Sony responds to Microsoft’s plea to let Xbox and PS4 gamers play together

The company appears to suggest that it is open-minded to teaming up, though not explicitly with Microsoft

Gamers test the new PlayStation TV consoles at the E3 event in Los Angeles (AFP)

Sony appears to have suggested that it could team up with Microsoft to finally allow Xbox and PlayStation 4 gamers to play together.

Microsoft said this week that it was extending an invite to owners of other platforms to allow them to play with Xbox gamers. The partnership would begin between PC and Xbox players, it said, though developers would have to build the functionality into their games.

Now Sony has responded to Microsoft’s call — which didn’t mention its rival explicitly, but made the PlayStation notable in its absence — and does not seem to be rejecting the idea. But the company also managed a small dig at Microsoft, arguing that it had made the same move years ago.

"PlayStation has been supporting cross-platform play between PC on several software titles starting with Final Fantasy 11 on PS2 and PC back in 2002," Sony told GameSpot. "We would be happy to have the conversation with any publishers or developers who are interested in cross platform play."

Microsoft’s plan for cross-network play will require both the owners of the networks and the developer of each game to integrate it into their products. It will initially be available in Rocket League and will allow people with PCs and Xboxes to play together, the company said, and more games are expected to be announced at E3 in June.