networks."

The first game to support the functionality is Psyonix's Rocket League, which will allow Xbox One and PC players to matchmake against each other. Microsoft also extended "an open invitation for other networks to participate as well."

GameSpot has contacted Sony for a comment.

Rocket League supports cross-platform play between the PlayStation 4 and PC versions of the game. When the game launched on Xbox One, it did not contain any cross-platform functionality.

"The Xbox platform doesn't allow for cross-play matchmaking between other systems as a general practice across all titles," developer Psyonix said at the time.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

View Comments (537)

Join the conversation

There are 537 comments about this story

537 Comments RefreshSorted By 537 results 1 ... 3 4 5 6 7 ... 11

GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Please Log In to post.

414

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Wait, when Sony wanted this MS turn them down, now that MS its getting beat now they want to do it?

22 • 9 years ago

187

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

@johnnyboy787: PROVE IT

Upvote • 9 years ago

3655

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 9

User Lists: 0

@johnnyboy787: THAT was never the scenario.

6 • 9 years ago

3879

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@dlCHIEF58: it has always been the scenario, except free and not just on psn...

Upvote • 9 years ago

491

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 50

User Lists: 0

Edited By zinten

@dlCHIEF58: Actually it was the scenario, last gen ffxi released for all platform they wanted to reproduce this with ffxiv but ms closed the door to crossplatform and it only released on ps4 pc as a result.

This gen rocket league was first released on ps4 and pc because ms didnt want the crossplatform with other consoles as well and later released with ms player limited to live same thing happened with warthunder.

Now they finally see that having player from other platform would be useful so that people buying their stuff wont need to hesitate because their friends are on pc, ps4 etc..

Upvote • 9 years ago

3879

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@zinten: 6th gen actually

Upvote • 9 years ago

151

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@zinten: That wasn't Sony, that was Square Enix.

Upvote • 9 years ago

491

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 50

User Lists: 0

Edited By zinten

@noctisumbra: Yep its always up to the dev se, ge and psyonics in the examples I mentioned, if they want cross platform or not, but it was ms decision to abandon crossplatform at the release of the xbox 1 and close the door to those games. sony hasnt changed their ps3 gen stance and allowed crossplatform from the start on ps4.

Upvote • 9 years ago

151

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@zinten: Really? Because, as memory serves, cross-plat play between PSN and XBL has never been a part of the conversation, even Square Enix stated that Final Fantasy XI was MS an exception. Partly because of platform differences with last gen, necessitating extra work to get it to work. This generation though, you can get away with blaming the one who royally bungled the Xbox One reveal. Very easily. In part. I do question Sony's willingness, however, given that they tend to try and discourage multiplatform development, unless they are funding it in some way.

Upvote • 9 years ago

3879

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By Mirimon78

@noctisumbra: never seen sony discourage multi platform development, in fact they literally state the opposite.

Upvote • 9 years ago

491

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 50

User Lists: 0

Edited By zinten

@noctisumbra: Look up any of the games I mentioned and during interview at release time, you will see devs mentioning why the xbox versions arent also cross play with those or why its not released at all. You will always see the same reason mentioned by the devs and its ms that was refusing crossplay with the other platform.

Also I doubt psyonics could have included ms in the multiplat list for rocket league if sony wasnt willing because they just couldn't run games without heavy restrictions.

If sony isnt allowing it, it would force blocking players as soon as a console player joins, we would get ridiculous situations like this : pc player join the waiting list for a game, xb1/ps4 player joins activating the block of the other console then what happens if a friend of the pc players on the other console that played games together just before wants to join as well?

Upvote • 9 years ago

469

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

@johnnyboy787: when?

Upvote • 9 years ago

414

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Johnnyboy787

@mi_hung_lo: last gen on one of the E3, Sony open the Doors for cross play and MS say no, something about we want our comunitty to feel like first clase citizen and close doors.

Upvote • 9 years ago

3774

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

OldDadGamer Moderator

@johnnyboy787: There was also the problem that last gen Sony's whole system was so proprietary and weird. Cool, but weird. Now it's good ol' normal chips that play well with other good ol' normal chips.

3 • 9 years ago

3879

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@olddadgamer: that doesn't matter so much.

