The newly released Nintendo Switch version of Minecraft is set to receive an update in the Fall that will bring the sandbox game’s various multiplayer modes into the fold with other gaming devices. The so-called “Better Together Update” will introduce Cross-Play to PC, VR, and Xbox One, as well as mobile (Android, iOS, Windows Phone) editions of the game under a singular Minecraft banner. During this week’s E3 event, Xbox head Phil Spencer detailed a bit more information about what the unified platform will bring, including the reveal that future versions of Minecraft require Xbox Live to access online features, the Nintendo Switch included. The Xboss likened the intended experience to a “gaming social network”.

We use Xbox Live as the way to make sure we know who our players are, controls around parental controls and other things that we put into our platform are there. And as you’re buying things in Minecraft, you want to make sure you have them available on other platforms, so we have to know who you are.If you have a realm that you’ve created on the PC and you want to get to it on the Switch, we have to have an identity system and we just use Xbox Live.”

As Nintendo’s new console has no achievement system to speak of, questions eventually shifted towards whether or not Switch users could earn Achievements while plugged in to Xbox Live’s network. Unfortunately, Spencer responded in the negative, but added that Microsoft would gladly implement them if asked by Nintendo.

This is a collaborative relationship between Nintendo and I; they don’t have Achievements on their platform. If they want us to, I would love to be able to do it… The relationship with Nintendo is incredibly strong. We obviously did the Mario mash-up pack into Minecraft; that doesn’t happen that often.”

Notably absent from the “Better Together” party, and seemingly cross-play in general, is the PlayStation 4 – an intentional exclusion on Sony’s part. This apparent apprehension of working within the boundaries of Xbox Live is a stance the Xboss doesn’t particularly find to be well-founded. What do you think? Are you excited to see cross-play become more prominent, or does it give PC players too much of an edge? Should Minecraft require Xbox Live to access multiplayer? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to follow DFTG on Twitter to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day!