Having followed this industry for around 15 years now, I seem to remember (please correct me if I'm wrong), that when the PS3 was around it was Microsoft stone walling cross play with the 360. I'm struggling to find the source of this info however, so I might be talking rubbish.
But if my memory does serve me right, this cross-play issue that is being presented to us is a mechanic used to frame a company as anti-consumer when the have the higher install base (which is a correct Judgement, lack of cross-play is anti-consumer). Microsoft are being just as strategic by pushing cross play as Sony are by not allowing it. The timing of this: Microsoft pushes it at the exact same point where someone can gloat about a superior console specification - over cross-play. Nintendo doesn't care, their fight was never with specification of their console, just gameplay, having more people to play with improves that.
If you need a good example, lets take Destiny. If cross play was enabled, I would absolutely be getting that on the X (or PC). I prefer the controls and it would probably be more stable. All my Destiny friends are on PS4 and there is no cross play. So you know I only have one choice.
Having said that, personally as consumer I am of course all for it! I would love them to sort out their differences and just compete one specs, gameplay and customer service. But it should be of no surprise that install base is also a point of competition. One that is always going to be protected by either side that has the majority lead.
I guess people are surprised because we thought new Sony were better than that. Doing things to delight and surprise its customers has been why a lot of us have been such enthusiastic supporters.
It's just a shame that I can't sit at home on my PS4 with Rocket League and play with my friend on his Switch.
Update: I found one source an article posted on Kotaku in 2011 about Defiance! Needed to know I'm not going crazy....
http://kotaku.com/5813740/i-saw-the-playstation-3-wired-to-play-against-an-xbox-360-but-you-wont
But if my memory does serve me right, this cross-play issue that is being presented to us is a mechanic used to frame a company as anti-consumer when the have the higher install base (which is a correct Judgement, lack of cross-play is anti-consumer). Microsoft are being just as strategic by pushing cross play as Sony are by not allowing it. The timing of this: Microsoft pushes it at the exact same point where someone can gloat about a superior console specification - over cross-play. Nintendo doesn't care, their fight was never with specification of their console, just gameplay, having more people to play with improves that.
If you need a good example, lets take Destiny. If cross play was enabled, I would absolutely be getting that on the X (or PC). I prefer the controls and it would probably be more stable. All my Destiny friends are on PS4 and there is no cross play. So you know I only have one choice.
Having said that, personally as consumer I am of course all for it! I would love them to sort out their differences and just compete one specs, gameplay and customer service. But it should be of no surprise that install base is also a point of competition. One that is always going to be protected by either side that has the majority lead.
I guess people are surprised because we thought new Sony were better than that. Doing things to delight and surprise its customers has been why a lot of us have been such enthusiastic supporters.
It's just a shame that I can't sit at home on my PS4 with Rocket League and play with my friend on his Switch.
Update: I found one source an article posted on Kotaku in 2011 about Defiance! Needed to know I'm not going crazy....
As cool as this sneak peek was, Trion can't let the finished Xbox 360 game connect to the PS3. "Microsoft won't let Sony players play against them," Rodberg said, before suggesting we change the topic to something less sensitive. Presumably the barrier is a corporate and/or technical incompatibility between the Xbox 360's Xbox Live and Sony's PS3/PSP PlayStation Network. Those services are separate enough that people who play, say, Call of Duty on one, can't play that game against owners of the other, rival console.
http://kotaku.com/5813740/i-saw-the-playstation-3-wired-to-play-against-an-xbox-360-but-you-wont