Microsoft Wants PS4 and Xbox One to Connect Online

Microsoft has announced it will natively support cross-platform play between Xbox One, Windows 10, and other "online multiplayer networks." The move effectively opens the Xbox Live platform so that it can accommodate players on Sony's PlayStation Network, among others.

The announcement was made on Xbox.com by Chris Charla, director of ID@Xbox, who said "it's up to game developers to support this feature" and noted that players will "always have the option of choosing to play only with other Xbox Live players."

"In addition to natively supporting cross-platform play between Xbox One and Windows 10 games that use Xbox Live, we're enabling developers to support cross-network play as well," Charla explained.

"This means players on Xbox One and Windows 10 using Xbox Live will be able to play with players on different online multiplayer networks--including other consoles and PC networks."

The first game to support the functionality is Psyonix's Rocket League, which will allow Xbox One and PC players to matchmake against each other. Microsoft also extended "an open invitation for other networks to participate as well."

GameSpot has contacted Sony for a comment.

Rocket League supports cross-platform play between the PlayStation 4 and PC versions of the game. When the game launched on Xbox One, it did not contain any cross-platform functionality.

"The Xbox platform doesn't allow for cross-play matchmaking between other systems as a general practice across all titles," developer Psyonix said at the time.