Tekken 7 won’t be the latest game to get cross-platform multiplayer, according to franchise producer Katsuhiro Harada, thanks to a combination of design decisions and platform policies Bandai Namco simply can’t overcome. And Harada would really appreciate it if Tekken fans dropped this particular line of questioning during the ongoing wait for Tekken 7.
Over the weekend, Harada used Twitter to shoot down an increasingly popular argument among fans of multi-platform competitive titles. If PS4, Xbox One and PC owners can play Rocket League together, they argue, why shouldn’t the same be true for other multiplayer games?
But, as is generally the case, the situation is a bit more complicated than outside observers realize. And releasing a game that allows PC and console players to join the same matchmaking pool isn’t as simple as checking a box on a form or asking Sony/Microsoft nicely.
As Harada notes, Rocket League ’s multiplayer relies on dedicated servers, giving Psyonix more control over matchmaking and incoming connections. Most popular fighting games, including the litany of titles that rely on GGPO for online play, use P2P connections because they allow for faster data transmission. Unfortunately, P2P connection are more strictly policed by first-party platform holders, including Sony and Microsoft. Neither of which has incentive to make it easier for members of their ecosystem to play with those outside it.
And with that matter addressed, the outspoken Tekken producer made it pretty clear he doesn’t want to keep answering the question.
Rocket League has game server. Fighting game = P2P network. The situation is different. Don't ask me again.
— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) March 5, 2017
RT @mikefizzled @mattdeeze
Tekken 7 is in development for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. The game debuts June 2.
Be sure to check back with iDigitalTimes and follow Scott on Twitter for more Tekken 7 news throughout 2017 and however long Bandai Namco supports Tekken 7 after launch.
