Blizzard Says it Will "Keep an Eye On" Console Cross-Platform Play for Overwatch

[ffronw]

Blizzard Says it Will "Keep an Eye On" Console Cross-Platform Play for Overwatch

//cdn.themis-media.com/media/global/images/library/deriv/1327/1327033.jpgBlizzard may be considering cross-platform play for Overwatch, but only on consoles.

If you've been playing Overwatch on PS4 or Xbox One, you could find yourself squaring off against players on the other console in the future. When asked on Twitter if there would ever be cross-platform play in their new shooter, Blizzard replied [https://twitter.com/PlayOverwatch/status/739162315463888897], "There is no cross platform play. We'll keep an eye on cross-platform possibilities on the consoles."

Of course, that response led to someone else inquiring about the possibility of console players taking on PC gamers, to which Blizzard balance the PC and console versions separately [https://twitter.com/PlayOverwatch/status/739167039663706112], and you can easily see why this won't happen.

Still, cross-platform play between consoles could be a boon for folks looking to expand their circle of competitive friends. It would also have the effect of allowing people to play on the console of their choice without having to buy a different machine just to play with their friends.

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[tzimize]

While it would be hilarious to stomp some console scrubs, the autoaim on Hanzo/Widow would piss me off too much. Let them play with themselves. *snicker*

 

[fix-the-spade]

It makes sense to keep PC and consoles separate. If they balance in the consoles favour it would kill the PC competitive scene Blizzard wants to cultivate (as happened to Titanfall even without cross platform play, or Shadowrun for those with long memories). If they leave the balance neutral it will automatically favour PC players.

A good Tracer PC player in a group of console gamers would wreak havoc, not sure that's fun for anyone.

On the other hand, here's hoping PS3/Xbone cross platform starts to become a regular thing, nobody loses in the scenario (except maybe the exec hoping people will buys both consoles for online play).

 

[Aeshi]

Could've sworn they said they'd be balancing the Console & PC versions separately, so I'm not sure how that'd actually work.

 

[SirSullymore]

Oh man, I really hope this shakes out, I would love to play with my Xbox owning buddies.

 

[Saelune]

*rolls eyes at the PC elitism that is immediate*

Wanted to think someones complaint that the Escapist is too full of that was mislead, but apparently not.

 

[Zetatrain]

Could definitely go a long way to keeping the console population of Overwatch alive and well.

A good Tracer PC player in a group of console gamers would wreak havoc, not sure that's fun for anyone.

A good PC tracer would be really annoying, but a good PC Genji would be almost unstoppable due to the fact he can go vertical a lot more than Tracer. Plus his aim is more precise at mid range.

 

[hermes]

One would argue how many people that comments here actually read the article.

Let me summarize: XB1+PS4 play "maybe"; XB1+PC or PS4+PC play "no". Even they understand the different controls would open a can of worms in terms of balancing characters.