Microsoft has announced that Xbox One and Windows 10 players on Xbox Live will be able to participate in online games against players on other PC or even console networks. The move potentially opens the door to cross-platforms online multiplayer between Xbox One and PlayStation 4 or another console.
Detailing the move in an update on the Xbox Wire, ID@Xbox head Chris Carla explained, “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.”
Psyonix’s Rocket League will be one of the first titles to make use of the new cross-platform feature, allowing for play between PC and Xbox One owners.
This signals a major shift in Microsoft’s stance on the issues of cross-platform play, with the company historically being opposed to the feature.
Later in the update, Carla also announced that MonoGame support will be added to Xbox One to allow Microsoft’s XNA programming framework to run on the platform. Carla confirmed that the Xbox One’s Game Preview program, announced last year at E3, will continue.
Finally, Carla noted that it will be a strong year for ID@Xbox titles, with games such as Cuphead, Below, INSIDE, SuperHot, We Happy Few, Worms WMD, and Pit People coming to the platform.
