Microsoft Won't Force Games to Support Cross-Platform Play

Following today's announcement that the Xbox One will support cross-platform play with PC later this year, Microsoft's top gaming boss, Phil Spencer, has spoken out to calm concerns that the company might force developers to support the feature. That's not the case, he says.

"I think [cross-platform play is] an enabling technology to make games great," Spencer said today as part of a group interview attended by GameSpot. "If somebody decides that cross-platform play isn't something that's going to make their game great, there's no way I'd ever create a [publishing requirement] that says you must do this."

Spencer was also asked how Microsoft plans to keep the playing fields level for games that support cross-platform integration between Xbox One and PC. After all, PC players get to use a mouse, which many consider to be superior to a controller in terms of responsiveness.

The Xbox executive acknowledged that a mouse has a far greater rotation speed than a traditional controller, but pointed out that developers are likely to find ways to balance things out.

As an example, Spencer said developers might choose to make specific playlists that only allow players to use a controller or keyboard and mouse. Developers could also make playlists that allow both control setups, he said.

"In the end, some people are hardcore about the competition, and some people just want to have fun playing," he said. "I want to make sure we're enabling both."

Lionhead's Fable Legends will be among the first games to support cross-platform play between Xbox One and PC when the game is released later this year.

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