With the advent of online gaming, cross compatibility between PC and console has become something of a must-have feature for new titles.
For decades if you wanted to jump into multiplayer matches with friends, you all needed to have the same console. In most cases, friends were tied into a common platform with PC gamers playing with other PC gamers, Xbox owners playing exclusively with fellow Xbox owners, and so on. Until recent years, this meant if you owned a different console or had a PC, you couldn’t play with some of your friends. Thankfully, crossplay is becoming an increasingly standard feature on our favourite games, so we’ve put together this guide. We’ll be covering what crossplay is, a little of its history, and linking to every blog where we’ve talked about games that support this feature. Bookmark this bad boy, it’s going to be your one-stop-shop for all things crossplay.
What is Crossplay?
Crossplay, or cross-platform, compatible games allow users to battle, explore, and adventure together no matter their platform of choice. For example, Destiny 2 crossplay enables users from PC, Xbox, and PlayStation to battle alongside their fellow Guardians regardless of their system of choice.
This feature has been long-awaited for most gamers, and as more titles begin to add crossplay, the gaming community is starting to become united. Cross-platform support is particularly prevalent in free-to-play games, with some of the most prominent titles such as Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone all adding crossplay support.
For lots of us, gaming is not just a hobby, but also a way to socialise and pass time virtually with friends whilst making new ones. This is where crossplay comes in, making joint gaming evenings in front of the computer or console more accessible than ever.
Crossplay not only allows us to play with friends from different platforms, but it truly benefits all players online. The amalgamation of different platforms all playing together promises a higher number of players in lobbies. Away with the days of half-full servers and slow matchmaking!
Crossplay vs Cross-Gen – Is There a Difference?
Cross-gen allows you to play across generations of the same console. For example, a cross-gen enabled game will allow PlayStation 5 and 4 gamers to play online together but would not support play with an Xbox or PC.
Cross-Progression & Cross-Commerce
Plenty of titles are now implementing cross-platform play, including Battlefield 2042. However, last-gen consoles will only be able to use crossplay among each other, while players on the PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X / S can move into the battlefield side by side.
For the latest entry into the Battlefield franchise, Dice have also added cross-platform progress and activations, known as cross-progression. Therefore, players can switch smoothly from the PlayStation to the PC or Xbox version without losing all their progress.
Cross-commerce is a new feature for Battlefield 2042 that lets you carry all your purchases over to any other platform, too. Whilst you’ll still need to purchase the game on other platforms, all your DLC and other bought items will be shared across at no extra cost.
The History of Crossplay
Games with cross-platform play have been around longer than you may realise. Going all the way back to the turn of the millennium, id software allowed PC players of Quake 3 Arena to connect online with owners of the Sega Dreamcast.
Sega and the PC weren’t the only ones enjoying crossplay, with classic and fan favourite Need for Speed: Underground implementing the feature in 2003! NFS Underground allowed PC and PlayStation 2 players to race against each other. Obviously, we all ran in the Skyline GTR, the truly superior car.
Eight years later, Valve upped the ante with the puzzler masterpiece and huge hit Portal 2. Buyers of the PlayStation 3 version not only got to solve physics puzzles with PC gamers but could redeem the PC version of the game for free and were able to transfer their console saves to Steam.
Jumping ahead to more recent years, one title, in particular, is considered the gold standard for this feature. Due to its immense popularity Fortnite, a free crossplay game, has taken cross-platform play to an entirely new level.
Fortnite has broken plenty of records in the number of players and streamers since the release of the free Battle Royal in September of 2017. The game is still one of the world’s most popular multiplayer titles to this day. Epic enabled crossplay in Fortnite for users of PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X / S, Nintendo Switch, PC, and even the mobile version of the game. This multi-platform crossplay support likely helped the game thrive with fast matchmaking and full servers.
Is PC vs Console crossplay fair?
