Sony Still Holding Out On Making Minecraft Cross-Platform

Though Minecraft is owned by Microsoft it is a multi-platform game that can be played on the iPhone, Nintendo console and on Oculus Rift virtual reality headset among other devices. However, Sony still refuses to allow Minecraft on the PlayStation to be cross-platform. In post that appeared on the Minecraft website as preparations for unification of the Minecraft game on Windows 10, console and mobile got underway through a ‘Better Together’ update, it was indicated that Sony has held out so far.

“While we are thrilled to be able to confirm the new version of Minecraft is coming to Nintendo Switch, we are still in discussions with Sony about PlayStation and have nothing to confirm,” read the post on the Minecraft website.

Safety of minors

Previously Sony has said that the reason it can’t allow for cross-play is because it is unable to ensure its underage players are protected when they play with others outside the PlayStation network. Currently Sony’s PlayStation dominates the gaming console business. In the latest financial results for the quarter that ended on June 30, the number of PlayStation 4 consoles that have been sold so far has reached 63.3 million. The closest competitor, Microsoft’s Xbox One, has only managed half the sales. Despite the fact that Microsoft does not report the number of consoles it has sold, it is estimated that Xbox One has managed to move about 30 million units.

In the first year of existence of the Switch, Nintendo expects to sell about 10 million units. Sony, on the other hand, expects to sell about 18 million units of the PlayStation 4. Part of the reason why the PlayStation 4 is so popular is because of its low price relative to other consoles such as Xbox One. The PlayStation 4 console has also had several blockbuster games which were limited to its ecosystem.

Giant consequences

Sony’s holding out is coming just days before the second episode in Minecraft Story Mode’s second season premieres. The episode will be available on Android, iOS, Mac, PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The episode which is named ‘Giant Consequences’ will focus on Jesse the main character as he travels to the ‘icy unknown’. In the previous episode enemies with the ability and capacity to end whole cities were introduced. Using the Crowd Play feature of the game players will be assisted in making decisions by others in the course of the game’s narrative.