| EricHiggin said: I typically only buy one console, which is normal for many casuals. If the next XB is what it should be, and nothing like the XB1 was, and has strong first party support, there is pretty much a 50/50 chance I buy it instead of a PS5, if the PS5 has cross play that is. If the PS5 doesn't have cross play, unless PS screws it up royally, odds are higher I will buy the PS5. Why? If I can play with my friends who decide to get a PS5 (which some almost definitely won't if PS5 cross play is enabled and will go back to XB), and the consoles and games are similar in many ways, or XB seems like the much better deal overall, then what's the major selling point of the PS5? If the PS5 is a closed system and I have to buy it to play with my friends who own a PS5, well then that's considerable leverage to get me to buy the PS5 one way or another, even if I decide to buy an XB first. While this scenario can play out in many ways, like for example you could say, PS has more stronger first party exclusives and XB can't compete, which would be true right now, but based on the moves and acquisitions MS has been making, that gap could close significantly next gen, and who's to say that trend doesn't continue and MS takes that entire advantage away from PS? MS is rich beyond rich. If PS officially opens the cross play doors, it's basically impossible for them to close them again, and they lose that leverage forever. If I buy the XB (first), then you can bet it's because I plan to buy and play it's exclusives and third party titles on it, and the PS5 would only be for it's first party titles. Now multiply this by how many casuals buy consoles, and you can easily see just one major problem this could cause for PS. Just think about all of the leverage they have to get exclusivity and preferential third party treatment on their platform, which leads to a tonne of money being made off those games for PS, which it can pocket or use in many ways to strengthen and grow it's own platform. Cross play may be a good idea for certain devs and pubs, but for others, and the hardware suppliers especially, it would be a hassle and a risky move. If PS ever allows it, you can bet it comes with a steep cost. I wouldn't put it past PS to offer cross play with PS5 just for PR, but charge so much for it that very very few can afford it. That way they can say we've given you the option. If free to play games behind a paywall, etc, is worthy of sweeping under the table, then so is overpriced cross play. |
I am curious to why you would think Cross Play will be overpriced? Its a free feature this gen and last gen. I dont think Sony will go down that path next gen.
I cant see why Cross Play is an issue for Devs and Pubs. They probably want to link there games up to support bigger communities and increasing there life span of there games.
I agree that once you open the door its very hard to close. Probably why Sony is getting alot of flak for it these days, they heavily supported it last gen. They even claimed they supported cross play this gen with Rocket League. There quick to turn down Minecraft and now Fortnite which seems to contradict what they claimed in the past.
Anyway im not taking sides here but as some like me who has a brother and sister who all own different systems, it kills me hearing one doesnt want to participate for reasons only for greed. Which it is a buisness afterall. In cases like this its best to just stay quiet rather than claim market superiority.
