Sony Isn't Planning to Imitate Microsoft's Xbox and PC Unification Strategy

By Kushal Gautam

Microsoft's push to unite its Xbox One and PC audiences won't impact Sony's plans, according to Sony Interactive Entertainment president Andrew House.

Speaking during Sony's investor day, as reported by DualShockers, House was asked whether Microsoft's new unification strategy would instigate a similar shift in the PlayStation ecosystem.

"I always hesitate to be drawn into discussions on someone else's strategy," he said. "I'm more than happy to talk about our own strategy... Yes, there was a big emphasis from the folks at Microsoft on Xbox and PC cross-play. It remains to be seen wether there is latent large consumer demand for that.

"But we don't see it as really effecting or prompting any change in our thought process or strategy," he continued. "We have always tended to believe that a proprietary ecosystem offering a very well crafted unified client experience is the way to go, and that sort of remains our strategy."

A picture of Sony PS4

A picture of XBOX ONE

One of the ways Microsoft's vision of bringing together PC and Xbox One players has manifested is cross-platform multiplayer for Rocket League.Microsoft has invited Sony to also connect its audience. Sony hasn't shown much interest in doing so.

Another way Microsoft is bringing together the Xbox and PC audiences is through Xbox Play Anywhere, which allows games to be purchased once and then played across both platforms at no extra cost.