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Microsoft announces Xbox Live cross-network (PSN and other networks) play

T

Trup1aya

Member
Caipirinha said:
Broski this isn't about PR, there's no money in "Nice Guy Microsoft" when it comes to the Xbox One at this point, look at this in context with the recent talk about Xbox being a W10 platform, all the W10 discussion at GDC, "maybe no future Xbox", Xbox revisions, closing studios, exclusives coming to PC etc.

It's all part of Xbox becoming some kind of monetisation model for PC gaming. In that world, Microsoft aren't competing with Sony, the PS4 is just another platform to provide it's services on, hence moves like this.

Microsoft. Is. Leaving. Traditional. Console. Gaming.

I'm really starting to wonder when the penny is gonna drop for some people here but I suppose emotional attachment to the idea of Microsoft being part of the "console war" is too strong for them.
Click to expand...

MS is staying in the console market. Even if their next box shares an ecosystem with win10 PC, it will still target console gamers. They'll still want that walled garden where they can offer subscription services and collect licensing on all software sold. They can't have that on PC.

When you take a dedicated gaming PC, with a fixed hardware configuration, and close it down so it only has access to the 1st party marketplace, you have a console.
 
E

Ethelwulf

Member
Next megaton: Sony signs exclusive partnership with valve, sony first party games exclusive to steamOS, half life 3 confirmed for ps4 and steamOS.
jk, but would love it for the fun it would create
 
S

Saul

Banned
Caipirinha said:
Sure they would, but those aren't consoles, anymore than a Steam machine is, and there's no reason to think they will be a bigger market than those.
Click to expand...
Steam Machines are consoles. It just so happens to be there don't seem to be many Steam users wanting them for living room gaming.

This entirely different Microsoft, as they already have a big user base of hardcore console gamers, as well as a capable cross-platform OS and app environment.

Will be interesting to see how this plays out. Bold moves frome Microsoft those days. ☺
 
B

bishoptl

Banstick Emeritus
Terrell said:
You guys are looking at this from the wrong angle. It's not about "what's in it for Sony". It's about "what does Sony stand to gain from saying no".

You think that the industry press won't tear Sony to absolute SHREDS if they say no? Of course they will. And at a moment when their brand power is riding high, they really don't need anyone tearing them down or making them look like the odd man out.

Speaking of which, once Sony rubbed Microsoft's nose in their attempt at draconian business practices, I knew that the moment Sony even thinks of trying to do something that sets back the industry (which is how this will be framed, make no mistake), the blowback from it will be EPIC. Their competitors will never let them live down that "throwing stones in glass houses" moment.

And this is without even mentioning the sheer mind-blowingly unthinkable prospect of Nintendo getting a PR leg up on Sony by coming to E3 and stating they'll play ball with online cross-play for NX, which would make Sony look even worse from a PR standpoint. And the moment Nintendo gets one over on Sony is quite possibly the day the world ends.

But saying no to online cross-play opens up this entire world of hurt that Sony could (and likely will) easily avoid.
Click to expand...
All they have to say is "we've always been open".
 
A

Alienous

Member
Terrell said:
You guys are looking at this from the wrong angle. It's not about "what's in it for Sony". It's about "what does Sony stand to gain from saying no".

You think that the industry press won't tear Sony to absolute SHREDS if they say no? Of course they will. And at a moment when their brand power is riding high, they really don't need anyone tearing them down or making them look like the odd man out.

Speaking of which, once Sony rubbed Microsoft's nose in their attempt at draconian business practices, I knew that the moment Sony even thinks of trying to do something that sets back the industry (which is how this will be framed, make no mistake), the blowback from it will be EPIC. Their competitors will never let them live down that "throwing stones in glass houses" moment.

And this is without even mentioning the sheer mind-blowingly unthinkable prospect of Nintendo getting a PR leg up on Sony by coming to E3 and stating they'll play ball with online cross-play for NX, which would make Sony look even worse from a PR standpoint. And the moment Nintendo gets one over on Sony is quite possibly the day the world ends.

But saying no to online cross-play opens up this entire world of hurt that Sony could (and likely will) easily avoid.
Click to expand...

Sony isn't going to be bullied into it, though.

Saying no would just mean withstanding hashtags for half of a month, and a couple of stock interview responses. "Whilst that's a nice idea we're focused on developing and improving our network for our consumers, and...".
 
P

Pif

Banned
Trup1aya said:
MS is staying in the console market. Even if their next box shares an ecosystem with win10 PC, it will still target console gamers. They'll still want that walled garden where they can offer subscription services and collect licensing on all software sold. They can't have that on PC.

