Sign in Subscribe

Crossplay Setup for Popular Games: What Works and What Doesn’t

Crossplay Setup for Popular Games: What Works and What Doesn’t

Crossplay has become one of the most requested features in multiplayer gaming. It lets players on different platforms (PC, Xbox, PlayStation, etc.) join the same servers or lobbies. However, the implementation varies heavily across games and often comes with technical or licensing caveats. In this guide, we break down what works, what doesn’t, and what to expect when setting up crossplay servers.

What Is Crossplay?

Crossplay refers to the ability for users on different hardware platforms to connect and play together in the same game session. This could be via official servers or user-hosted dedicated servers, depending on the title.

Common Crossplay Limitations

  • Licensing Restrictions: Some platforms (like PlayStation) may restrict full server hosting or mod support.
  • Different Game Versions: PC often gets updates or mods earlier than consoles.
  • No Dedicated Server Support: Some games only allow matchmaking-based crossplay, not dedicated server hosting.

Games That Support Crossplay (and How)

Minecraft

  • How It Works: Bedrock Edition (PC, mobile, console) supports full crossplay.
  • Caveats: Java Edition is not crossplay-compatible with Bedrock.
  • Hosting: Use Bedrock server software for crossplay; Java server for PC-only.

ARK: Survival Ascended

  • How It Works: Supports crossplay between Xbox and Windows Store PC version.
  • Caveats: Steam version cannot connect to Xbox/Windows Store version.
  • Hosting: You must run a Microsoft version server to support Xbox/Win.

Rust (Console Edition)

  • How It Works: Crossplay enabled between Xbox and PlayStation.
  • Caveats: No crossplay with PC version (Facepunch).
  • Hosting: No self-hosted servers for consoles.

Valheim

  • How It Works: Full crossplay across PC versions (Steam, Microsoft Store).
  • Caveats: Ensure crossplay is enabled in configs.
  • Hosting: Works great on dedicated servers or VPS.

Call of Duty: Warzone / MW Series

  • How It Works: Full crossplay via official matchmaking.
  • Caveats: No dedicated server support.
  • Hosting: You cannot host private or modded crossplay servers.

Terraria

  • How It Works: Limited crossplay depending on version.
  • Caveats: PC and console/mobile often run incompatible builds.
  • Hosting: Research version compatibility before setting up.

What Doesn’t Work

  • Mods on Consoles: Mods often break crossplay or are not supported at all.
  • Different Update Schedules: Consoles often lag behind PC patches.
  • Authentication Conflicts: Xbox Live / PSN / Steam accounts can conflict on mixed servers.

Summary

Crossplay is a game-changer, but not all games or hosting environments are created equal. Some allow full platform blending with minimal hassle, while others limit it to official matchmaking or partial compatibility. Before committing to a crossplay server setup, always research the platform limitations, required versions, and hosting capabilities