Bethesda might not port Elder Scrolls Legends to the PS4 due to Cross Play issue

Pete Hines had a quick interview at QuakeCon where he talked about the game. He made it clear that cross play and cross progression were a priority and that it's non negotiable.

At this year's QuakeCon in Grapevine, Texas, I sat down with Pete Hines, Bethesda's senior vice president of global marketing and communications, to talk about the forthcoming console version of The Elder Scrolls Legends. My first question was for Hines to give a general overview of what console players should expect from The Elder Scrolls: Legends when it eventually hits on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Switch.

"[The Elder Scrolls Legends] is a strategy card game that encompasses both single and multiplayer," Hines said. "It is both cross-platform play and cross-platform progress."

I cut him off at this point to clarify that the cross-play would only be on "certain systems," since I figured this wouldn't apply on PS4.

Hines replied, "It is our intention in order for the game to come out, it has to be those things on any system. We cannot have a game that works one way across everywhere else except for on this one thing. The way the game works right now on Apple, Google, Steam, and Bethesda.net, it doesn't matter where you buy your stuff, if you play it on another platform that stuff is there. It doesn't matter what platform you play on, you play against everyone else who is playing at that moment. There's no 'Oh, it's easier to control, or it has a better framerate on this system.' It's a strategy card game. It doesn't matter."

I asked him if that meant there's a chance it won't come out on PlayStation 4 if Sony doesn't change its stance. "We continue to talk to all of our platform partners," Hines added. "But those [terms] are essentially non-negotiable. We can't be talking about one version of Legends, where you take your progress with you, and another version where you stay within that ecosystem or its walled off from everything else. That is counter to what the game has been about."

I told Hines that Sony isn't letting Fortnite offer cross-play, and that game is the biggest thing out there right now. "I am aware," he said. "I'm just telling you that's our stance. That is our intent. And that is our message. Not specific to anyone in particular, but to everyone we are talking about. This is 100 percent clear. This is what we are doing, what we need, and what we intend."

Who knows if they'll make due on their threat. We'll have to see when the time comes.

Link: https://www.gameinformer.com/2018/08/11/bethesda-may-not-release-the-elder-scrolls-legends-on-systems-that-dont-allow-crossplay

Man the cows are avoiding this thread, Bethesda is now the enemy lol.

To bad for PS fans :P

They're not gonna lose out on 85 million potential customers lol.

Any sensible person would know this is not going to happen. PlayStation is this generation console now. They would lose a lot by avoiding the PlayStation due to silly thing as crossplay.

But I think their main issue is cross progress. Which I think Sony would give.

It's the PlayStation. They're staying on board.

This is such a weak threat by Bethesda and they know it, if you want to call it that. They could at least put something carrying higher personal stakes on the line to be taken more seriously.

It's a "free-2-play" game that anyone can download on iOS or Android etc.... any PS4 owner that might be annoyed they can't play on PS4 can just get it free on their phone or tablet. Big deal.. The potential loss to Bethesda is pretty damn low. This bluff takes no balls whatsoever. It's a Mobile game, I don't think Bethesda cares that much.

The only thing we're waiting on is the real Elder Scrolls game, The Elder Scrolls 6, not this cheap ass mobile.

@davillain-: are you actually crying? Cause that’s how this post comes off

Highly doubt it. Sony is in a position to call the shots here

Sucks for Bethesda losing all that potential buyers. Lol

Are they? They're one platform out of many. The tech industry is fickle and constantly fluctuating, SONY could be on the bottom in a matter of weeks.

Sucks more for PS4 customers. Maybe they should ask SONY to reconsider instead of being sycophants.

Everyone should want crossplay. Even if you won't take advantage of it, you should want it. It is pro-consumer, pro-gamer, pro-community.

They already gave up Steam concerning Fallout 76. I don't think they'll have any issues giving up PS4.

Also, concerning TES Legends, people will buy it on their phones or laptops if they can't play it on PS4.

Do they really need to release it PS4? I don't think so.

yeah and TES 6 won't have multiplayer (if it's like previous titles) so it's a moot point there. Still...would be interesting to see how this goes.

With their recent and creative and incredibly aggressive way of dealing with griefers and this revelation that a game won't be brought to PS4, I think Bethesda is feeling pretty bold. Good for them.

all cows have PCs dontchyaknow

oh wait, mobile garbage, this will probably be the last time we'll hear about this

@mrbojangles25: "Sucks more for PS4 customers. Maybe they should ask SONY to reconsider instead of being sycophants."

