Cross-network play has been something gamers have aspired for ever since the rift in the console market was created; the resulting playful feud between Xbox users and Playstation users over which consoles were better (overseen, may I add, through the bemused eyes of the PC master race) did however split the gaming community. The online module of games was split between all three platforms resulting in smaller communities, though some AAA titles, such as the FIFA franchise, retain large communities on each platform.
Yesterday Microsoft announced that they’re finally implementing cross-network play between Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs, something that has been in development ever since the release of the latter. But there is an added bonus: they’ve invited other consoles to join them. While developers creating the games for Xbox One and Windows 10 will be able to support the feature, it will still require Sony and others to “participate” in order for games to be played across Xbox One and PlayStation 4 as well as PC.
Yes, a few months down the line it may be possible to boot up one of the Call of Duty games, hop onto an online match and play against people on their PCs, Xbox ones and Playstation 4s.
But you don’t need to wait that long to play against someone on a PC from your Xbox One, or vice versa, Rocket League will be one of the first titles to support the new cross-network play between Xbox One and PC (it already had cross-network play between PS4 and PC).
Currently, console gamers are restricted to playing titles on the PlayStation Network, Xbox Live network, Steam, Uplay, etc, and many pick the platform (and network) based on what their friends purchased.
Source: Xbox
