CD Projekt Red CEO Marcin Iwinski spoke with GI.biz, speaking in favor of Microsoft’s decision to allow for cross-network play.
In March Microsoft announced its cross-platform initiative that aims not only to link Xbox Live with PC but also “other console networks.” Microsoft explained that this is an option being offered to developers, who would have to code it into the games themselves, with the “ok” of the “other console networks.” Last month, ID@Xbox Europe boss Agostino Simonetta said that Microsoft is ready to move forward for “whoever wants to get on board.” Sony has not yet officially accepted the offer, saying only “We would be happy to have the conversation with any publishers or developers who are interested in cross platform play.”
In a recent interview with GI.biz, CD Projekt Red CEO Marcin Iwinski came out enthusiastically in favor of Microsoft’s decision to allow for cross-network play.
“If you look at Microsoft today and Microsoft ten years ago, it’s a very different company,” Iwinski said. “In the past it was very Microsoft-ish to lock down everything, to make sure they had full control. But Satya Nadella is saying, ‘put all of our apps on all systems.’ I think people should think about that, because if they did [what Sweeney suggests], in my personal opinion it will really backfire big time.”
“So let’s cut Microsoft some slack, and see if they will follow up in terms of what they are preaching about openness,” he continued. “In my opinion, it’s the only way to go for them, and the announcement about cross-play? Fuckin’ yeah. Cross-play with other networks? That’s not the Microsoft of ten years ago. No way.”
“And Sony is very fast coming back and saying, ‘Yes, yes, with us it’s okay.’ And that’s great. It’s not the battle of who can make a better ghetto any more, but who is better for the gamer. That’s what we’re after. It’s about opening up and competing on who has the better offer.”
CD Projekt Red is currently working on Cyberpunk 2077, which Iwinski recently said will be “more ambitious on every single front.”
