With the team-based shooter Overwatch on its way to Nintendo Switch, Blizzard has been asked once again if cross-play is on the cards, in hope heroes across all platforms can one day unite in-game. We heard in September how the company was still trying to determine if such a thing even made sense, and the question has now been raised again.
During an interview with GameSpot, Overwatch principal producer Wes Yanagi said the idea of cross-play was "definitely compelling" but that doesn't mean it'll be happening anytime soon. He went onto to reveal the "truth" – explaining how it was "more difficult" to implement than people realised. In saying this, the company is still looking into ways to make cross-play support happen.
We are exploring how to bring this to Overwatch, but do not have anything to share at this time.
Lead Producer Matthew Hawley previously said Blizzard's main focus in recent times has been to simply get Overwatch up and running on Nintendo's hybrid system:
Our focus really has been just trying to get Overwatch on the Nintendo Switch so we can have all new ways to play and welcome the Nintendo community into the Overwatch community.
Would you like to see cross-play added to Overwatch eventually? Leave a comment down below.
[source gamespot.com]
Comments 30
More difficult? One word...
Paladins.
I think it's more Xbox can use mouse and keyboard while PS4 and switch wont.
@LightyKD paladins runs at 60fps on everything though. I know Fortnite can do it, but maybe Overwatch has had to cut more corners than visually recognisable to run on Switch? I'm not a developer so I can't say and I'm guessing you aren't either.
It's like saying "we're trying to figure out how to make this car be fuel efficient and drive quite fast" to which you respond "Tesla" not taking into account the engine, interiors and construction process of each car
I believe him. I think there's a lot about video game development that most people don't know.
@607jf Keyboard works on Switch. I use it all the time whenever I need to type something in like the eShop or a game with in game chat like Fortnite or DCUO. Not sure if a mouse would work though.
I sense a pattern here. Features, cross play, and many other things are delayed or denied on switch because the devs constantly complain about how different the way switch games code and stuff. Almost every interview has a dev complaining about how much harder it is do develop switch stuff in comparison to other hardware.
I think it's due to the fact that the game has been out for so long and they never considered it until just now, when people just started asking about it. Had crossplay been brought up in 2016-17 I think they might've had it going by now.
They will figure it out, if they dont know how to make it work maybe hire some that has experience in this area.
I get why it's difficult. It's not a matter of then being able to do it, it's of it would make sense. Depending on your platform there would be clear advantages to PC, as well as Switch would run at 30 fps and other consoles would have an advantage at 60... With it being a competitive game as well, balance is a big factor
@Coach_A You're right in the fact that it's probably not as easy. That said, they could go the Fortnite route and only allow cross platform play amongst friends and people that got out their way to invite each other. Everyone else in random matches are paired only with Switch players. In this way, those who go out of their way to play cross platform accept the caveat of differing frame rates and input types. It's a compromise we can all live with.
How is it difficult? Just turn the Cross-play switch from off to on.
These devs are bums!! Just give it to Panic Button and they will have it working the next day!!!!!!
Even Call of Duty Modern Warfare have cross-play, and Destiny 2 might get it too.
Destiny 2 already have cross-save between PC, Xbox One and PS4.
“More difficult”
=
Requires a small investment.
You DON'T want crossplay. Trust me.
The community is TOXIC AF and the moment you're matched with PC players you're toast. People are pushing 200 FPS on their high end machines and invest in gaming gear like ultra light mice... playing on Switch against any PC player will feel like fighting a fighter jet with sticks and stones.
Beware.
The only way it would work (as in everyone is playing on equal footing) is a universal resolution,frame rate,draw distance and everyone is using keyboard and mouse without that people with lower spec hardware are going to be at a big disadvantage
I don't care about cross play. Switch will have a big enough playerbase. It's cross progression that is needed.
I’ll be honest, this is a dealbreaker for me. I have a couple of PC gamer friends who are into overwatch who I’d like to play with. At the moment it’s a no, but if crossplay is added then I’m in for sure.
I could play on PC but I spend all day at a PC for work, I want to be as far away from them as possible in the evening!
Edit: Just read comments. Can see the disadvantage Switch players would have but we could always have an option to turn off crossplay, and PC players could opt to avoid Switch players if they want. Personally, I love being the underdog.
@Scollurio all of this is true.
The experience will be awfull with PC and Xbox players just Deleting Switch players on 30FPS machines without the massive advantage of mouse and keyboard...leave the playing field level, Switch vs Switch players only please. We will have enough issues with synergy and janky comms.
@Peterjr1 This! I have so much stuff unlocked on One with over 300 hours as Mercy lol
@Peterjr1 Thats all I want. I got silver accounts on both PC and PS4. I would buy Overwatch again for Switch but starting over with none of levels/stuff sounds awful.
@Shade_Koopa not in games though, prime example is Minecraft.
If I learned anything over the internet than it is that "more difficult than people realise" pretty much always applies.
There are a lot of people everywhere that think everything is super easy to do, even though they do not know anything about the work that is needed. Here on Nintendolife as well.
Always ending up with some kind of "the developers are lazy" conclusion or a "just do it like this" as if all the developers were stupid or something.
And all of that in an industry, where we heard about developers having to work crazy amounts of extra hours multiple times.
I can live without cross play.
The thing I'm more disappointed with is having to pick and choose which games to buy in October/November!
@Kirgo I'm with ya. I can't imagine this thread is a bunch of programmers.
They went out of their way to bring this to Switch, but they're just that bit lazy not to include crossplay?
@Scollurio is right, the community on PC is intense. Everybody wants to be the next esport recruit on competitive mode. Quick play mode is some better.
I'm getting it with the mindset that it's going to be a casual account for when I'm not at the PC. Not trying to invest in skins or any of that.
@BlueKnight07 Well said, better not invest a single dime into the Switch version, even if you enjoy it and only play this version. That said, I still think it's a good fit for the system, I just hope it's NOT going to get crossplay.
@Glitchling78 I see what you say and if it's optional crossplay sure. But really, you're not going to be the underdog, you'll be the victim.
@Kirgo All of what you said PLUS don't forget the business side of things. At the end of the day the question is: Will my game make more money if it has feature X, Y or Z? No? Then why bother implementing it. I figure that most people on Switch don't even know what crossplay is yet alone care for it.
Read "Blizzard unwilling to make Switch version Cross-Play"
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