Upvote • 9 years ago

1009

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

cross platform play should have been happening for a long time now. this is a step in the right dirtection from ms. I mean why should a game buy the same dev stop you playing with others purly because they use a different console or network in this day and age. what they have been pulling all these years would be like if you were unable to call or text people who use different phone networks to you. I see it as every bit as ludicrous as that concept Only they have some how convinced people that these ways should be the norm

5 • 9 years ago

5185

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 40

User Lists: 0

to time kick some cow ass

Upvote • 9 years ago

142

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

So hilarious that this is being put as some revolutionary move by MS when it's then finally allowing something that's been done on PlayStation since Final Fantasy Online on the PS2. MS is the one that massively late to the party.

16 • 9 years ago

187

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

@beckerjr: ps players have been playing with pc players since ps2?? prove it bby

Upvote • 9 years ago

142

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@kenmaster239: Final Fantasy 11. Released in 2002.

Upvote • 9 years ago

187

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

@beckerjr: Lol yeah... theyre all still playing that game on ps2 in 2016. one game 14 years ago..yawn

Upvote • 9 years ago

406

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

@beckerjr: oh, when did Sony come out in favor of cross play on another console (hint: we're not talking about PC because Xbox has supported this before also) I'll wait for that answer.

2 • 9 years ago

142

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By beckerjr

@mprince131: The 360 had one game that was an exception. Final Fantasy 11 because Square made them do it to get the game. Xbox has been closed besides that. Sony hasn't limited it ever. They obviously couldn't ever do Xbox or Nintendo because THOSE systems have been closed. Those are the facts.

Upvote • 9 years ago

406

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

@beckerjr: Uh, clearly, one of the points in this article is whether or not Sony is going to allow this to go through. Please inform me of where you found this fact. There has never been any indication that Sony has ever Ok'd cross play with other consoles and that is pure speculation on your part. Console manufacturers have never allowed this, because it reduces their competitive advantage. So I'll wait for your source.

Upvote • 9 years ago

76

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

As a PC gamer I wish I could play online with consoles as well. I have a lot of friends who mainly only play on console, and I would love the game with them. Even for competitive games I wouldn't care if I was forced to use a controller, if everyone wants an "even playing field." I just want to game with more people.

3 • 9 years ago

469

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

MS extending that olive branch. Let's rule this together

2 • 9 years ago

3848

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Moonco Moderator

If you can't beat them, try joining them

Microsoft keeps coming up with these crazy ideas week after week lol. I bet they sit around all day twiddling their thumbs until something ridiculous pops in their heads and then they high five each other before going home

19 • 9 years ago

172

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 5

@Moonco: I want that kind of job because those bastards are making six figures just sitting around as you claim. lol

3 • 9 years ago

3848

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Moonco Moderator

@jr_hal: I sit around all day and make zip lol

Upvote • 9 years ago

469

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Edited By Mi_Hung_Lo

@Moonco: You're so off that you don't get it. Maybe you should try going back to 2001 and read what MS' business plan was from the start. Maybe it will make you look a little brighter when you speak

4 • 9 years ago

3848

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Moonco Moderator

@mi_hung_lo: Yes, please share. Probably has something to do with ruling the world

Upvote • 9 years ago

469

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Edited By Mi_Hung_Lo

@Moonco: They weren't in it for the purpose of making a game console. Their purpose was to make an entertainment hub. They have shown you this since the inception of the xbox. From ethernet only to XBL. Now their 3rd generation console connects to everything with so many apps that you don't even need cable anymore. PSN is always trying to play catch up to what MS has been doing. While Sony focuses on games, MS focuses on interface, connectivity, interaction, immersion. Notice the HaloLens is not even focusing on games primarily.

Upvote • 9 years ago

162

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Until all are one!

2 • 9 years ago

guyondainternet

79

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By guyondainternet

You would think gamers would celebrate having more people to play with online and being able to play with friends who own a different console but apparently everything has to be polarized and partisan, the media has done it's job well. These comments are a fine example of groupthink in action.

10 • 9 years ago

142

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@guyondainternet: it's about being fair. Sony has allowed this for years. Microsoft has been the closed one until now. So no some don't want to treat it like some great achievement. By them.