When you take a dedicated gaming PC, with a fixed hardware configuration, and close it down so it only has access to the 1st party marketplace, you have a console.
Click to expand...

Like a steam machine?
 
I

Iztok Mravlja

Banned
Saul said:
You can also install Windows in a Mac. Why would this be a criteria?

It comes shipped running an OS designed for the living room, that's why it's a console.
Click to expand...

"only has access to the 1st party marketplace" - I was reffering to this, and this is a key difference between PCs & consoles. You can't install another OS on consoles (never forget PS2 Linux ...).

The fact that it's useful in the living room is not an argument, as regular Windows PCs have been for a long time now.

P.S.: "with a fixed hardware configuration" - this part of the argument doesn't apply to Steam machines, either.
 
B

Brad Grenz

Member
It's amusing people are so focused on the PS4 to Xbox One stuff when this policy change is almost certainly more about making sure buying games through the Windows 10 store doesn't leave users orphaned from the larger Steam playerbase. It's just another step along the path of leaving the console hardware business behind.
 
A

AncientDiety

Banned
Terrell said:
You guys are looking at this from the wrong angle. It's not about "what's in it for Sony". It's about "what does Sony stand to gain from saying no".

You think that the industry press won't tear Sony to absolute SHREDS if they say no? Of course they will. And at a moment when their brand power is riding high, they really don't need anyone tearing them down or making them look like the odd man out.

Speaking of which, once Sony rubbed Microsoft's nose in their attempt at draconian business practices, I knew that the moment Sony even thinks of trying to do something that sets back the industry (which is how this will be framed, make no mistake), the blowback from it will be EPIC. Their competitors will never let them live down that "throwing stones in glass houses" moment.

And this is without even mentioning the sheer mind-blowingly unthinkable prospect of Nintendo getting a PR leg up on Sony by coming to E3 and stating they'll play ball with online cross-play for NX, which would make Sony look even worse from a PR standpoint. And the moment Nintendo gets one over on Sony is quite possibly the day the world ends.

But saying no to online cross-play opens up this entire world of hurt that Sony could (and likely will) easily avoid.
Click to expand...

Sony could not say anything or just say no and they will continue to outsell the competition 2:1.....some of you are making a way bigger deal about this then it is.
 
Q

QuikNez

Member
Alienous said:
Sony isn't going to be bullied into it, though.

Saying no would just mean withstanding hashtags for half of a month, and a couple of stock interview responses. "Whilst that's a nice idea we're focused on developing and improving our network for our consumers, and...".
Click to expand...

Come on guys, I accept and appreciate allegiances / loyalty, but "bullied" is a total hyperbole.
 
S

SOR5

Member
QuikNez said:
Come on guys, I accept and appreciate allegiances / loyalty, but "bullied" is a total hyperbole.
Click to expand...

Nudged

Pestered

Encouraged

Teen-Drinking-and-Peer-Pressure.png
 
Sorcerer

Sorcerer

Member
Awesome move and very smart of Microsoft to be proactive and get there first with cross console play.

Its puts Sony in a position of looking like the villain if they simply refuse to play along.
 
S

SOR5

Member
Sorcerer said:
Awesome move and very smart of Microsoft to be proactive and get there first with cross console play.

Its puts Sony in a position of looking like the villain if they simply refuse to play along.
Click to expand...

Sony was definitely "there" first in the Xbox<->PS bridge, but their stance was more apathetic than anything. It was a sure-why-not approach that didn't get much coverage

So from a PR standpoint, it makes sense why Sony risks looking like the 'bad guy' here as MS is directly extending their arm out for a hand-shake.

But still from all honesty, there was a point where Sony were definitely okay with it and thats important to note
 
O

On Demand

Banned
Sorcerer said:
Awesome move and very smart of Microsoft to be proactive and get there first with cross console play.

Its puts Sony in a position of looking like the villain if they simply refuse to play along.
Click to expand...

If gaf is misinformed about this, imagine what the general gaming community thinks.

-_-
 
J

jeff_rigby

Banned
Brad Grenz said:
It's amusing people are so focused on the PS4 to Xbox One stuff when this policy change is almost certainly more about making sure buying games through the Windows 10 store doesn't leave users orphaned from the larger Steam playerbase. It's just another step along the path of leaving the console hardware business behind.
Click to expand...
With AMD just releasing Game DVR in their GPU drivers, another point supporting your statement.

