In addition to support for cross-platform play to allow Xbox One and Windows 10 PC owners to play together on Xbox Live, Microsoft is now announcing cross-network play support.
This is a big deal. The company has been hinting the concept to let gamers play with other gamers on other networks, besides Xbox Live, for years. Today, it’s a reality, and Xbox One and PC gamers will not only be able to play with each other but on the PlayStation Network too.
Developers creating games for Xbox One and Windows 10 now have the option to enable cross-network play support. However, it’s just the first step, in order for Xbox One gamers to play with PlayStation 4 players requires the participation of Sony and other participants.
Up until now, game console owners were restricted to play on one network depending on the console they own. If you own an Xbox One, then you can only access Xbox Live and, if you own a PS4, then you can only access the PlayStation Network.
The software giant also announced that Rocket League is among the game titles to include support for cross-network play. However, if other networks and game developers get onboard with Microsoft’s cross-network play support, then it’ll see more games and it will change the way we interact with games online.
Cross-network play will remove the restriction to play on one network, and it will allow customers to choose a game console based on what they like, instead on what their friends have purchased. But of course the restriction for exclusive games per platform will always be there.
Update, March 16, 2016: On an statement to GameStop, Sony responds to Microsoft’s invitation for cross-network play saying that it’s open to talk with Microsoft and developers to let PS4 gamers play against Xbox One gamers online.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].