14 • 9 years ago

rosinmonkekyx17

3019

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

rosinmonkekyx17

@beckerjr: No

Sony has allowed cross-play between PC and PS4, what you're saying is Sony has allowed PS-Xbox for years

This is talking about Xbox One and PS4

Upvote • 9 years ago

3879

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@rosinmonkekyx17: sony has... they don’t care with who on what, as long as it perfoems well, is secure, and of value to their customer, since 16 years ago.

Msft is saying do it on xbl or not at all.

Upvote • 9 years ago

142

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@rosinmonkekyx17: No no no. The only cross play was PC because MS didn't allow it on Xbox Live. What part of they were the closed system don't you comprehend dude.

Believe the PR if you want. This is spin.

Upvote • 9 years ago

rosinmonkekyx17

3019

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

rosinmonkekyx17

@beckerjr: First, you said closed one, which I cannot automatically assumed you meant a closed system

Second, this article is about PS4-Xbox One cross-play, it does state they want all 3 but the title of the article is PS-Xbox

Upvote • 9 years ago

26347

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By silversix_

Please please please please please please please DO IT FOR DARK SOULS 3!!!!!!!! That would be so great. I want to receive salty X1 owners rage mail sooooooo bad. Not enough people rage on PS4.

22 • 9 years ago

172

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 5

@silversix_: lmfao. I do want to destroy my brother games like CoD and another few, who only games on xbox one.

Upvote • 9 years ago

572

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@silversix_: every post of yours screams insecurity.

9 • 9 years ago

26347

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By silversix_

@cmdr_danbo: Stop crying.

13 • 9 years ago

11910

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By sladakrobot

@silversix_: I hope there is an option to play without invaders

Upvote • 9 years ago

26347

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By silversix_

@sladakrobot: No that's stupid. I want it to be crossplay just to invade and annoy the host.

3 • 9 years ago

1260

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

@silversix_: who would of thought that you, of all people, like to troll?

4 • 9 years ago

26347

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@MrFreehuggs: Oh yes i will invade you, break your armor and throw you off of a cliff while spamming emotes. oh yes the Souls series is glorious.

Upvote • 9 years ago

1260

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

@silversix_: you probably would. Even though it's my favorite series, I'm terrible in PvP

Upvote • 9 years ago

116

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Thats a novel idea, wonder why no one ever thought of that before..... -_-

Haha and all the fanboys complaining about downgrading graphics, you are smart. Keep it up!

2 • 9 years ago

12789

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Oh and I have a feeling there will be another article later today or tomorrow with Phil explaining what all this means. Seems to be a lot of those lately. Chris Charla I believe is head over the indie scene on xbox. So this might only apply to games like rocket league. Hope to hear some clarification soon before our hopes get shattered.

Upvote • 9 years ago

3084

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Great idea, but not sure how it would be met by Sony.

You do get the impression one of the reasons the PS4 is doing so well, it's because they were quick off the blocks and probably others buy/bought one to play games with friends.

Could be wrong of course.

Upvote • 9 years ago

12789

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Here's a question for someone: When I play ffxiv, I'm using their servers in canada, not sonys, right? Is rocket league like this? I'm almost positive even if psn went down for maintenance I could still log into ffxiv. So wouldn't it all depend on the game and their own servers? For instance, if xbox gets ffxiv, Sony can't block ps players from playing with xbox players because it's using ffxivs own servers. Does Sony open up their servers to PC players, or is it servers set up for a specific game? Another question: Does this mean I'll have to pay for xbl to play with xbox players? And final question... does rocket league require ps plus to play with PC players? I know it wasn't required with ffxiv but it might be because the sub fee.

Upvote • 9 years ago

12789

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@zero_juice: Thanks for the reply. So in a nutshell, this isn't going to happen because sony and Microsoft will not be sharing servers together. And the only way this could possibly (probably will) happen is if the game uses its own servers. So this article is extremely misleading and by reading the comments I see a lot of people are in for a disappointment, including myself. But it will be fun to play ffxiv with some xbox players... show them the ropes so to say. Only thing is chat will have to be through Skype or a similar program (this is how I chat from ps4 to pc).

Upvote • 9 years ago

537 results
1
...
3
4
5
6
7
...
11

Use your keyboard!

ESC

Log in to comment