While Microsoft already tried to sweeten Sony on the Minecraft crossplay deal before their E3 announcement, it was to no avail. They had already gotten Apple, Google, and Nintendo on board with the concept, but currently market leader Sony seemingly didn't want anything to do with it.
A new FAQ dealing with the “Better Together” update however informs us that Microsoft is still trying to win them over, stating: “While we are thrilled to be able to confirm the new version of Minecraft is coming to Nintendo Switch, we are still in discussions with Sony about PlayStation and have nothing to confirm. We would love to work with Sony to bring players on PlayStation 4 into this ecosystem as well.”
This isn't necessarily a new development, but the idea that Microsoft is still trying is encouraging. Maybe they'll cut some under the table deal where Sony gets a bigger taste of Minecraft sales? Who knows, I just hope it happens at some point.
Because then we can start talking Rocket Leaguefull crossplay across all platforms and so on. It would be a brave new world with giant playerbases and lengthy support cycles. Pretty much every developer I've spoken to over the past few years has wanted it, and so do the players.
The latest patch update for “Minecraft” on PlayStation 4 is now out. Update 1.55 offers plenty of fixes and changes, including a free Glide track for users. Reuters/Thomas PeterPlayStation 4 users get an update for “Minecraft” but the game is still not open to cross-play with other platforms.
Some of the fixes include removing the bugs affecting tasks like milking a cow, stacking crafted Banners and spawning Wheat, Ladders and Banners, as well as Monsters in the Woodland Mansions. The fixes also correct the unlocking of the Sniper Duel and Camouflage, as well as some displacements and colors.
The full list of the fixes was published on the Minecraft forum. It also outlined the general additions, including the free Glide track, which can be a big help to players' efficiency during the mini-games.
The updates will appear automatically once a player logs in to the PS4 console. In addition, players can also purchase the Biome Settlers 2 Skin Pack, which will work with update 1.55.
Meanwhile, Sony announced in June that updates for “Minecraft” on the PS4 will continue even as the company opted out of the cross-play service, which goes to beta this week via the Better Together Update. This cross-play service enables players of “Minecraft” on the Xbox, PC and mobile phones with Windows 10 to use their saved games on any of the platforms, except PlayStation 4.
“Minecraft” developer Mojang tried convincing Sony to join the cross-play for years but remained unsuccessful. The developer, however, recently announced securing Nintendo Switch's interest.
“While we are thrilled to be able to confirm the new version of Minecraft is coming to Nintendo Switch, we are still in discussions with Sony about PlayStation and have nothing to confirm,” Mojang stated on its official site. “We would love to work with Sony to bring players on PlayStation 4 into this ecosystem as well.”
During the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in June, Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe president Jim Ryan said their main reason for opposing and blocking cross-play for the PS4 is to be able to safeguard the kids playing on the platform.
“We've got to be mindful of our responsibility to our install base,” Ryan told Eurogamer. “Minecraft — the demographic playing that, you know as well as I do, it's all ages but it's also very young.”
Ryan added that the cross-play platform would not be able to protect the kids from external influences while playing “Minecraft.”
Minecraft is now available for beta-testing on both Windows 10 and Android platforms. Users will be able to play on this new cross-platform.
Microsoft had an announcement on their blog u to date according to which Minecraft will also be able to be played on Xbox One in the near future. Their blog update had the title: “Better Together” and talked about allowing all players to access and play Minecraft no matter the platforms they use.
The full update will be launched this fall after all the bugs have been “evicted”, but Switch won’t have a beta testing, though it will not be disregarded. New features for Minecraft players will also be added, such as stained glass and even parrots. Yes, parrots!
Players will also be able to access and play the old version worlds after the update and will be able to enjoy mini games that were on old console Minecraft editions.
Minecraft Won’t be Updated on the PlayStation 4
PlayStation 4 users will, however, be left out, since Sony doesn’t want the update for their consoles. The reason why Sony didn’t accept updating Minecraft is that they want to keep their users safe from other content than what’s to be found on their PlayStation Network. Microsoft had addressed this issue in their blog post, though.
