Games
The console wars are about to kick off now that the multiplayer Berlin Wall is finally coming down.
This week, gaming hell froze over. Microsoft dropped the stunning news that it would be opening up the Xbox One to support cross-platform multiplayer with other platforms including PC and, without naming it directly, Sony’s rival PlayStation 4. This sudden act of rapprochement begins with smash hit Rocket League, which will now let Xbox One and PC gamers play together in matches, with “an open invitation for other networks to participate as well” (Hint hint Sony).
While it’s always been technically possible for multiplayer games to support PlayStation and Xbox gamers playing together, Microsoft has reportedly always been opposed to it in the past, choosing to keep Xbox Live as its own walled garden. Sony on the other hand has experimented with cross-platform play frequently in the past – Portal 2 allowed PS3 and PC gamers to team up in co-op mode, for instance.
But with the Xbox One still lagging far behind the PS4 in global sales, Microsoft is clearly keen to prevent any more lost sales just because a gamer’s mates are already on PlayStation Network. Cross-platform multiplayer support is good news for everyone, in other words. While it does promise an onslaught of eerily, annoyingly accurate PC gamers equipped with mice and keyboards slaughtering everyone else in first person shooters, it does also mean that Xbox One and PS4 gamers finally get to prove just who is best after years of trashtalk. These are the game we want to see them do it in.
Rocket League
We actually broke the news last year that the riotous Rocket League would be coming to Xbox One, and now that it’s here and Microsofties have had enough time to practice, it’s time to settle the console wars once and for all in the only way that’s right: by bashing a giant football around a pitch using rocket-propelled DeLoreans and hoping that it somehow ends up in the opponent’s goal and not your own.
Rocket League is fast turning into a compelling eSport, so the more top players are able to play against each other via cross-platform support, the better. There’s no word just yet if Sony will play ball and link up with Microsoft on this one, but Xbox One vs PC support is certainly a promising start.
Dark Souls 3
Dark Souls multiplayer is the best type of multiplayer in that you can, at a moment’s notice, wade into another player’s game and help them out with a difficult boss, or cut them to pieces just to ruin their day, making an already brutally hard game even more challenging. More players in the same pool to share tips in blood on the wall and come to each other’s aid will always be welcome, but what will make cross-platform priceless in this instance is that all the PlayStation players will have forgotten how to use their shields after battling their way through PS4 exclusive Bloodborne, meaning Xbox One gamers will be able to smite them with ease. At least, that’s what they’re saying. Fight!
Final Fantasy XIV
Here’s an interesting one: massively multiplayer online RPG Final Fantasy XIV is not actually available on Xbox One at the moment. The reason? Publisher Square Enix wanted everybody to play cross-platform across console and PC. Sony was down, Microsoft wasn’t. Which is odd when you consider that previous Final Fantasy MMO, FFXI, is the one game you can play cross-platform between Xbox and PlayStation (though in this case Xbox 360 and PS2/PS3).
There’s a change in the air, however. Xbox boss Phil Spencer has publicly stated he would love to bring the game to Xbox One, and in the years since launch, Square Enix has done a remarkable job turning the MMORPG around from a mere World of Warcraft knock off to its most compelling rival by far – questing AND chocobos, sign us up. In other words, we could see a port supporting cross-platform play down the line. While nothing’s been announced, we would not be in the slightest bit surprised to see Xbox One players suddenly start winding up on the same servers as everyone else, and soon, given Microsoft’s sudden desire for détente.
The Division
Play through just the first hour of The Division, and one thing becomes abundantly clear – this is a game that will be infinitely more fun with a group of friends. Unfortunately, if you’re anything like us, your friends are spread across Xbox One and PS4 because some of them only care about Uncharted, and others are long-time Halo nuts. That could have played havoc with your enjoyment of Ubisoft’s open-world shooter, but if cross-platform play becomes possible, it’ll bring down the one major barrier between you and your friends.
On paper, The Division could be the game that would benefit most from cross-platform play on this list. The game has received glowing reviews thus far, and chalked up very healthy sales numbers in the process. Combining the PS4 and Xbox One player bases would make The Division an altogether fuller and more rounded experience, letting us shoot and loot our way through New York the way Ubisoft always intended. Early exclusive DLC for Xbox One could be a spanner in the works, but where there’s a will there’s a way.
