Fallout 76 Cross-Play Isn't Happening, Even After Sony Starts Allowing It On PS4

Sony made the big-time announcement recently that it will finally allow cross-play between PlayStation 4 and competing consoles like Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. Cross-play support is currently live, but only for one game: Fortnite.

In its statement announcing cross-play, Sony said cross-play support for Fortnite is just the start of the company's wider plans. This has led to discussion and speculation about what other games may support cross-play. Bethesda's Fallout 76 won't be one of them.

"Folks, chill," Bethesda marketing boss Pete Hines said on Twitter. "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."

Bethesda has been saying for a long time now that Fallout 76 will not support cross-play. However, after Sony made its announcement, Hines tweeted, "Well done, Sony," using the clapping hands emoji. Some fans saw this an indication of hope that Fallout 76 will support cross-play, but it won't, at least not right away.

Unlike previous entries in the Fallout series, Fallout 76 is an always-online, multiplayer-focused game. A beta for the game kicks off in October, first on Xbox One. The full game launches on November 14 for Xbox One, PS4, and PC.

As for Sony's big cross-play announcement, the company said it recognises that cross-play adds "significant value" for players. As such, it decided, after a "comprehensive evaluation process," that it would allow cross-play for select third-party games, beginning with Fortnite.