Well, I don't buy anything Bethesda, so it's fine by me.

?

Sony cross plays with PC does it not? Aside from Xbox and Nintendo, Sony do not discourage cross play, in which case this threat does not apply.

Great i love to see that,it would be fun seen then try to avoid the PS4 which has a bigger user base than the xbox and switch combined.

?

Cows don't want a card game.

They've got AAA blockbuster hits like God of War and Spiderman. Bethesda has no place on PS4 with their low-quality buggy games. Everyone knows Skyrim is shit. Sony will protect us from bad games.

How Skyrim VR on PSVR? I hear its great.

So i take it Fallout 76 will also have crossplay and it won't be on PS4.

Nice. I really like seeing these developers keep pushing for crossplay.

Lol that would not be a good idea, Bethesda.

@vfighter: waiting game now. tbh they should have done this with Fallout 76 to prove a point. Doing this on a strategy card game seems like they don't have the balls to do it on a bigger game, one that would have more of an effect if the game skips ps4.

AHAHAHAHA! I'd like to see them stick to that. They're gonna throw a hissyfit over this game but not over Fallout 76. They don't have the balls.

OH NO! Not an Elder Scrolls card game!

In all seriousness Bethesda could keep all of their games off PS4 and I wouldn't care. I don't like their games.

Ooh shit I guess I have to play it on my Ipad lol

@luxuryheart: I don´t know what is the funniest, that Bethesda thinks they are in any position to make ultimate demands or this thread where actual people think this game is on the top of most of playstation users wishlist.

And that someone thinks Sony will be at the bottom this console generation is hilarious,

? I'm not sure what's funnier, Bethesda thinking they are in a position to threaten Sony with its monstrously huge install base that's bigger than Switch and the Flopbone combined or that they actually think cows are itching to play a shitty card game from them.

Lmao, exactly my thoughts.

Bethesda seriously think they are going to make a statement with a card game :lmao

If they want to show Sony, they should do that with Fallout 76, Doom or Elder Scroll 6. But they don't have balls for that.

If they serious about that, they should be called Bitchesda because they won't do that with AAA games.

Still looking forward to ES6 though.

Howdy :)

"The Elder Scrolls Legends] is a strategy card game that encompasses both single and multiplayer"

eh, no thanks. Not into card games

Most likely just a PR stunt. If they were really serious about this cross play issue, they would pull it with Fallout 76.

I'm still excited for Skyrim on the Switch, Elder Scroll 6, and Fallout Shelter on the Switch. I just hate some of the stunts they've pulled lately.

PS4 is doomed.

Reminds, Hearthstone still not on consoles?

I don't really think a mobile card game coming to PS4 is a make or break situation. Most PS players are too hyped for Spiderman to even pay attention from what I've seen.

An Elder Scrolls card game? Shoot, they're better off putting cards, a board or boards, and instructions into a box and said "Here, buy our card game". There would be no electricity required and you can play it offline locally.

@recloud:

There is no buyers cuz game os F2P.

Sorry Bethesda, we don't give ***t!!!

Just make my day and do it ^^

Well, since you don't like paying to play online or afford anything, it should be good for you that it's F2P

Not even to Yu-Gi-Oh?

@NathanDrakeSwag: Holy shit its a card game and not even a main entry into the series lol, way to stick it to um Bethesda.

rofl oh no a card game that nobody wants to play won't come to ps4? uh oh sony better watch its back

If anything, I hope this brings more attention to Legends, because it's a really good card game. Personally, I enjoyed more than HS.

@davillain-: lol not even Yugioh, though I did play the GBC version of it, also Pokemon Trading Card. But now, not really interested in card based games

Yeah he is because Bethesda are taking a shot at his Godny LOL.

Dav used to be kinda unique, as in he was a cow but hiding in the closet, but he's just an average cow now :(

Awww, Yu-Gi-Oh is the only card game I can really sink my teeth into. Hell, it's the only card series I know so well, I can't even get myself into any other card games. Even Gwent in Witcher series, I totally suck at it lol.

This is such a stupid stance by Bethesda.

Sony will gladly accept crossplay with all versions on PC and Smart Phones.

They just say no to Xbone and switch which is not a big deal.

Bethesda would have to be insanely stupid to lose out on potentially 85 Million PS4 owners.

Lmao..There is no way that Bethesda is gonna abandon that massive fan base on the PS4. Shut up, Pete

I’m sure Sony is shaking in their boots lol