Lets face it, Low latency h.264 encoders in AMD APUs are first for Game streaming between platforms (Low latency is not needed for Skype or Media streaming), then Game DVR then Video Chat then Media hub streaming between platforms in the home. AMD's Carrizo starts next generation PC HEVC encode and decode with Microsoft stating the XB1 supports HEVC encode/decode for Skype and Game Streaming/DVR. What they don't say is the HEVC profile 10 is for UHD TV, Blu-ray and IPTV. Carrizo (1.03 TF) and later AMD PC APUs can be in the living room serving next generation media which the XB1 (1.3 TF) and PS4 (1.8 TF) are designed to do. As more and more PCs support this we move the PC into the living room supplanting the Game Console media role and they can also play games.

It's my opinion that Microsoft and Sony have the same end game with minor differences.
 
W

watdaeff4

Member
Did MS come out and say PSN for cross-play? Or are we assuming? They may just be wanting to team up (for lack of a better phrase) with Nintendo, especially with NX on the horizon.

Also, I find it interesting that before this announcement, many were dogging MS for not allowing crossplay (and understandably so), but quite a few comments here in response to this announcement and the defense of Sony if they don't want to allow crossplay with MS has me scratching my head a little. And it's a moot point, as I'll be shocked if Sony doesn't allow it IF Microsoft is open to crossplay with PSN.

EDIT: I'm also curious how this is 'another' sign that MS is leaving the console hardware business behind.
 
S

SmartWaffles

Member
watdaeff4 said:
Did MS come out and say PSN for cross-play? Or are we assuming? They may just be wanting to team up (for lack of a better phrase) with Nintendo, especially with NX on the horizon.

Also, I find it interesting that before this announcement, many were dogging MS for not allowing crossplay (and understandably so), but quite a few comments here in response to this announcement and the defense of Sony if they don't want to allow crossplay with MS has me scratching my head a little. And it's a moot point, as I'll be shocked if Sony doesn't allow it IF Microsoft is open to crossplay with PSN.

EDIT: I'm also curious how this is 'another' sign that MS is leaving the console hardware business behind.
Click to expand...

Despite some posts in this thread wanting you to believe otherwise, Sony has always been open to cross-platform play opportunities, and from what Psyonix has been doing, it is very unlikely Sony will turn this down.

And no, they are not leaving console business.
 
W

watdaeff4

Member
SmartWaffles said:
Despite some posts in this thread wanting you to believe otherwise, Sony has always been open to cross-platform play opportunities, and from what Psyonix has been doing, it is very unlikely Sony will turn this down.

And no, they are not leaving console business.
Click to expand...

I don't think Sony will turn it down either. Just am amused by some of the posts that give rationale why if they do and that it's okay if they do?
 
DC1

DC1

Member
Woo-Fu said:
Maybe they read GAF and see everybody saying, "I'll buy the game on the platform that has my friends on it since multiplayer is important." or "The community is already half dead on xbox one and PC, I should have bought the PS4 version."

So now if a multiplayer game features crossplay you don't have to worry about the viability of the community specific to your platform of choice.
Click to expand...

The fear of a dead community may be part of it; particularly for cottage games.

But Microsofts larger unifying play reveals what they always projected through earnings report: The XBOX console business does not return the expected profit margins to justify another billion dollars investment.

If rounded margins can be realized through a software framework prepackaged within Windows then HotDamn!
 
S

SmartWaffles

Member
watdaeff4 said:
I don't think Sony will turn it down either. Just am amused by some of the posts that give rationale why if they do and that it's okay if they do?
Click to expand...

They are not going to lose anything, PS4 and PS4 games will continue to sell gangbusters, while they can continue gathering good will and is really doing great things for all us players with MS. Turning it down will however, make them look a little bad.
 
S

SOR5

Member
On Demand said:
If gaf is misinformed about this, imagine what the general gaming community thinks.

-_-
Click to expand...

The key difference is PR and public perception

While it's known to us enthusiasts that Sony did indeed say at one point they were okay with it, they didn't make a big deal about it, nor did they really actively 'seek' it.(at least with PS/Xbox)

MS has always been closed off about it, and the regular consumer just got used to it as 'the norm' not understanding the politics behind why theres no crossplay, however now they've got this big open invitation out there thats on social media, discussion forums etc. and if any of the big networks decline whilst some accept, they wont hear the end of it.

Anybody saying MS was late to the party is correct
Anybody saying Sony's response is crucial now is correct
Anybody saying MS pulled a significant PR move is correct
Anybody saying Sony was open is correct
 
L

leeh

Member
I'm thrilled to hear this news, but I'm skeptical. Very skeptical.