Crossplay has always been a controversial topic. Whilst the feature allows friends to game together even with separate systems, there is the question of whether some players have an advantage. For example, PC players being able to use a mouse to aim can assist in FPS games.
Games, such as Fortnite, try to ensure all players have the same chance via a skill-based matchmaking system, in which players are not connected on the basis of their input, but rather their skills in the game. However, particularly competitive FPS titles have some profound differences between platforms that cannot easily be compensated for. For example, Call of Duty: Warzone.
Higher frame rates on PC
On last generation consoles, Warzone runs with a maximum of 60 FPS. Modern gaming PCs with a 144Hz or 240Hz monitor provide a stark difference to consoles, with a significantly smoother gaming experience. 120Hz is possible on current-gen consoles, however, PCs offer higher resolutions ensuring a sharper image and, thus, better visibility of small objects such as far off enemy players.
One more advantage PC players can receive is an increased field of view. In Warzone, console gamers FOV is set to 80° and cannot be adjusted, whereas, on the PC, gamers can choose the value dynamically from 60° to 120°. This allows PC gamers to see significantly more information on their monitor and spot players console users would not.
NVIDIA Game Filters
Owners of NVIDIA graphics cards also can overlay filters with the touch of a button in-game. These filters drastically change the look of a game to benefit the player. For example, shadows, contrast, brightness, and sharpening can all be altered. This ensures significantly better visibility of enemies and objectives at greater distances.
Console Aim Assist
To combat the advantages PC gamers receive in cross-platform games, console players are often aided by aiming assistance. In Call of Duty: Warzone, Activision compensates for the precision advantage of a mouse and keyboard by allowing the crosshairs of weapons to slightly follow opposing players’ movements on consoles. PC players can also benefit from this advantage by connecting a controller.
Ready to take on those pesky console players?
Crossplay can be a great way to meet new people and play with your friends across systems. Check out some of our favourite cross-platform enabled games below. This list is not exhaustive, as more and more games that support crossplay are being released every day.
| Game | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Among Us | PC, Android, iOS |
| Aragami | PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch |
| Astroneer | PC (Microsoft Store), Xbox One |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops – Cold War | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
| Dauntless | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch |
| Dead by Daylight | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch |
| Destiny 2 | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
| Fortnite | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android |
| Minecraft Bedrock Edition | PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android |
| Need for Speed Heat | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
| Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
| Portal 2 | PC, PlayStation 3 |
| Rocket League | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch |
| Star Wars Squadrons | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
| Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege | PC, Amazon Luna |
OcUK Crossplay Gaming Guide
Now we’ve established what crossplay is, it’s time to point you in the direction of all the content we’ve ever written about crossplay compatible games. We have specs and recs, game reviews, and roundups just waiting to burn a hole through your Steam wallet!
Game Reviews
Get gameplay cover and specifications with a healthy dose of opinion. We’ve been lucky enough to get our hands on some game keys, to give you a better insight on what to expect from recent releases and upcoming titles.
Fae Farm
Discover the secrets of Azoria and live your best farming life – with up to three friends! This magical farming sim is a must-have for fans of cosy gaming.
Wildmender
Bring a barren desert back to life in Wildmender, and craft a beautiful garden oasis. Survive solo or with friends.
Up or Lava
Take on dangerous obstacle courses with an extra layer of fiery danger. The lava is rising and you have to get higher and higher to stay in the game.
Moving Out 2
Moving Out 2 has all the charm we loved from the first game, just more. Plus, with great accessibility, representation, and crossplay, you’d be a fool to not suggest this for game night.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 Review
Battle it out with all your favourite Nickelodeon stars, from Aang in the Air Temple to SpongeBob in Bikini Bottom.
Coming Soon!
More great review content is heading your way.
Specs and Recs
Make sure your gaming PC is ready for your Steam wishlist. We’ve got the official specifications for some of the best game releases over the past few years – and great gaming PCs to go with them, too!
