Microsoft has just announced a new initiative that could have far reaching consequences in the world of gaming, with Cross-Network Play promising to allow players on Xbox One the ability to link up and play with people on other networks.
Naturally Windows 10 PC was mentioned by name, but the announcement also included the words "other console and PC networks", meaning that potentially we could be looking at a future where people on PS4 and Xbox One are able to play together (hopefully in harmony). Here's what ID@Xbox's Chris Charla said over on Xbox Wire:
"First, 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. 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 console and PC networks.
"Of course, it's up to game developers to support this feature, and Xbox Live players will always have the option of choosing to play only with other Xbox Live players. We're thrilled to confirm that Psyonix's Rocket League will be one of the first games to take advantage of this new capability by enabling cross-network play between Xbox One and PC players, with an open invitation for other networks to participate as well."
Psyonix also had something to say on the matter, confirming the initiative, and suggesting that news regarding "other platforms" would be coming soon. Here's the studio's Rocket League flavoured statement:
To say that the team here at Psyonix is both honored and excited to have Rocket League as the first cross-network game is a massive understatement. Cross-network play has been the number-one most requested feature our community has asked for since Rocket League was first announced on Xbox One, and now that we are able to pursue complete online unity on all platforms, today's announcement is a dream come true.
Expect to see Rocket League cross-network play working on Xbox One and PC later this spring, with information regarding other platforms coming soon.
We certainly didn't see this one coming, and it would be a most interesting development if Sony came on board (we're not sure they will, mind). Perhaps Minecraft might be the perfect vehicle to make something like this work, with the Microsoft-owned title available through all of Sony's currently supported platforms.