The idea of cross-play (being able to play a single game across all gaming platforms) is something that Microsoft has been a big supporter of in recent years. So it comes as no surprise that Microsoft just announced at E3 2017 that it is implementing a cross-play feature for its hugely popular building-sim Minecraft across all available gaming platforms… except the Playstation 4. This particular decision by Sony has made the company the butt of all sorts of jokes on the internet over the past few days.
Eurogamer was able to ask Jim Ryan, head of Sony Playstation sales and marketing, about the company’s decision to block the cross-play feature for Minecraft between the Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. This is what he said:
“It’s certainly not a profound philosophical stance we have against this. We’ve done it in the past. We’re always open to conversations with any developer or publisher who wants to talk about it. Unfortunately, it’s a commercial discussion between ourselves and other stakeholders, and I’m not going to get into the detail of that on this particular instance.”
It seems that the decision had nothing to do with a “console war”, and everything to do with internal politics. There you have it. Who knows, though. His response ruled nothing out. Maybe we will see Sony greenlighting the cross-play feature in the near future.
… You can find Jordan on Twitter (@JordJJones), and Facebook.
Originally published June 14, 2017. Updated November 30, 2022.