Payday 3
The long-awaited sequel to the Payday series lands in September. Learn all about the gameplay, specifications, and legendary CO-OP mode.
The Crew Motorfest
Rev your engines and get ready to race in a stellar selection of cars across Hawai’i. With in-depth co-op and competitive gameplay modes, this is a great racing game to bring to the cross-platform table.
Lego 2K Drive
We love Lego. We love racing games. Put them together, and what do you get? Chaotic carnage that can be enjoyed on any platform.
Remnant II
Itching for some gunslinging gameplay? Remnant II has you covered, a fast-paced, souls-like, action-survival shooter with co-op battling.
Minecraft
Minecraft Bedrock Edition supports crossplay. With over ten years of content under its belt, it’s no surprise we’ve got plenty of our own for you to read.
Street Fighter VI
It’s been a good year for fighter games, with Street Fighter VI kicking off the new instalments to classic franchises. Experience a new era of gameplay!
Pokémon TCG Live
Crossplay, I choose you! Show off your Pokémon Master skills, no matter which platform you play from.
Redfall
Add a healthy dash of vampires and magic to your gameplay, with Redfall. Co-op or solo, there is some high-octane fun to be had here.
World of Warcraft
WoW is nearly twenty years old and still going strong. Whether you play on Mac or PC, you and your friends can explore the extensive content and maps together.
Forza Horizon 5
Supercars? Check. Stunning scenery? Absolutely. Crossplay support? You betcha. Forza Horizon 5 has it all. Including Hot Wheels DLC.
Minecraft Legends
Fancy taking on some evil Piglins? Minecraft Legends is an exciting new way to experience the Minecraft universe, with a heavy focus on action and strategic gameplay.
Fornite
We all know that Fornite is the bastion of crossplay. But did you know it now features Geralt of Rivia? Learn about the ins and outs of Chapter 4 Season 1, including Witcher goodies to unlock and the School of Llama.
Wild Hearts
Wild Hearts is an action-packed RPG set in feudal Japan, to the backdrop of some absolutely stunning scenery. Better yet, it can be played with up to three friends across consoles and PC.
PowerWash Simulator
PowerWash Simulator is the gem you never knew you needed. From satisfying gameplay to free Tomb Raider DLC, is there anything this game doesn’t have?
Call of Duty
From Modern Warfare II to Warzone 2.0, our current COD fixes include crossplay. Now including: Modern Warfare III! Learn more about these instalments to the iconic franchise.
The Settlers: New Allies
With reboots come shiny new features. The Settlers: New Allies adds crossplay to its roster, along with state-of-the-art graphics and animations.
Overwatch 2
Enjoy some team-based PvP action with Overwatch 2. Sequel to the PC gaming staple Overwatch, this game takes you through new maps with a strong cast of characters to play as.
DokeV
There may not be a release date for the creature collecting, open world game yet, but DokeV devs have confirmed crossplay is supported. Huzzah!
Deathloop
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. We call that time loop gaming.
Rainbow Six Extraction
Team up with your mates to take on the Archaen – whether they are on console or PC. This spin-off from Rainbow Six Siege promises high-octane PvE battles for all to enjoy.
Apex Legends
This hero-shooter, battle royale is hugely popular. As you can play with friends regardless of platform, we can see why!
Lego Brawls
Our love of Lego should come as no surprise. It’s nostalgic, the games have a side-splitting sense of humour, and the sheer number of items to unlock appeals greatly to our inner hoarder. Plus, this one has crossplay!
No Man’s Sky
It’s been a rollercoaster watching No Man’s Sky blossom into the beloved game it is today. Read up on its redemption arc whilst enjoying some crossplay space exploration.
F1 22
It’s time to burn some rubber. F1 22 introduced ray tracing to the hyper-realistic racing series and is even VR ready.
Diablo IV
The high-anticipated Diablo IV is now on our gaming PCs – at last! It’s time to explore and save Sanctuary once more from evil and darkness.
Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodhunt
What makes crossplay even better? Sexy vampires. This 18+ game has amazing character customisation and fast-paced PvP play for you to enjoy.
Evil Dead: The GameEvil Dead: The Game
Evil Dead has been a campy horror staple since 1981. It’s about time it found its way onto our gaming PCs. Play as one of the many iconic characters from the franchise, or even a demon out to hunt them down. Groovy.
Destiny 2: The Witch Queen
Destiny 2 is another classic crossplay game. The Witch Queen is a recent DLC that sees you journey to Savathun’s Throne.
League of Legends
League of Legends is a team strategy game that had a stellar year in 2021. Take a look back at its achievements.
Halo Infinite
This free-to-play instalment of the Halo Series has crossplay and cross-gen play. Tasty.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Cowabunga! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is chock-full of late 80s and early 90s nostalgia. Enjoy crossplay with this beat ‘em up game between Xbox and PC.
Battlefield 2042
Enjoy massive scale battles whether you are on PC or console. Plus, Battlefield 2042 has many different gameplay modes for you to experience.
Hot Wheels: Unleashed
Let your inner 90’s kid pick the game, with Hot Wheels: Unleashed. Build custom tracks from the iconic orange runners and unlock a stunning range of vehicles.
Chivalry 2
Join the front of an epic battle. Chivalry 2 will let you live out your historical war fantasies from the safety of your gaming chair.
The classic fighter franchise is back! Tekken 8 brings phenomenal graphics, spectacular combats, and crossplay support.
Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones has been worth the wait! You can sail the high seas with your friends, regardless of platform!
Coming soon!
Watch this space 🙂
Weekend Gaming
We love to game at the weekend. Especially with our mates. We have weekend gaming content ready to inspire your sessions.
Please note that not all the games mentioned in these articles support crossplay.
Battle Royales
There’s nothing like a last man standing competition between friends. Battle Royales are the best way to test your skills and dominate the battlefield. Fornite, Fall Guys, Spellbreak – we’ve got a juicy selection of crossplay-supported games to read up on.
Racing Sims
Host a Grand Prix with your mates at the weekend with these fantastic racing games. From F1 2023 to Disney Speedstorm, there’s plenty of crossplay fodder for your gaming needs.
Strategy Games
Put your little grey cells to the test with classic strategy games like Age of Empires II and Sid Meier’s Civilisation VI.
Sandbox Games
Sandbox games are the best place to stretch your creative muscles. It’s even better with friends. Both Rust and Minecraft support crossplay.
MMOs
MMOs are a great way to sink a few hours of gameplay. Did you know classics like Final Fantasy XIV and Guild Wars 2 support crossplay?
Multiplayer Madness
Gather the squad for some multiplayer madness. These showcases include Fall Guys, Roller Champion, and Escape Academy for all your crossplay needs. Gather the squad for some multiplayer madness. These showcases include Fall Guys, Roller Champion, and Escape Academy for all your crossplay needs.
Board Games
Fancy bringing a virtual board game to the table for game night? From Splendor to Wingspan, there are plenty that can be played across platforms.
Sports Games
Whilst doing actual sports may seem like the worst Saturday ever, we do love a bit of sporting gameplay! FIFA 23 and PGA TOUR 2K23 are definitely better than really playing football or golf.
Co-Op Games
Co-op or go home, we say. Get some co-operative gameplay in with the squad this weekend, on titles such as Dungeons and Dragons: Dark Alliance and Overcooked: All You Can Eat!
MMORPGs
Take your RPGs online and across platforms with this great selection of MMORPGs. Game for hours with Star Wars: The Old Republic and RuneScape (2020).
MOBAs
Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas are a great way to spend your weekend. With games like Farlight 84, you can battle it out with your friends on PC or mobile, wherever your weekend takes you!
Party Games
What’s the best way to get that party feeling going? Playing games, of course! Both Goose Goose Duck and Party Animals support crossplay – perfect for your next remote party.
