Yoshida: Connecting Xbox Live and PSN could be easy technically

PlayStation Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida has said that the technical side of linking PlayStation Network and Xbox Live could be the easiest.

Speaking to Eurogamer at GDC, Yoshida reiterated what was said in Sony’s statement to GameSpot yesterday that it was in favour of supporting cross-platform play – and had been doing it since 2002’s Final Fantasy XI.

But the exec went on to say that connecting two closed console networks would be complicated, unlike connecting console to PC. However, Yoshida said that the technical side of things ‘could be the easiest’.

The implication, of course, is that the business side of things could hold up this union.

This follows ID@Xbox boss Chris Charla saying that Microsoft is letting developers support multiplayer across different console networks.

"Because PC is an open platform it’s much more straightforward," Yoshida said.

"Connecting two different closed networks is much more complicated so we have to work with developers and publishers to understand what it is they are trying to accomplish.

"We also have to look at the technical aspect – and the technical aspect could be the easiest. We also have to look at policy issues and business issues as well."