Quickly fading are the days when crossplay and cross-platform support were the exception rather than the rule. With games like Fortnite leading the charge and making itself available on basically everything but the calculator collecting dust in some forgotten section of your attic (rest assured Epic Games is working on that too), proving it is usually worthwhile for consoles to promote accessibility rather than restrict it, even longtime stalwarts like Sony are growing increasingly warm to the idea of generalized cross-platform support.
Does Crossplay Depend on the Game or the Platform?
For a game to support crossplay between platforms, you need both. Think of it as a handshake (you remember those things, right?). For a connection to be made, one has to extend their hand and the other has to take it. So even if the developer does everything required on their end to make it possible, they still need the platform’s green light.
Thankfully, all systems are a go.
Microsoft had traditionally been more open about improving accessibility and sharing technology. The major obstacle for the longest time was getting Sony to show up to the crossplay party. Fortunately, however, all that changed last year.
In a 2019 interview with Wired, PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan expressed a desire to see the platform, by then infamous for its general recalcitrance towards growing pressure from fans and developers, evolve and grow — announcing that the PS4 would support any crossplay functionality implemented by the developers.
A big, big deal and certainly a step in the right direction for tearing down the borders between players of different tastes and income brackets, as well as a surefire way to clamp down on the platform partisanship that had grown increasingly toxic with time.
Related: PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Launch Titles, Exclusive Games, and More
But, with the days of the PS4 and Xbox One now limited, and the next-gen consoles hurtling towards us at lightspeed, the question on a lot of gamers’ minds is undoubtedly:
Will PS5 and Xbox Series X & S have Cross-Platform Support/Crossplay?
Thank the gaming heavens, because the answer is a resounding yes! Neither Microsoft nor Sony has any plan to change their tune on cross-platform support or walk back any of the major strides made with the PS4 and Xbox One on the next-gen consoles. This includes both the Series X and the S, which, though less powerful, will be able to play everything the X can.
Exclusives will, however, remain a fixture of the gaming market and probably won’t be going away anytime soon. Which isn’t, of course, a bad thing. Without getting into the philosophy of gaming, consumer choice, market forces and throwing around a bunch of economic jargon, exclusives are often some of the more expensive and intensely developed games out there, bolstered by a vested interest by the platform to make something so undeniably good it sways your choice of console — a multi-year commitment for the consumer.
But for more on that, check out our article on all the PS5 and Xbox Series X Exclusives and Launch Titles.
Let’s get to the heart of the matter. What games will have crossplay on the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
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PS5 and Xbox Series X Games Confirmed to Have Crossplay
Destiny 2
Destiny 2, Bungie’s epic science-fantasy FPS will indeed be available on both of the next-gen consoles with crossplay support — a big bonus for Destiny 2 fans considering the developers decided to forge ahead with a roadmap of gigantic DLC updates in lieu of a Destiny 3.
Chivalry 2
The most intense medieval psychopath simulator plans to come out with a much-anticipated followup designed to double down on the gritty, melee madness and make good use of the powerful new hardware. This bodes well for the PvP heavy game and its launch day playerbase.
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Fortnite
Leading the charge, as always, is the indefatigable Fortnite. It’s the game that tore down the wall for general crossplay and is the shining example of player accessibility. The world’s most popular royale will also be making the leap to Epic’s new Unreal Engine 5, so be prepared for some earth-shattering graphics.
Worms Rumble
In case you hadn’t heard, Worms is returning and, to the chagrin of some and the delight of others, it’s hopping on the battle royale bandwagon. That’s right: Works Rumble will be doing away with the signature, turn-based combat, and have dozens of players firing at each other in real-time.
What Happens to PS4 and Xbox One Support?
PS4 and Xbox One users have no need to panic for the time being. Sony and Microsoft won’t be flipping a switch on next-gen launch day and sending the PS4 and Xbox One to the shadow realm anytime soon. There’s still many millions of dollars to be made for them on both consoles and support is likely to continue for both devices for several years at least.
So take a deep breath, and make your decision about which console to go with peace of mind that there is no rush.
Which console are you going with, and why? Who do you think had the better lineup of exclusives? Let us, and everyone else, know down below.
