The first EA game to feature cross-play support across every major platform is going to be Need for Speed Heat. Criterion Games general manager Matt Webster revealed the news today in a blog post.
The update carrying the feature will hit PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 on June 9, and it will also be the final update to hit the racing game that launched in November last year.
When launching Need for Speed Heat following tomorrow"s update, a prompt will ask players if they want to opt into cross-play with other platforms, an option that will also be available in the game"s privacy settings. The EA Friends tab can be used to invite friends from other platforms and even make racing parties together.
As previously announced, Criterion is back in the driving seat of the Need for Speed franchise, and is currently working on the next entry. "Since the launch of Need for Speed Heat and as players continue to tear it up in Palm City, we’re listening to what you love about this experience, and what you all believe could be even better," Webster added. "With these insights, we have a terrific foundation to create the most expressive, most socially connected, action-packed game yet for Need for Speed fans and beyond."
Moreover, Need for Speed Heat will be joining the Origin Access Basic and EA Access subscription programs on June 16, which should inject a healthy amount of new racers into Palm City. The game also released on Steam last week alongside Need for Speed (2015) and Rivals entries.
As expected, more Need for Speed and Steam announcements from EA are planned to arrive during the EA Play Live event on June 18.