Fortnite: Battle Royale (PC, PS4, iOS & Xbox One) has been released on the Nintendo Switch. However, those who have linked their account with PS4 cannot play on the Switch. Many cannot understand this and are demanding an answer from Sony. And the pressure is mounting.
PlayStation players of Fortnite have a problem: They cannot play Fortnite on the Nintendo Switch. At least not with their existing account. When they try to log in with this account, they receive an error message. The only solution for them is to create a new account. However, that account is then “bare.” All skins and any progress in the Battle Pass are gone.
Sony stock falls by 2%
Those who want to keep their progress and skins as PlayStation players must forego the Switch. Once the account is registered for PS4, it is permanently bound, and even the developers at Epic cannot change that.
Stock price falls after controversy: The controversy following the decision has grown so large that it is affecting the stock price. Sony’s stock recently lost 2%. Observers consider this a consequence of the “Fortnite-Switch” affair (via CNBC).
Sony’s statement is: “We have nothing to say about this”
What does Sony say? Sony remained silent for a long time, even as the protests online grew louder. Now they have finally released a statement to the BBC on the matter.
However, instead of directly addressing the issue with Fortnite and the Switch, Sony points out that they have 80 million active users per month in the PlayStation Network. Sony also mentions that they offer crossplay for Fortnite with PC, Mac, as well as iOS and Android. They have nothing more to say on this matter.
In the eyes of many users, Sony would have been better off remaining completely silent.
Fans are getting angrier!
Meanwhile, the community is boiling with anger. Sony is being bombarded on Twitter and Reddit by angry fans with inquiries on the subject. Whenever Sony posts something, biting comments about the current situation follow.
Jim Sterling weighs in; Prominent figures like the sharp-witted YouTuber Jim Sterling have also gotten involved. He finds Sony’s approach “utterly absurd” and expresses this in various tweets. He wonders whether anyone at Sony has even heard of “this Fortnite” and understands how huge the game is…
PS4 fan is about to stop: Even hardcore PS4 fans like podcaster Greg Miller find the situation dreadful. Miller’s well-known podcast is called “PS, I Love You”, which speaks to his great love for Sony.
However, even this hardcore fan is slowly fed up with the corporate policies and has to admit he is gradually considering switching to Xbox.
Sony’s reputation could suffer
The initial silence and recently released statement from Sony on the issue are slowly harming Sony’s reputation in the eyes of many fans. So far, the company has managed to establish a strong position against Xbox with the PlayStation 4.
Sony’s recipe for success? Among other things, it was the liberal policy on game sharing. Back in 2013, Sony caused some laughter by humiliating Microsoft with a funny advertisement.
However, Microsoft has gained considerable sympathy in many eyes with its clear “yes” to crossplay and cross-progression. Meanwhile, Sony appears stuffy and arrogant with its refusal.
Will Sony soon cave in?
The situation will hardly be resolved by silence and inaction. It is quite possible that Sony’s anti-crossplay wall will soon collapse under the pressure of millions of Fortnite fans.
It seems hardly coincidental that the conflict has erupted over Fortnite but rather like a cruel irony of fate. The creators of Fortnite, Epic Games, are known as strong proponents of crossplay. They have repeatedly “accidentally” activated crossplay between Xbox One and PlayStation 4 players – only to deactivate it again each time.
