EA announced in a blog post that Need for Speed Heat will become their first game to have cross-platform multiplayer between PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The feature is included in an update releasing tomorrow, June 9th along with some other changes listed in the patch notes. This is will also be the final update for Need for Speed Heat, as the studio is fully transitioning into producing the next game in the series.
Matt Webster, General Manager of Criterion Games, describes the addition of cross-platform multiplayer as the “first checkpoint” in a long road ahead. He speaks for the studio when he says their goal is for players to enjoy the game with friends regardless of their platform. Since of course, “games are better with friends” as he put it. Granted that they have opted into the cross-play feature, players can find their friends via the EA Friends tab in the Party Menu. Criterion plans to continue developing the most “socially connected” multiplayer they for the next Need for Speed game.
The next installment will build off player feedback and expound upon favorites from the current game. Webster asks fans to check out EA PLAY Live on June 18 for updates on the series and Steam. Need for Speed Heat is still going until then, and recently released on Steam along with Need for Speed and Need for Speed Rivals. The game will also be available via the EA Access and Origin Access Basic Vault, allowing all subscribers to experience it for free. For more information, visit EA’s service updates page.