'Overwatch' news: Facebook integration now a go, but will players ever see a cross-platform play between consoles and PCs?
Will "Overwatch" players who use different platforms soon be able to play each other? The developer of this highly charged multiplayer first-person shooter game zeroed in on this.
Over the weekend, a Twitter user fielded that question to the "Overwatch" Twitter account, and it was quick to answer that while the idea of a cross-platform play is something the developers are not entertaining as of yet, they are definitely keeping an eye on the possibilities. Check out the Twitter exchange below.
As GameSpot reported, aside from "Overwatch," no other game supports cross-platform play specifically between Xbox One and PlayStation 4 (PS4) versions. Nevertheless, while there is no assurance that Blizzard Entertainment, developer of "Overwatch," would capitalize on said feature, it could be something they would consider working on.
What's certain is that Blizzard won't support cross-platform play between console and PC users. That was made clear when the "Overwatch" Twitter administrator tweeted this response to the same user when it asked if they would ever support console-PC cross-platform play.
The response underscored the earlier statement made by "Overwatch's" senior designer Jeremy Craig at the BlizzCon 2015. Craig said, "It's really difficult."
"From a gameplay standpoint, mouse and keyboard have a little bit of an advantage in terms of being able to spin really quickly. And our game is pretty fast-paced. It just felt like there was a little bit too much of an advantage," he added.
Thus, it remains to be seen whether "Overwatch," as well as other games, would ever explore the PS4-Xbox One cross-play option.
In the meantime, what's certain is the integration of Facebook login and live video into "Overwatch."
Venturebeat reported that Blizzard and Facebook have teamed up to allow gamers to weave their Facebook profiles into the PC and console versions of the popular video game. Moreover, social networking services will likewise be integrated. Gamers who use Battle.net to play their favorite games would enjoy the said features, too.
This is a win-win situation for both Blizzard and Facebook, as Blizzard would have an easier time verifying a player's "real-world" identity and sharing gameplay through a massively social platform. On the part of Facebook, the deal with Blizzard serves as a form of "authentication," what with the Electronic Entertainment Expo about to commence in Los Angeles.
