Random ‘Fortnite’ Matchmaking Between Switch and Xbox, PS4 Not Supported Anymore (Correction)
“Fortnite” players on Switch and mobile will no longer be in the same matchmaking pools by default as players on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, the latest patch notes from Epic Games revealed on Tuesday.
Switch and mobile players’ will still be able to experience cross-platform play with all other platforms in the popular game, but matchmaking pools will include those playing on Switch with players on mobile, both iOS and Android devices, as the default setting. For Nintendo Switch players to join matches with those on PS4 or Xbox One they need to already be partied up or accept an invite.
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Epic Games intends for the change to result in a better play experience for mobile and Switch users.
“We expect an on-average better per-game experience for both mobile and Switch players,” the notes stated.
Some Switch players may have felt at a disadvantage stacked up against players on other consoles or PC. “Fortnite” on Switch is 30 FPS rather than 60 FPS that Xbox One and PS4 players experience. Some players have taken to Reddit in the past to complain about the disadvantage of playing in Battle Royale mode on Switch against other platforms.
Sony’s decision last year to finally give in and allow cross-play for “Fortnite” was a momentous one, as it seemed to signal an acknowledgment from arguably the last of the big three video game makers (Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft) still holding out on cross-play, despite indications that the industry was seeing a shift beyond the console wars.
While “Fortnite” paved the way for players to enjoy a game together, regardless of platform played on, its reach can’t overcome the realities of hardware limitations.
Correction: The original version of this article stated that cross-play on Switch would no longer be supported with Xbox One and PS4 which is not the case.
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