YES! YES YES YES!! The PS4 finally provides cross-platform support for my Fortnite family, so now I’ll have all my brothers and sisters with me! Woohoo!!
In a blog post, Sony revealed that they plan to start:
“open beta beginning today for Fortnite that will allow for cross-platform gameplay, progression, and commerce across PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Mac operating systems.”
This move opens up so much more for Fortnite players. I can speak from lots of experience – not being able to play with PS4 and XBOX players is very frustrating. There has been a massive evolution in Fortnite console gaming. Since around season 7, controllers were seen as a considerable disadvantage. But now, controller players have started catching up, and possibly even surpassing the majority of PC players. For god sakes, RazorX has some of the best builds in the game on a controller, so why not let him play with other console players?
Sony has always viewed cross-play as a lousy business model because, in their minds, it increases the competition their platform faces.
They mask this excuse by saying that they want their players to have a good experience on their “superior servers,” but it’s untrue. 2019 is the beginning of the so-called ‘age of the consumer,’ so people aren’t putting up with big corporations’ anti-consumer practices.
As with any update, there’s always controversy surrounding Epic’s or Sony’s moves with Fortnite. A vocal minority of competitive players argue against allowing controller players in tournaments. Due to the disadvantage that joysticks inherently have, aim assist is added to compensate. CobaltBluu says
“They reversed the skill gap and made it easier to play on console the pc which takes skill, and a lot of practice.”
Considering Epic’s aversion to a skill gap, this may be true. Fortnite has always been about connecting people, so it’s one more step in the right direction, regardless of how it affects pro play. Even a company as massive as Sony is starting to listen to consumers, which could also lead to others following in their footsteps. I’m unsure how this will affect the game competitively, but it’s undoubtedly an excellent move for the casual players regardless.
PUBG, Fortnite, Whatever-Game fanatic. Food evangelist. Internet ninja. Friendly communicator. Twitter fan. Zombie fanatic.
