Crossplay

Cross-platform play, the ability of players on different video game hardware, such as a console and a PC, or two different consoles, to play with each other at the same time. It was held back for years by business decisions as much as technology, because console online services are closed networks that need the platform holders' cooperation. Up through September 2018, Sony restricted PlayStation 4 cross-platform play with other consoles, splitting players of games like Rocket League and Fortnite. In September 2018 Sony changed its stance and opened a beta for Fortnite cross-platform play, and in October 2019 it said any developer could support it. Nintendo had already announced cross-platform play for Rocket League and Minecraft on Switch at E3 2017, and Minecraft's Bedrock edition unifies play across several platforms. A shared player pool makes matchmaking easier and lets friends play together without buying the same hardware. Because mouse-and-keyboard and controller players aim differently, some games match by input instead: Halo: The Master Chief Collection added Xbox and PC crossplay with input-based matchmaking in November 2020. Cross-save, where your progress carries over between platforms, is a related but separate feature.