I know to implement PC cross play with PS there is no upfront cost to pay to the console maker. I've worked with several developers over the years who have had cross play games, and they never paid. That's why I'm asking if there is some quote that says there is a cost for console cross play, because I hadn't heard of it, but I saw a couple people mention it. Or is it just yet another assumption that people make up to try and paint Sony as worse. Surely, if it's true, there was a quote, because that was never a thing before last week that I recall.

The servers themselves you pay for regardless. It's not like it cost more to have them for cross play, but the developer has to maintain their own matchmaking service for cross play. This is true with console or PC, and it's going to be across the board. It won't cost extra to maintain it with PS4/PC than it would to have other consoles/PC. Licensing fees cover any console provided matchmaking, and you can pay upfront for a specified period of time, or pay yearly.

I'm not defending Sony, I'm asking you to back up your claims....something you haven't done. If you know there is a charge for implementing cross play, I expect you to provide me proof, because my own experience is completely different. But I have no experience on doing cross console play, so it may be different.

The cost of servers is moot, because it's a cost that comes anyways, so why bother trying to say it just costs more because it's on the PS4? If they're willing to pay it for the other consoles, I don't see why it's a problem for PS/PC.

There is a fee, plus costs in services and maintenance. I know this for a fact because I've worked with several developers in the past that had the same issue.

The "larger install" base is also a weak excuse anyways because it doesn't gaurantee any game that's successful. Even if that buzzword likes to be thrown around often it makes more sense for a smaller dev to have their game on as many platforms as possible.

Now why would a smaller dev that does not have the funds or income want to now pay more for PC/PS4 crossplay?

"I'm not defending Sony, I'm asking you to back up your claims....something you haven't done"

Lmao, you haven't provided on shred of evidence yourself. The only facts here is that this developer along with others are claiming that once again the crossplay hold up is due to Sony. But instead of acknowledging this you are now talking about some other work around that wouldn't be feasible for this company, then you mention some double standard against Sony, then you mention how people are making Sony look like the bad guy, you're doing a great job doing just that defending Sony.

"But I have no experience on doing cross console play, so it may be different."

So basically you have no knowledge and yet you keep insisting there's no cost for PC/PS4 crossplay. Again, why would you want to require a smaller dev to have to maintain, work on or spend extra time maintaining separate servers for their small game?

The solution instead of defending and making excuses for Sony would be to just let Sony to allow crossplay with all platforms, like Nintendo and MS has allowed this dev.

Wow. You're suddenly someone who works with developers? Good to know. First time you ever mentioned such a thing, and never once have you ever seemed like you had a clue about what goes on on the back end of production, but sure, lets assume I believe you.

Sony charges a fee if you have a MP game. There is no additional fee for cross play with PC, so I'm wondering where the idea came from that there is a fee if it's with other consoles, by which I assume you mean an additional fee. Did you work with other devs in the past year since they started allowing it, one of the 2-3 that now offer it, and they had to pay an extra fee?

Maintenance doesn't seem to be a problem where they're offering it on the other consoles, and it wouldn't cost them any more, or much more to have it with PS/PC either. In fact, it's probably cheaper to not maintain two separate versions of their matchmaking services on their own servers, because if they're using Sony servers to matchmake, Sony does charge for that like all the other services.

I'm not saying they should take it away from the other consoles, just that there isn't any significant cost involved in having it be cross play with PC/PS as well. The whole fees argument is even less relevant than the install base argument, but Sony does have a strong online community along with MS, and Switch doesn't. PC would be shared, so it's going to have the same number involved either way.

"Now why would a smaller dev that does not have the funds or income want to now pay more for PC/PS4 crossplay?"

Dunno, but they are providing it on other consoles, so I guess the cost isn't really that exorbitant. You do realize MS and Nintendo aren't providing these cross play services for free right? They both charge for MP compliance testing and acceptance. And you do know that neither MS or Nintendo have cross play API's, and the devs have to implement and maintain their own solution right? If money is the issue, and they're so strapped for cash, then I feel that again, you're exaggerating the cost to implement this across the board.

"Why forgive Sony and defend them when they are being completely unreasonable?"

You've yet to provide evidence that Sony is in any way being unreasonable, or even requiring an extra fee for console cross play.

They may very well require that, I haven't talked to any dev that has mentioned any fee for it though, and I don't regularly review the various licensing requirements for putting a game on PS. But, you seem to believe that it's true, and I saw someone else mention it, so I was wondering where this idea came from.

If you have a source, beyond your, "My uncle works for a dev" that came out of nowhere based on your comment history and general lack of knowledge of development, licensing, and the back end of the business, then please provide it, and I'll accept what you say. I was thinking it was a published source which is why I asked.

I'm fine if you want to accuse Sony of charging for console cross play, but I have a feeling you're either making shit up, or equating something to something unrelated.