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Microsoft on Xbox-One-PS4 Cross-Platform Play: 'We're Ready'

Mario and Sonic! Xbox One and PS4! Dogs and cats living together! If, that is, Sony decides to accept Microsoft's invitation to coexist.

David Craddock

April 8, 2016 2:45 PM

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Microsoft has cracked open the door in the wall separating players on PS4 and Xbox One. Now, all that remains to be seen is whether or not Sony will step through.

Back in March, Psyonix's Rocket League became the first title to allow cross-play between the two console camps. Speaking to Eurogamer, Microsoft ID@Xbox Europe's Agostino Simonetta confirmed that the technical groundwork has been laid to bridge the gap between virtually any title available on Xbox One and PS4. "Any title that wants to update their game to include cross-network play, any title that wants to launch soon and take advantage of that, we are ready."

Microsoft's willing to go even further. In the same interview, Simonetta implied that Xbox One would play nice with any other outside network—implying, it would seem, that Xbox One players could communicate with their brethren playing games on Nintendo NX, providing NX technology allows such connectivity.

Microsoft's new agnostic approach to online gaming extends to other previously walled gardens within its castle. Killer Instinct, formerly an Xbox One exclusive that recently made the leap to Windows 10, allows players who purchased content for their Xbox consoles to pick up right where they left off on the PC version: characters, costumes, the works.

David Craddock

Long Reads Editor

David L. Craddock writes fiction, nonfiction, and grocery lists. He is the author of the Stay Awhile and Listen series, and the Gairden Chronicles series of fantasy novels for young adults. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing Mario, Zelda, and Dark Souls games, and will be happy to discuss at length the myriad reasons why Dark Souls 2 is the best in the series. Follow him online at davidlcraddock.com and @davidlcraddock.