Xbox sees 'Minecraft' players connecting on all platforms in the future
Imagine a gaming landscape where you could invite your friends on iOS, Oculus Rift and, yes, PlayStation 4 to come see the Minecraft world you've built on Xbox One.
Back in March, Microsoft took the first steps toward making that a reality by giving developers the freedom to program cross-network play into their games. While nothing that connects PlayStation and Xbox users has materialized yet, Xbox boss Phil Spencer is all in on making that happen.
"I think at Xbox previously, the leadership had made different decisions," he told Mashable following Microsoft's E3 2016 press conference. "But I want to embrace this thing; it's good for developers, it's good for gamers."
You May Also Like
Many hoped Rocket League would be the first to open that door. The game already allows PC players to face off against PlayStation and Xbox players, but Sony has yet to sign off on letting Psyonix bridge to two console communities.
"I'm actually not in the middle of those conversations. That would be between the developer and those other networks," Spencer said.
"We've built the capability into Xbox Live to go do it and I'd love to see other networks sign up."
"Having Minecraft customers connected on all platforms is going to be critical."
Enter Minecraft. Microsoft might not be in on conversations between Sony and other developers, but as the owner of Mojang's globally popular world-building game, unlocking that potential in Minecraft would, by definition, involve both companies.
Spencer wants to get there. That's the future for Minecraft. It hasn't happened yet, but there's at least a goal, if not a set-in-stone roadmap.
"Having Minecraft customers connected on all platforms is going to be critical," he said, pointing to the coming release of the "Minecraft Realms" service. At launch, it will let players create shared spaces for Gear VR, iOS and Android users to join in on.
"Realms is next year for console, it's not this year. So it's not front and center," Spencer said. "But absolutely, we're going to have to have the conversations with both Nintendo and Sony about what it means to keep the Minecraft community connected together, and I want to go do that."
He's careful to make it clear that, as much as the move would be about strengthening Minecraft, it's not a play to undermine the business of other platform holders. It's simply something that serves the audience, a feature that fans want.
"It's not about me moving Minecraft sales out of anybody else's story or trying to somehow take more than what I should as a game provider on a different platform," Spencer said.
"I want our Minecraft customers -- wherever they are -- to feel really in the Minecraft universe, like first-class citizens. And that will mean discussions with other platforms, absolutely."
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Adam Rosenberg is a Senior Games Reporter for Mashable, where he plays all the games. Every single one. From AAA blockbusters to indie darlings to mobile favorites and browser-based oddities, he consumes as much as he can, whenever he can.Adam brings more than a decade of experience working in the space to the Mashable Games team. He previously headed up all games coverage at Digital Trends, and prior to that was a long-time, full-time freelancer, writing for a diverse lineup of outlets that includes Rolling Stone, MTV, G4, Joystiq, IGN, Official Xbox Magazine, EGM, 1UP, UGO and others.Born and raised in the beautiful suburbs of New York, Adam has spent his life in and around the city. He's a New York University graduate with a double major in Journalism and Cinema Studios. He's also a certified audio engineer. Currently, Adam resides in Crown Heights with his dog and his partner's two cats. He's a lover of fine food, adorable animals, video games, all things geeky and shiny gadgets.
