After many requests and much patience from the gaming community, Sony has decided to put aside its restricting policies and has allowed cross-platforming. This means that the PlayStation 4 with its competing consoles, the Xbox One from Microsoft, the Nintendo Switch, Windows, iOS and for mobile phones.

The first game to receive this feature will be the new phenomenon that has recently taken the gaming world by storm, the online video game Fortnite.

John Kodera, the president and global CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment said on PlayStation Blog, “The first step will be an open beta beginning today for Fortnite that will allow for cross platform gameplay, progression and commerce across PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Mac operating systems.”

At first cross-platforming was only available for gamers that played Fortnite on the Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows and iOS and mobile phones. Through an analysis of their business mechanics, Sony still plans to ensure that the PlayStation experience for its users remains intact today as it opens up its platform to other gamers with other consoles.

For 24 years, PlayStation has advertised that its console is for the players. The console has strived to provide a unique experience unlike any that from other consoles. But now, despite competition on the business side from the consoles, Sony now sees that cross-platforming is quickly becoming part of the future.

Kodera said, “Today, the communities around some games have evolved to the point where cross-platform experiences add significant value to players.”

So far, Sony’s decision to allow cross-platforming with other consoles has been well received by the gaming community.

Bethesda, one of the gaming studios that has pressured Sony to allow cross-platforming, has praised Sony for bringing cross-platforming to the PlayStation.

Also, gamers themselves have praised Sony’s new stance on cross-platforming, as they see it as a way to bring the gaming community closer together.

Kenechi MgBodile a member of the GHC gaming club, said, “I think pretty well of how PlayStation is opening their borders to other platforms, and I think it can help people who cannot afford the other consoles and it’s a way to bring the gaming community together.”

Sony also plans to bring cross-platforming to select third-party content in the near future.