Do you want to play the latest FPS, MMO or cooking frenzy video game with your friends? With ever-expanding online capabilities for gaming, it's never been easier to pick and play with players from all over the world, though the growth of cross-play seems to beat one to the punch. The latest major hurdles for gamers stuck on different gaming platforms.
Some might not see the noise around the crossover game; After all, don't you have enough people to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare on your PS4?
But it's becoming increasingly clear that we have the technological capability to play cross-platform games, especially since the PlayStation and Xbox consoles share fairly similar processing architecture (and are essentially dedicated gaming PCs).
In the months that followed the release of a major online gameHowever, player numbers also have a tendency to decline and being able to build team-ups across all platforms can be a considerable benefit to hardcore fans and the longevity of the game itself. We know that some publishers, like Ubisoft, are looking to play all of their PvP games cross-play, and this trend is likely to continue. So,
If you like crossover games that don't limit you to a single platform, here's our detailed guide to all the ones you need.
New cross games
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) is the latest high-end game that you can play on PlayStation 4, Windows PC, and Xbox One mode.
Activision calls it "the first time in the history of the Call of Duty franchise that PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC players can play together." In addition to this unified experience, cross-play also allows for cross-progression, which means that your progress in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare will be reported on all platforms related to the same Activision / Call of Duty account. "
Crossplay: What is it?
Cross Play allows you to play video games online on multiple platforms. So a person playing Fortnite on the Nintendo Switch could be on the same server as someone using an Xbox One.
It also allows players to access their player data from different consoles.
Big-name games that focus on widely accessible gameplay are more likely to support cross-play, such as Fortnite Royal Battle Game or Minecraft Building Block Simulator. However,
this practice is not common in all areas: the push for exclusive games on all platforms did not help, which avoids having a glut of titles with potential for cross-play.
(Image credit: Nintendo)
Why don't all the games intersect?
There are some major players leading the charge here.
Microsoft's Play Anywhere initiative means many Xbox titles, once purchased, can also be played on a PC. Since Microsoft is developing both the Xbox platform and the Windows OS, it seems pretty simple and allows cross-play on some (but not all) Play Anywhere games.
We're seeing cross-game growth in AAA games between Xbox and PlayStation, and while it's falling behind on that front, progress is afoot. But there's a development cost that includes crossplay; that's why you don't see it everywhere. If the code of a game is not written to allow this game, it is not so simple to introduce it retrospectively either.
(Image credit: Blizzard) Overwatch developer Wes Yanagi commented:
"Crossplay is certainly a compelling option for gamers, and as a gamer I'd love to see that happen, the truth is that crossplay is Overwatch is harder to pull off than people" (via GameSpot).
Shawn Layden, former president of PlayStation Worldwide Studios, was also quoted as saying that "enabling crossplay isn't just about flipping a switch and 'that's it.' from Eurogamer). Even if it's technically possible, platform makers may also be hesitant (cough, Sony, cough) to open the game on multiple platforms because they want players to be on their platform and not the others.
But which games are really cross-play? You can see our guide to
10 best crossover games below.
10 essential cross-play games
(Image credit: Epic Games
1. Fortnite (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC, Mobile)
Fortnite, an extremely popular online battle game,
is the best cross-play game for ease of play and compatibility with consoles, PC, iOS and Android. Fortnite Chapter 2 has also released a new island map, with new mechanics like swimming and motorboats, the weather has never been so good.
2. Minecraft (Xbox One, Switch, PC, Mobile)
Do you want more crafts than shooting?
Minecraft is the best-selling PC game of all time, and for good reason: its simple interface and building mechanics allow for considerable creativity and complexity, whether you're building a floating castle, an underground lava tower, or an in-game Giant. The world is your oyster in blocks.
3. Rocket League (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC)
An original soccer remix that lets you hit soccer balls and score goals in fast cars, as stupid and chaotic as it should be, and one of the first games to get that crossover support.
(Image credit: Infinity Ward)
4. Call of Duty: Modern War (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
The latest installment in the Call of Duty franchise tackles XNUMXst century warfare, focusing on how civilians are caught up in urban battlefields. Whichever campaign is chosen, multiplayer will be as smooth and uncluttered as ever.
5. Hearthstone (PC, Mobile)
A free card game that expands on the traditions of World of Warcraft and has amassed a sizable fan base, while cross-play with mobile devices allows for much more flexible gameplay across all platforms.
6. PUBG (Xbox One, PS4)
The battle royale game couldn't follow the success of Fortnite, but it still has a sizable audience, and
supports cross-play between Xbox One and PS4. However, you cannot play between all platforms.
7. Street Fighter V (PS4, PC)
Limited Crossplay,
but the 2016 Street Fighter game shows the beginning of side-scrolling strokes that go beyond the restrictions imposed by certain platforms.
(Image credit: Chucklefish Games)
8. Wargroove (Xbox One, Switch, PC)
An indie strategy game inspired by the legacy of Advance Wars, this time in a fantastical medieval setting. More dragons and magic than tanks and planes, but sprite-based warfare is always worth it, whatever the platform.
9. Intrepid (Xbox One, PS4, PC)
A free action game published by Epic Games, which you can play alone or in groups of up to four people. In the Monster Hunter vein, you're up against huge "Behemoths" that destroyed the field, though these monsters can be dealt with in about 20 minutes.
10. DC Universe Online (PS4, PC)
An action MMO that takes place in the DC universe, including Batman, Flash, the Joker and more, populated a comic inspired world. Why play alone when your friends on PC and PS4 can join you?