Tekken series overlord Katsuhiro Harada has championed the idea of cross-platform play between PlayStation 4 and Xbox One gamers.
Speaking with GameSpot during a recent Tekken 7 event in Sydney, Harada-san revealed that he’s been in talks with Microsoft and Sony in an attempt to see the competing platforms offer the chance for gamers to battle each other online. However, he noted that cross-play is being held back by security protocols and policies, rather than technical issues as most people assume.
PS4 vs Xbox One cross-play considered for Namco’s fighter
"Since Tekken has three platforms, to do [cross-play] is much more difficult because fighting games are peer-to-peer, which means you connected directly to your opponent," said Harada, via translator Michael Murray. "That means all the security protocols regarding PSN or Xbox Live, the user IDs and such, is quite difficult to match that–not technologically."
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"A lot of players, they don’t know the problems involved with this," he added "Many assume it’s a technical feature and if you overcome it you can do it."
"[But] until there is some kind of progress between the first-parties adapting their security policies and just policy in general regarding online, to allow that, it’s not going to be viable at this time," Harada continued. "It’s not to say that’s the case forever. But until they change their policies, there’s not a whole lot we can do."
Tekken 7 is due out on PS4, PC, and Xbox One on June 2, 2017. The game features a guest appearance by Street Fighter’s Akuma, and focuses on the long-running feud between the Mishima clan, which looks set to finally reach its conclusion. Bandai Namco Games has also spruced up the gameplay somewhat, offering new techniques in the shape of the Tail Spin and Rage Art attacks, while a new slow-mo effect comes into play during tense moments of each bout, increasing the fighting game’s cinematic qualities.
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