This is the largest pile of nonsense I have ever seen. First of all there are alot of things people do not know but can make reasonable assumptions from via extrapolating what is already present, historical context and of course words from company themselves.
The problem with people is that they often only take what they want away from some media. Sony did not just say " think of the children" was the only reason.
Here is what is being referenced
from eurogamer just for clarity
What proponents of cross-play would turn into and deride is "for the children" but totally ignore
and
If you were reading for comprehension, the takeaway should have been about business and control, not specifically about the children.
But if you want to paint everyone talking about the stance of company as clueless idiots, whatever floats your boat.
First off, an assumption is still just a guess.
You see people assuming things both ways in this very thread and only when it benefits their argument do people ask others to back themselves up with facts.
Problem is, you can play the guessing game all day long. But to what end? As a business owner I can tell you that having customers that take up arms for you and make excuses for your mishaps or choices without you having to do or say anything is probably one of the most enticing prospects to look forward to. Which is what you and others that are playing this guessing game are doing.
Secondly, yeah, I should have added think of the shareholders as well.
But unless you are a shareholder, why would you try to argue for them?
It's one thing to try to understand why businesses do things, but it's another thing entirely to argue against your best interests as a consumer with that knowledge. Especially since like I said before, you really don't know. Even if you are pretty sure. It would still be a gamble to make any kind of bet toward how a certain company would behave no matter how much of a sure thing you think it is unless you are one of the decision makers in said company.
Even if consumers want something that seems unprofitable for a company there is no reason that we shouldn't advocate for that thing.
This is the reason we have free servers on PC. Where it would be more profitable for companies to figure out a way to charge us like on consoles. If we used the same logic and say that it's more profitable for them so it's ok for them to charge because it's just a good business decision, then we wouldn't have it. Even though it's not a right.
Companies are willing to go out of their way to provide features for consumers if they see demand. But like I said, you don't know at what point that demand is enough for them.
Even if it bites them later. It's up to consumers to make things like this as standard as possible if we like it even when it might not be the most beneficial thing for whatever company isn't on top.
Thing is, Sony might not be on top forever, so eventually this may benefit them just as much as it would MS, Nintendo etc now and vice versa.
When looked at this way, this is actually a good thing for the industry as a whole and it would be better for it to happen now and participate in working out the kinks while you have a good footing rather than to wait till you are in dire straights to cave and everyone but you has their crap together.