PS4 Gets Cross-Platform Play, Starting with Fortnite

Cross-platform play is finally coming to PS4.

In a post on the PlayStation Blog, Sony Interactive Entertainment President and Global CEO John Kodera announced that the company has “identified a path toward supporting cross-platform features for select third party content.” The first step in the initiative starts today, with an open beta launching to test cross-play on battle royale sensation Fortnite. The beta “will allow for cross platform gameplay, progression and commerce across PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Mac operating systems.”

Cross-platform support is something that the gaming community has wanted for years, but the cries became even louder when Fortnite was released on Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. Players on those systems could play with each other, as well as with players on PC, Mac OS, and mobile devices. Meanwhile, PS4 owners could play with PC, Mac OS, and mobile players, but not Xbox One and Switch users. The situation grew worse once players discovered that they were unable to use their Epic account on Switch if it had ever been used on PS4.

When previously pressed for an explanation for its reluctance to allow cross-platform play, Sony provided a series of non-answers. In June, during the Gamelab conference in Spain, SIE Worldwide Studios Chairman Shawn Layden said that Sony was “looking at a lot of the possibilities” for the feature, but didn’t provide any additional information. The most baffling comment on the topic came last month from from Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida, who basically defended PS4’s lack of cross-play by saying “PlayStation is the best place to play.”

While the news is great for Fortnite fans, PS4 owners are wondering if cross-platform support will expand to other existing titles, such as Rocket League. When asked about the possibility on Twitter, Psyonix VP of Publishing Jeremy Dunham had nothing specific to announce, and recommended that gamers ask Sony directly.