Xbox One games may offer cross-platform support to PlayStation 4 and other consoles

Rocket League
Rocket League (Image credit: Psyonix)

Microsoft has plans to give Xbox One developers some new tools to add to its games, and one of them could allow for cross-platform multiplayer with games made for other consoles, including Sony's PlayStation 4.

As part of its Game Developer Conference 2016 announcements, Microsoft's Chris Charla, the director of the ID@Xbox program, wrote:

"First, in addition to natively supporting cross-platform play between Xbox One and Windows 10 games that use Xbox Live, we're enabling developers to support cross-network play as well. This means players on Xbox One and Windows 10 using Xbox Live will be able to play with players on different online multiplayer networks – including other console and PC networks."Of course, it's up to game developers to support this feature, and Xbox Live players will always have the option of choosing to play only with other Xbox Live players. We're thrilled to confirm that Psyonix's Rocket League will be one of the first games to take advantage of this new capability by enabling cross-network play between Xbox One and PC players, with an open invitation for other networks to participate as well."

The official Rocket League website has also posted its own announcement on its plans for cross-platform support, stating:

"To say that the team here at Psyonix is both honored and excited to have Rocket League as the first cross-network game is a massive understatement. Cross-network play has been the number-one most requested feature our community has asked for since Rocket League was first announced on Xbox One, and now that we are able to pursue complete online unity on all platforms, today's announcement is a dream come true. Expect to see Rocket League cross-network play working on Xbox One and PC later this spring, with information regarding other platforms coming soon. We can't wait!"

John Callaham