Sony suggested that it may be working toward a solution for the ongoing PlayStation 4 cross-play controversy, as gamers have clamored for the console to open up its networks to Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC players.
The hint comes after Sony received massive backlash over its decision to block Fortnite cross-play with the Nintendo Switch, with Fortnite accounts locked for the PlayStation 4 even after using them just once on the console.
Hope Still Alive For PlayStation 4 Cross-Play
At the Gamelab conference in Spain, Sony Interactive Entertainment America President and CEO Shawn Layden delivered a presentation on the legacy of the PlayStation. Afterward, Eurogamer reporter Robert Purchese asked Layden about the PlayStation 4 cross-play issue, claiming that Sony is apparently not listening to its players. The reporter also asked whether there are any plans for the feature to be enabled on the console.
In response, Layden offered a short statement on the matter that offered hope that PlayStation 4 cross-play will happen in the future.
"We're hearing it. We're looking at a lot of the possibilities. You can imagine that the circumstances around that affect a lot more than just one game. I'm confident we'll get to a solution which will be understood and accepted by our gaming community, while at the same time supporting our business," Layden said.
Here's Why PlayStation 4 Cross-Play May Not Happen Soon
Layden's statement was encouraging for PlayStation 4 owners who have been demanding the opening of a cross-play feature so that they can play with gamers on other consoles. Apparently, there is still hope. However, without any concrete plans or a timeline, gamers should not hold their breath while waiting for it to happen.
Gamers became more outraged when Sony responded to the Fortnite cross-play backlash by not acknowledging the issue at all. Layden's statement reverses the matter, but Sony can certainly use silence as its answer to the clamor for cross-play.
Sony prohibits items purchased on other platforms to be used on the PlayStation 4 so that customers will keep spending money within the PS4 ecosystem. Enabling cross-play will open up the console to its challengers, while continuing to block the feature will keep players angry over the issue. It is very possible that the company will simply wait it out and hope that the controversy dies down, at least until the next massive popular game that would be made better with PlayStation 4 cross-play enabled.
