PlayStation has historically had a rocky relationship with crossplay for games, with Sony's flagship consoles often not featuring the ability for PlayStation users to play with their friends on other platforms. Previous releases have seen popular party games like Gang Beasts release without crossplay, and Epic Games even previously confirmed that the Fortnite developers were asked to pay compensation to Sony in order to allow the popular game to have crossplay on the PS4 and PS5. Among the most notable of these games was Borderlands 3 in a move that Gearbox Software is now looking to rectify.
The release of Borderlands 3 was met with critical acclaim following its highly-anticipated release in September 2019. The newest Borderlands game was the first entry in the popular looter shooter franchise in five years following Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. However, crossplay did not arrive to Borderlands 3 for multiple years following its release, with the game just adding crossplay last year and PlayStation consoles notably being excluded from the list. Now, with Borderlands spinoff Tiny Tina's Wonderlands confirmed to support crossplay at launch, Gearbox recently announced that Borderlands 3 will finally receive PlayStation crossplay support in the near future.
The announcement from publisher 2K Games comes just days after Tiny Tina's Wonderlands was confirmed to feature crossplay and marks a tonal shift from the situation with Borderlands 3 last year. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford reported last year that the developer was "required to remove crossplay support" for PlayStation consoles from Borderlands 3 last year. While 2K did not address the controversy or give an exact release date, the publisher did confirm that Borderlands 3 players on PlayStation would soon be able to team up with friends on other platforms.
The introduction of PlayStation crossplay to Borderlands 3 comes as Gearbox's focus has largely shifted to the upcoming Tiny Tina's Wonderlands with the game's release date now less than two weeks away. As an expansion on Borderlands 2's popular tabletop RPG-themed expansion, Assault on Dragon Keep, the game adds several new mechanics like spells and other abilities to the classic Borderlands formula while retaining the franchise's traditional looter shooter formula.
While Borderlands 3's time in the spotlight for Gearbox has come to an end, the game has continued to see frequent support from the developer. Alongside the slew of expansion packs that have become a standard for the franchise since the first Borderlands, Borderlands 3 also saw regular seasonal events throughout its lifespan rewarding players with new weapons, cosmetics, and plenty more for completing a variety of challenges. With Tiny Tina's Wonderlands on the horizon and many fans already looking to Borderlands 4, PlayStation crossplay should give fans on Sony platforms reason to return to Borderlands 3.
Borderlands 3 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: Eurogamer