GTA V
It’s been two and a half years since GTA V finally landed in our homes, and one and a half since the next-gen version graced Xbox One and PS4. And you know what? People are still playing it! Think of all the huge multiplayer titles that have emerged since then – Destiny, Rocket League, Street Fighter V – yet GTA V soldiers on with a substantial player base of lunatics, drag racing, paragliding and heisting their way around Los Santos.
Like other multiplayer titles, there’s a natural barrier between friends who own either a PS4 or an Xbox One, and removing that barrier would bring plenty of people back to Los Santos. With the long-awaited single player DLC still yet to arrive, and surely some more multiplayer additions en route too, GTA V could be primed for a big second wind.
Destiny
Destiny’s a bit like Marmite: so far this console generation, nothing’s proved as divisive as Bungie’s open world, RPG-FPS, shoot ‘n’ loot-fest, and while some love its solid gunplay, enthralling raids and the chase of those legendary and exotic engrams, plenty hate it for many of those reasons too. Still, one thing that can be said is that its multiplayer activities are nothing short of captivating, and best displayed with its raids which see you and five other Guardians head down into the depths of game’s hardest levels, packed with tough battles and tricky puzzles that truly test your teamwork skills.
While Destiny is currently suffering from a bit of a dearth of new content, and some players are starting to explore similar titles (The Division, anyone?), bringing together both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One communities (along with their last-gen brethren) would make for a revitalised player-base. Of course, with PlayStation time-exclusive maps, strikes and weaponry currently tied up, it might not work out for everyone – but the potential has us excited. Pretty please, Bungie, Sony and Microsoft.
FIFA 17
It’s the age old excuse for a a FIFA loss: “I’m used to playing on an Xbox One/PS4 controller!” (delete as applicable). Well, you’re not going to have many excuses now, are you? Better get used to feeling salty about that drubbing.
Cross-platform play has one immediate, obvious benefit, and that’s a much larger pool of potential online players. Bringing together two large player bases should make it quicker and easier than ever before to find a match at your skill level. Plus, if you want to play online co-op game modes like Co-op Seasons with your mates – or indeed, give them a good old-fashioned one vs. one hiding – now it doesn’t matter which console you all own. That’ll certainly make it easier to pull together eleven like minded lads and lasses for FIFA Pro Clubs, too. Sure, there’s the small matter of Ultimate Team exclusives to worry about, but we’ll leave that to the big boys to argue about. Besides, who plays Ultimate Team anyway, right? It’s probably too late to expect this feature in FIFA 16, but here’s hoping we see it in the starting line-up for this year’s FIFA release.
Overwatch
Blizzard’s upcoming six on six shooter Overwatch looks to blend sharp FPS action with stylish team based gameplay, not unlike Team Fortress 2, but its cast of characters goes even deeper, and it’s drenched with plenty of different play styles you’d expect out of one of the company’s RTS or MOBA games. The game is on its way to PC, PS4 and Xbox One, and soon: if cross-platform play was enabled for all three platforms, the amount of competition to face off against would truly be incredible. Of course, console owners might lambast PC players with their ‘superior’ keyboard and mouse setups, which some might argue allow for quicker reactions and shots, but all we know is that the more people playing, the better the match-ups and the competition – and it’d let us play with our friends who refuse to grab the other console.
DiRT Rally
The next really sim from legendary British studio Codemasters is about to hit PS4 and Xbox One (it ships early April), and we can’t wait. While DiRT Rally is acclaimed by all who play it, its unusual journey – it began life as little more than a test demo on Steam Early Access – means its audience is likely a bit more niche than that for, say, the next Need For Speed. The more players to race, the better, we say. That and the fact that the team at Codemasters have shown an astonishing degree of commitment to players by updating it frequently on PC mean we reckon this is a prime candidate for cross-platform multiplayer support.
Titanfall 2
EA and Respawn Entertainment’s Titanfall shook up the FPS landscape back in 2014 when it hit the Xbox One, giving you fast and frantic shooter action along with hulking, giant robots to take on and do battle with, and we’re eagerly awaiting a sequel to take things to the next level. While the first game is exclusive to Xbox One, Respawn and EA have already stated that the next title in the series will be multi-platform, making it the perfect title to throw down cross-platform multiplayer. See you on the colonies, PS4 pilots.
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