What gets me, is that with the Rocket League announcement, they say it's coming to Xbox One and PC later this spring with other platforms announced later. Although, as we all know, PC & PS4 is already supported. So what's going to happen there? Are they going to redact the PS4 cross-play?

Quote:
Expect to see Rocket League cross-network play working on Xbox One and PC later this spring, with information regarding other platforms coming soon.
Click to expand...

With this in mind, it makes me think around the practical implementation MS are using to support this. I've always stated that I feel like MS didn't support cross-play due to the nonsupporting of other players being integrated into the console OS, which segregates players and player pools.

Microsoft must of created the ability to be able to show recently played players into the console OS, and providing functionality to load ones profile within the guide on the X1. PS4 version must be coming later as the need to bake the usage of this API into the PS4 build.

From my point of view, this is quite shady from MS. If they're making other companies use their API to support cross-platform play, they're essentially monopolizing an open system meant for cross-platform use. Although, I understand the business logic, as they have Azure.

I can't quite figure the ins and outs in my head around this, but I'm excited to see what it actually results in and what happens to the PS4 version.

(If there's already been answers around the PS4 version, then I'd love to know)
 
P

ps3ud0

Member
bishoptl said:
All they have to say is "we've always been open".
Click to expand...
If I was Sony I'd add a condition to that - not like MS could really say no considering they've now adequately boxed themselves into a corner. For example:

'We always been open on cross network play, why aren't you as open and drop your indie parity clause?'

ps3ud0 8)
 
B

binarymelon

Member
Nosgotham said:
Don't see why not, Nintendo already allows this. Hope devs actually implement it. Imagine stuff like leaderboards but across all platforms!
Click to expand...

There wouldn't be a whole lot of crossover there anyway would there? Even 3rd party games on Nintendo consoles have been mostly exclusive haven't they?

Edit: Has Playstation been pressed to comment on this yet?
 
K

Kayant

Member
leeh said:
I'm thrilled to hear this news, but I'm skeptical. Very skeptical.

What gets me, is that with the Rocket League announcement, they say it's coming to Xbox One and PC later this spring with other platforms announced later. Although, as we all know, PC & PS4 is already supported. So what's going to happen there? Are they going to redact the PS4 cross-play?

snip
Click to expand...

I doubt PS4/PC with be disabled when crossplay for PC/XB1 comes in spring it will likely just be added to the pool for PC users to search against and XB1 users will get an option to disable cross play like PC/PS4 users have atm. On sony -

"We were prodding everyone all the time," Jeremy Dunham, the studio's vice president, told Mashable.

"Today is the first day that anyone outside of Psyonix and Microsoft is aware of this," he said. "So obviously Sony is still getting as much information as they can and understanding the situation before they can really talk about it."

Dunham &#8212; and the rest of Psyonix &#8212; remains optimistic. He spoke glowingly of how Sony's always been a "good partner." There are just questions that need to be answered.

"The main process is now we have to talk about it," Dunham said.

" More at linkWe have to discuss what [cross-platform play] means, what the implications are for PlayStation Network users and what the implications are in terms of the existing security protocols. Very similar to what happened with Microsoft and our long discussions with them."

Now, those discussions need to happen all over again, with Sony.

"We understand that Sony's got to evaluate everything that this means for them," Dunham said. "This is the first time in history that this is even a legitimate possibility for anybody. So we understand that it's going to take some discussion, but we're also really optimistic."
Click to expand...

So it makes sense they haven't said anything but given their openess so far to cross-play I don't see them saying no expect if there's some technical limitation or something on their side.
 
W

watdaeff4

Member
ps3ud0 said:
If I was Sony I'd add a condition to that - not like MS could really say no considering they've now adequately boxed themselves into a corner. For example:

'We always been open on cross network play, why aren't you as open and drop your indie parity clause?'

ps3ud0 8)
Click to expand...

They won't say that because, well, they are professionals and not childish.

The only time I can recall Sony being even remotely confrontational like that is during the initial PS4 marketing how how easy it was to let your friends play your games. (which was an awesome jab to the XB1)
 
smudge

smudge

Member
Not too keen on the language used in the announcement. Maybe I'm just cynical. Whenever the statement talks about PC games, it always says "Windows 10 with xbox live".
Does this mean it will only be supported on games in Windows 10 and not 8.1/7?
Does this mean that it will only be supported on games bought through the Windows 10 app store? Which they have also been talking about recently.

This all sounds a little too close to GfWL to me. Which was the last time they tried cross platform play iirc.
 
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