The inclusion of multiplayer for the first time ever in one of Bethesda’s Fallout titles has opened the door to a great many opportunities for the studio; there are all manner of features which Bethesda has never experimented with which the studio now can. One feature which will reportedly not feature anytime soon, however, is cross-play. Todd Howard has previously expressed a desire to include the feature. However, Pete Hines has now clarified that isn’t on Bethesda’s radar.
Why There Won’t be Fallout 76 Cross-Play Anytime Soon
Cross-play is a feature which is often talked about, but rarely implemented. Allowing different online ecosystems; those on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and other platforms, to link together is not an impossible feat by any means. However, there is one major obstacle which has repeatedly stymied efforts to implement cross-play: Sony. As the largest and most successful console manufacturer, it has long been in Sony’s interest not to permit cross-play on the PlayStation. In a surprise move, Sony recently permitted cross-play for Fortnite Battle Royale. It remains to be seen if this represents a sea change for the company.
Todd Howard has said that he wanted to feature cross-play in Fallout 76, but that Sony refused to allow it. It seems that no progress has been made on this front. Pete Hines has now said that; “it is not on our radar right now as we focus on B.E.T.A. and Launch.”
Folks, chill. I work with a lot of devs and games for whom this is important going forward.
Fallout 76 does not support crossplay, for a number of reasons. I have no idea if it ever will. But I assure you it is not on our radar right now as we focus on B.E.T.A. and Launch.
— Pete Hines (@DCDeacon) September 26, 2018
If Sony really is willing to allow cross-play for other games going forward, then it certainly could be possible to implement cross-play to Fallout 76 post-launch. However, it seems that Bethesda has no immediate plans. Sony certainly has proven intractable in the past when it comes to this issue. Although they have now allowed it in the case of Fortnite, Fortnite is also one of the largest and most profitable games in the world. If there is any game to make an exception for, Fortnite is probably it. It could very well be the case that Sony has no plans to change its policy in other instances.