Video game companies monthly release hundreds of solo and multiplayer games every day. Companies developing different modes and features to stand out between all these features, cross-platforms or cross-play are among the most popular features among gamers.
Most gamers and streamers need clarification about the cross-play platforms.
Before going any further, cross-play is the short form of cross-platform play, so, in simple words, cross-play and cross-platform are the same. Because of Epic Games, Fortnite now also supports cross-play platforms.
The cross-play feature allows players from one platform to play with another platform.
For example, if you want to play Ultra Chess with your friends on the PC, but your friends have different console devices such as Xbox, PS, and Android devices, you can play this game because it supports cross-play mode.
What is Cross-platform in Gaming?
Because of a few popular games like Fortnite, cross-platform mode became more popular in this era. As we all know, multiplayer mode allows you to play with the same platform players, but the cross-platform mode will enable you to play with others.
PC gamers can play online with PS4, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch players.
Cross-platform doesn’t mean you can play with any platform, and it mostly depends on the game you plan to play; there are various reasons for some games that don’t support specific console devices, such as “Gears of Wars,” only support Xbox One and PC.
Besides this, other modes are also available such as cross-gen and cross-save; these modes’ concepts are slightly similar to cross-platforms.
It also has different types, such as-
- Full cross-platform support- this mode supports all devices so that PC players can play online with Xbox players, Nintendo Switch players, Android, iOS, etc.
- Partial cross-platform support- this mode supports a few limited devices; what do I mean is PC player play online with PC player or PS player?
- Xbox plays anywhere cross-play- this mode supports PC and Xbox devices so that Xbox players can play online with other Xbox players or PC players. This mode also allows for cross-save.
Advantages of Cross-Play
- The cross-play platform allows players to share information, and they have the opportunity to play the same game title on different platforms; sounds interesting right?
- Players can play with random players from different platforms and communicate with each other during the gameplay.
- For developers, it is more beneficial because their maintenance costs will reduce, and overall expenses are also less.
- Cross-platform games’ audience reach will grow rapidly in different markets, and it will be easy to manage the player base.
Disadvantages of Cross-Play
Now let’s discuss the disadvantages of cross-play platforms in gaming.
- Server issue is a significant problem for most gamers. Each console device server can handle a limited number of players during the gameplay; if it has more than that, you will feel you need to catch up or other types of issues.
- Each platform has different control settings, so switching to another forum will confuse you during the gameplay.
- Each game has some terms and conditions between gaming companies and gamers, such as certain age limits and specific limitations or restrictions for players.
- Sometimes you will face performance issues and also can’t meet user expectations. Users also face security issues.
The Future of Cross-platform and Cross-play
Cross-platforms and cross-play features have become more prevalent in recent years. Maybe in the future, most of the games will have cross-platform support.
It has a lot of benefits for developers; it reduces their overall cost expenses because of a single platform; compared to other modes, it is more profitable, so these are why more cross-platform games will be released in the future.
Now fans also demand that the latest multiplayer games come with cross-platform support. In an interview a few months back, Sony CEO Jim Ryan said Sony supports cross-play platforms and wants more cross-play mode games to release.
As per a few reports, it has lots of potentials to grow.
Previously developers made money through hardcopy or online sales, which might change to subscriptions or other revenue sources.
What are the Best Cross-platforms Games to Play?
Nowadays, every multiplayer game comes with cross-platform support. There are thousands of cross-platform support games available on the internet.
Mobile Supported Cross-platform Games
- Albion Online (PC {Windows}, Mobile)
- Hearthstone (PC, Windows, Mobile)
- Legends of runeterra (PC Windows, Mobile)
- Royal Crown (PC Windows, Mobile)
- Among Us (PC Windows, Mobile, Nintendo Switch)
- Shadowverse (PC, Mobile)
- Roblox (PC, Mobile, Xbox One)
- The Elder Scrolls; Blades (Mobile, PC, Nintendo Switch)
- Level Head (Mobile, PC, Nintendo Switch)
- Ganshin Impact (Mobile, PS, PC, etc.
PC or Laptop Supported Cross-platform Games
- Chess Ultra (PC, Xbox One, Switch, PS4, Mobile)
- Ark: Survival Evolved (PC, Xbox One)
- Trailblazers (PC, Xbox One, Switch, Mobile)
- Dauntless (PC, Xbox One, Switch, PS4)
- Sea Thieves (PC, Xbox One)
- Guns of Icarus Online (PS4, Linux, Windows, OS X)
- Tooth and tail (Windows, macOS, Linux, PS4)
- War Thunder (Windows, macOS, Linux, PS4, Xbox One)
- Eve: Valkyrie (PC, PS4)
- Paladins: Champions of the Realm (Switch, PC, Xbox One, PS4)
- Phantasy Online 2 (Android, iOS, PS, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch)
- Gears of Wars (PC, Xbox One)
Popular Not Supporting Cross-Platform Games
- Grand Theft Auto 5
- Madden
- NBA 2K
- Overwatch
- Fall Guys
- Monster Hunter World
- Stardew Valley
- Space Team
- Vainglory
- Teamfight Tactics
- Pokemon Go
- Super Stickman Golf3
- League of Legends: Wild Rift
How to Play Minecraft With Friends Using Cross-Play?
If you want to play Minecraft with friends, the process is very simple: invite your friend to your world. Let me help you with the process.
After opening the Minecraft game, you need to sign in first (Xbox One users will automatically log in to the account if the user has been playing this game previously).
Check out below the left-side corner. There is an option “sign-in with Microsoft account” click on that and complete the process.
Open the existing world or create a new one, then launch it; while your gameplay opens the pause game menu, you will find “invite friends” options.
Click on that from there in the top-right side corner. Search your friends through their Minecraft ID; after finding them add them to your friend list, send them an invite whenever they accept your request and directly enter your world.
“Minecraft Java Edition” cross-platform game can only run on Linux and macOS. Java users can play with different platform players like Xbox players, PS players, etc. “Java” version gameplay is slightly more complicated than the “Bedrock version.” In this version, if you want to play with your friends, you must pay a certain amount to get access.
Reminder: Some games can play on specific devices, such as Mario Mash-Up map, only support on a Nintendo switch.
Xbox and Nintendo Switch users need to be paid subscriptions to play Minecraft.
Final Words
In this article, we discussed Cross-platforms; I think I cleared all your doubts and confusion. Many games support cross-platform, and some games don’t; which one is your favorite game from the listed games in this article? Let us know.