Brawlers
Brawler games make such good weekend play, we’ve talked about it twice! Explore a tasty range of games from Lego Brawls to Fight Crab.
Christmas Party
Ho, ho, ho! Now I have crossplay. Check out some great party games you can play with your friends for some festive fun.
Survival Games
Who will win in a game of survival of the fittest? This survival game round up features Wildmender and ARK: Survival Evolved, which supports crossplay between Xbox and Windows.
FPS Games
Test your aim this weekend with some great FPS games. Borderlands 3 and Halo Infinite are just some of the games mentioned that support crossplay.
Themed Round Ups
Who doesn’t love a good theme? Be it seasonal or based on our latest obsessions, we have yet more great games to influence your next session.
Please note that not all the games mentioned in these articles support crossplay.
Father’s Day
What better way is there to celebrate Father’s Day than with some multiplayer madness? Take on the classic puzzle adventure of Portal 2 or head to the kitchen for some chaos in Overcooked: All You Can Eat.
Two Player Valentine’s
Console gaming doesn’t need to be a red flag anymore. Enjoy games like Terraria with your bae, regardless of platform.
Best Time Loop Games for Groundhog Day
Time to get some serious deja-vu and play some time loop games. Deathloop offers crossplay between Steam and EPIC Games or Xbox and Windows Store on select modes.
Alien Day
April 26th marks Alien Day in our calendars, so of course we took the chance to look at the best Alien games to play on this hallowed occasion. Our round-up even included the crossplay co-op Aliens: Fireteam Elite.
Bonfire Night
Gear up for some explosive gameplay on Bonfire Night. Worms Rumble and Overwatch 2 with bring the fireworks, you bring the squad.
Hallowe’en
Get in the mood for the spoopy season, with this great selection of crossplay-supported games. Phasmophobia and Back 4 Blood are the prefect additions for your Hallowe’en plans. Get in the mood for the spoopy season, with this great selection of crossplay-supported games. Phasmophobia and Back 4 Blood are the prefect additions for your Hallowe’en plans.
Best PCs for Crossplay
Enjoy high-frame rates and great graphical performance with an Overclockers UK gaming PC, perfect for jumping into some Destiny 2, Fortnite, and more. As crossplay games cover a wide variety of genres and game styles, we have an extensive range of PC to suit every gamer, from entry-level to overclocking pros. Below is a cheeky cross-section of our gaming PCs as well as a link to our whole collection for you to peruse.
Refract Gaming
Get a gaming PC that’s pre-built and crafted for your tier of gaming. The Refract Gaming range features a rainbow of gaming PCs that are engineered to suit 1080p, 1440p, or even 4K gaming. Explore now to find the machine for you!
Infin8 and 8Pack
Equip yourself with an ultimate powerhouse machine, with an Infin8 or 8Pack gaming PC. Designed with the champion overclocker himself, these PCs are water-cooled, decked out with the latest hardware, and overclocked or fine-tuned to squeeze the most performance out of all the components.
OcUK Gaming
Our OcUK Gaming range covers gaming PCs from entry-level to high-end performance. There is definitely a PC for you nestled amongst these ranks. Even better, all of these gaming PCs are configurable, allowing you to adjust the base spec from a pre-selected list of hardware to fine-tune these computers to meet your needs.
Shop the Full Range
Need more scope? The corner of our website dedicated to gaming PCs has many categories for you to explore. If you know what you’re looking for, you can browse these targeted selections by feature, hardware brand, or even by the games they can play!
We hope this guide answers all your crossplay questions and gives you plenty of gaming fodder. If you do have any burning questions, leave them in the comment section below and we’ll do our best to answer them! For now, let us know what your favourite crossplay game is.
- 21 min read
Overclockers UK
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OcUK has been the home for PC gaming enthusiasts since 2012. The blog is chock full of hardware news, upcoming games, and handy guides. As such, the Overclockers UK Blog team is dedicated to bringing you top-quality content daily.
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