Cross-platform play seemed like a fantasy, now it's the norm and I'm conflicted

I used to think cross-platform play was just a marketing pipe dream. Back in 2015, I remember arguing with friends that Sony and Microsoft would never let their players mix because of exclusives and money. Then Rocket League did it in 2016 and it actually worked smooth on my PS4 against Xbox players. That changed my mind fast, but now I wonder if it killed some of the community feel. Like on Fortnite, I can play with my nephew on his Switch, but we get destroyed by PC players with better aim. Has anyone else found that cross-play made lobbies sweatier or less fun, or do you think it's worth it for staying connected?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_sam2d ago

Getting wrecked by mouse and keyboard" - I mean, is it really that bad though? @joelthomas, I get the frustration but we act like every PC player is some esports god or something. Plenty of them are just as bad as console players, they just have a different controller. Plus I've seen console kids on Fortnite absolutely destroy PC lobbies with building mechanics alone. The whole sweatier lobbies thing feels overblown to me honestly. Maybe it's just confirmation bias when we get smoked by someone on PC we assume it's the input, not the skill gap.

joelthomas2d ago

That's a real trade-off, hate seeing console players get wrecked by mouse and keyboard.

the_robert2d ago

I was playing Fortnite last night on my Series S and got lasered from across the map by a guy with a sniper. My first thought was "oh great another PC sweat," but @the_sam has a point. I checked his account after the match and the dude was on a literal last gen Xbox with a stock controller, just a better player. The confirmation bias is real. People blame the platform instead of admitting they got outplayed half the time. PC players have advantages at the top level but in most lobbies it barely matters. I actually think cross-play has made the game better overall because I can queue with my brother on his PlayStation without buying a second console.