Deep Rock Galactic has built a strong following thanks to its unique cooperative gameplay, creative design, and a thrilling atmosphere where players work together as space miners in procedurally generated caves. One of the big questions that often comes up from both newcomers and seasoned fans alike is: “Is Deep Rock Galactic crossplay?” The answer, while a bit nuanced, reveals a well-thought-out system that offers players the freedom to connect across platforms.
Crossplay
Deep Rock Galactic does indeed offer crossplay, but with some restrictions. While many games are moving toward full cross-platform integration, this title has taken a slightly different approach. If you’re a fan of cooperative mining adventures, it’s important to understand how this works to ensure you’re not left in the dark when it comes to teaming up with friends.
Platform Breakdown
The game is available on several platforms: PC (both on Steam and the Microsoft Store), Xbox, and PlayStation. However, the crossplay experience depends on where you purchased the game.
Steam vs. Microsoft Store: If you’re playing on Steam, you won’t be able to connect with those who bought the game via the Microsoft Store. However, those on the Microsoft Store can crossplay with Xbox users. This integration is seamless and allows players to jump into the action with minimal fuss.
PlayStation Users: As of now, PlayStation users don’t have the option for crossplay with other platforms. This is a notable limitation, but considering the growing demand for cross-platform functionality, there’s always hope that this could change in the future.
Why No Full Crossplay?
You might wonder why Deep Rock Galactic doesn’t have full crossplay across all platforms, especially in an era where many games are moving toward complete platform unity. The answer lies in the technical challenges involved. Deep Rock Galactic was developed by a relatively small team, Ghost Ship Games, and ensuring a smooth crossplay experience across vastly different platforms can require extensive resources.
Additionally, the infrastructure between Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and the Microsoft Store differs significantly. Each platform has its own unique way of handling online services, multiplayer connections, and account syncing, which complicates the process.
How It Works
Despite these limitations, the crossplay that exists in Deep Rock Galactic works well for those who can take advantage of it. For Microsoft Store and Xbox users, connecting is as simple as logging in and inviting friends, regardless of whether they’re playing on a console or PC. The shared ecosystem between Xbox and Microsoft’s PC store makes this possible.
Steam users, on the other hand, are limited to playing with other Steam players. However, the game’s matchmaking system makes it easy to find fellow dwarves to team up with, whether through public lobbies or by inviting friends.
Performance
One of the game’s strengths is that it ensures a consistent experience across all platforms. While players on PC might have the advantage of high-resolution graphics and customizable settings, the console versions of the game are highly optimized for performance. This balance ensures that, no matter where you’re playing, you’re getting a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Future Updates?
Given the game’s success and the increasing demand from players for full crossplay, there’s always a possibility that Ghost Ship Games could expand the current crossplay options. They have a strong track record of listening to community feedback, and with each major update, the game continues to grow and evolve. So while full crossplay isn’t available now, it’s not out of the question for future development.
Benefits of Crossplay
The crossplay features that do exist in Deep Rock Galactic bring several benefits to players:
Larger Player Base: Crossplay between Xbox and Microsoft Store players means a bigger pool of players to team up with, ensuring quicker matchmaking times and more vibrant multiplayer sessions.
Play Anywhere: For those who own both an Xbox and a PC, crossplay allows for flexibility in how and where you play. You can start a game on your console and continue it on your PC, all without losing progress.
Seamless Experience: The crossplay experience is designed to be seamless, meaning players can easily invite friends, join games, and communicate without jumping through hoops. The interface is intuitive, and once you’re in a game, the platform differences fade away, allowing you to focus on the mission at hand.
Challenges
Of course, there are a few challenges that come with limited crossplay:
Platform Lock-In: If your friends are on a different platform than you, this can be a source of frustration. A Steam player can’t team up with their Xbox friends, which can lead to difficult decisions when choosing where to buy the game.
Technical Limitations: As mentioned, the different infrastructures of each platform present technical challenges that make full crossplay difficult to implement. These limitations can sometimes feel like a missed opportunity, especially when compared to games that have fully embraced cross-platform play.
Community Response
The Deep Rock Galactic community has been largely positive about the game’s crossplay features, even with the current limitations. Many players appreciate the fact that crossplay exists at all and are hopeful for more in the future. The developers have been transparent about the challenges of implementing full crossplay, which has helped to set realistic expectations.
Players often gather on forums and social media to discuss the game’s features and updates, and crossplay remains a hot topic. While some wish for a more unified system, many understand the complexities involved and are happy with the game as it stands.
Conclusion
So, is Deep Rock Galactic crossplay? The answer is a qualified yes. While not fully cross-platform across all systems, the game does allow for crossplay between Xbox and Microsoft Store users, offering a more connected experience for those in the Microsoft ecosystem. For others, the game’s well-designed matchmaking and smooth multiplayer experience still make it a great cooperative adventure, even without full cross-platform play.
As Ghost Ship Games continues to develop and expand the game, there’s always the possibility of more crossplay options being added in the future. For now, players can enjoy the intense, cooperative mining adventures that Deep Rock Galactic is known for, knowing that they’re part of a vibrant and growing community of space-faring dwarves.