Minecraft Will Keep Its Players Safe
They said that this update will allow players across all devices and platforms access the content and find friends alike in the multiplayer world of gaming. Minecraft will also be keeping the children safe, because Xbox Live provides parent control for all platforms and will let parents restrict and choose the content, adjust communication or settings regarding sharing content, making it a proper and family-friendly solution for gaming.
Microsoft added that a lot of parents are more preoccupied about their kids’ safety and prefer to have control over their accounts.
Perhaps one of the biggest surprise releases last year — one that took many people by that very same word/term and proved it was more than just riding the Minecraft bandwagon — was Dragon Quest Builders and from the looks of it, Square Enix have heeded the call and responded to the sizeable acclaim of one of the series’ perhaps [at first] odd spin-off titles.
During a recent multi-hour live-stream celebrating the series’ thirty-plus years, it was announced that the building-RPG hybrid would be getting a sequel. Dragon Quest Builders 2, though confirmed for PS4, will also be coming to Nintendo Switch. Some of the new elements introduced for the sequel include the ability to explore underwater as well as an entirely co-operative multiplayer aspect that was absent in the first game. So far there’s been no confirmed release date even for Japan — let alone any news on a Western localisation — but stay tuned as we learn more about what the sequel to this surprisingly entertaining spin-off has in store.
This past weekend held Square Enix’s Dragon Quest Festival in Tokyo, Japan. Amongst the numerous Dragon Quest related announcements and highlights, Square Enix took the opportunity to announce Dragon Quest Builders 2 for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.
Dragon Quest Builders 2 will deliver the same great exploratory and building gameplay the first game was known for. Additionally Square Enix is promising the upcoming sequel will include several new features such as sloping platforms, the ability to craft waterfalls, swimming underwater, air traversal thanks to a new glider item, and probably the most exciting new feature, online multiplayer with friends, a feature that was sorely absent in the original Dragon Quest Builders.
Square Enix briefly showed off a tiny glimpse at the multiplayer gameplay, the new multiplayer co-op mode in Dragon Quest Builders 2 will allow up to 4 players to play, fight and build together in the large and expansive Dragon Quest themed worlds. Those curious to see the game in action, can hop on to Square Enix Japan’s livestream archive footage available on YouTube.
The original Dragon Quest Builders first released in 2016 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita, the sequel will be the first time the series makes its mark on a Nintendo platform. Those unfamiliar with the original title, Dragon Quest Builders was Square Enix’s take on the ever popular Minecraft formula of game design.
The game featured voxel based environments similar to Minecraft, but what made the game really stand out was the Dragon Quest themed elements sprinkled throughout. Instead of facing off against generic skeletons or zombies, the game had dozens of classic and memorable Dragon Quest monsters, additionally the game featured a deep crafting system coupled a lengthy and engaging single player campaign.
No release date have been announced for Dragon Quest Builders 2 at this time.
The original Dragon Quest Builders did pretty well for itself. Even after its strong debut in Japan last year, the Dragon Quest-themed Minecraft knock off held its own in Japanese sales charts for a couple of weeks before vanishing. The game even got localized, where western fans were ready to play Minecraft yet again. Square Enix announced a sequel to the game over the weekend, aptly titled Dragon Quest Builders 2. As you might expect, the game's coming to the PlayStation 4, but instead of the PS3 and Vita also getting some attention in Japan, Square Enix is bringing the Nintendo Switch into the fold.
The stream took place yesterday and showed off some gameplay, from destroying rocks to build a waterfall and gliding with a cape in a fashion reminiscent of Super Mario World to some slightly more mundane tasks like clearing some flowers and weeds with your sword. The reveal also announced cooperative multiplayer, allowing you to actually build your Dragon Quest world together with a friend. The original Builders only allowed you to share plots, but Builders 2 takes that a step forward in allowing you and a friend to both be in the same world together.
There's no release date set for Dragon Quest Builders 2 yet, but we do know it's coming. Further information will be coming from Square Enix as the game's launch draws near, but Nintendo Switch fans can look forward to more Dragon Quest in the future.
