Introduction
Deep Rock Galactic is a cooperative first-person shooter developed by Ghost Ship Games, where players control space-faring dwarves tasked with mining valuable minerals while battling hostile alien creatures. The game is highly praised for its teamwork-based gameplay, procedurally generated environments, and engaging mission design.
One of the most frequently asked questions among players is whether Deep Rock Galactic supports crossplay. Crossplay allows players on different gaming platforms to play together, making multiplayer experiences more accessible and enjoyable. However, Deep Rock Galactic’s crossplay functionality has certain limitations that players need to be aware of before attempting to play with friends across different platforms.
This article provides a detailed explanation of how crossplay works in Deep Rock Galactic, covering platform compatibility, setup guides, reasons for crossplay limitations, and potential future updates.
What is Crossplay and Why is it Important?
Definition of Crossplay
Crossplay, also known as cross-platform play, is a feature that enables players using different gaming systems—such as PC, Xbox, and PlayStation—to join the same multiplayer game session. It allows friends to play together without being restricted by their choice of hardware.
Why Crossplay Matters in Deep Rock Galactic
Deep Rock Galactic is designed around cooperative gameplay, where teamwork is essential to complete missions successfully. If full crossplay were available, it would allow a larger player base to team up seamlessly, improving matchmaking times and overall player experience. However, due to technical and platform-specific restrictions, crossplay is only partially supported in Deep Rock Galactic.
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Does Deep Rock Galactic Support Full Crossplay?
Deep Rock Galactic does not support full crossplay across all platforms. Instead, crossplay is available only within certain platform ecosystems.
Crossplay Compatibility by Platform
| Platform | Crossplay Support | Compatible Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Steam (PC) | No | Only Steam players can play together |
| Xbox & Windows Store (PC Game Pass) | Yes | Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows Store (PC) |
| PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5 | Yes | PS4 and PS5 players can play together |
From this breakdown, it is clear that:
- Steam players can only play with other Steam players and cannot connect with Xbox or PlayStation users.
- Xbox players can play with those using the Windows Store version of the game but not with Steam or PlayStation users.
- PlayStation players can only play with others on PlayStation, meaning PS4 and PS5 players can connect but cannot join Xbox or PC players.
This separation between platforms is a key limitation of the game’s crossplay functionality.
How to Use Crossplay in Deep Rock Galactic
For players using Xbox and the Windows Store version (PC Game Pass), crossplay is enabled by default. Follow these steps to play cross-platform within this ecosystem:
How to Play Crossplay on Xbox and Windows Store (PC Game Pass)
- Check Platform Compatibility
- Ensure you and your friends are using an Xbox console (Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S) or the Windows Store (PC Game Pass) version.
- Steam and PlayStation players cannot join Xbox or Windows Store players.
- Sign in to Your Microsoft Account
- Since Xbox crossplay works through Xbox Live, all players must be signed in to their Microsoft account.
- Add Friends via Xbox Live
- Open the Xbox Social menu or Xbox Game Bar on PC.
- Add friends using their Xbox Gamertag.
- Join or Create a Game Session
- One player must create a multiplayer lobby in Deep Rock Galactic and invite friends through the in-game menu or Xbox Live.
- Start the Mission
- Once all players are in the session, select a mission and begin the cooperative gameplay.
Why Doesn’t Deep Rock Galactic Have Full Crossplay?
Several factors prevent Deep Rock Galactic from having full crossplay across all platforms.
Separate Game Versions
The Steam and Microsoft Store versions of the game are separate, meaning Steam players cannot connect with Xbox or PC Game Pass users.
Technical Limitations
The game has different matchmaking systems, update schedules, and online services across platforms, making crossplay implementation complex.
PlayStation’s Crossplay Restrictions
While PlayStation players can enjoy crossplay between PS4 and PS5, they cannot connect with Xbox or PC users, likely due to platform policies and technical differences.
Balance Issues Between PC and Console Players
Crossplay often raises concerns about balance, particularly when players using a keyboard and mouse are matched against those using controllers. Maintaining fair gameplay would require implementing input-based matchmaking, which is an additional development challenge.
Future Possibilities for Crossplay in Deep Rock Galactic
Ghost Ship Games has not officially confirmed plans for full crossplay, but as cross-platform gaming becomes more common, future updates might expand crossplay support.
For full crossplay to become a reality, the developers would need to:
- Unify the Steam and Microsoft Store versions to allow PC players to connect across platforms.
- Enable cross-platform matchmaking between Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
- Introduce input-based matchmaking settings to balance controller and keyboard/mouse gameplay.
Until an official update is announced, players should follow official Ghost Ship Games announcements for any news on expanded crossplay functionality.
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Conclusion
Deep Rock Galactic offers limited crossplay, with:
- Xbox and Windows Store (PC Game Pass) players able to play together.
- PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 players able to connect within their platform.
- Steam players restricted to playing only with other Steam users.
However, full crossplay between all platforms is not available due to platform restrictions, technical challenges, and separate game versions. Players should verify that they are using compatible platforms before attempting to play with friends.
As the demand for crossplay increases, there is potential for future updates to expand compatibility. For now, players can enjoy cooperative gameplay within the existing crossplay limitations while keeping an eye on future developments from Ghost Ship Games.
FAQs: Deep Rock Galactic Crossplay
Does Deep Rock Galactic support full crossplay across all platforms?
No, Deep Rock Galactic does not support full crossplay. Crossplay is limited to specific platform ecosystems:
- Xbox and Windows Store (PC Game Pass) players can play together.
- PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 players can play together.
- Steam players can only play with other Steam players.
Can Steam players play with Xbox or PlayStation players?
No, Steam players cannot play with Xbox, Windows Store (PC Game Pass), or PlayStation players. Steam users are restricted to playing with other Steam users.
How can I play crossplay with my friends on Xbox and PC?
To play crossplay, you and your friends must be using either an Xbox console (Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S) or the Windows Store version (PC Game Pass) of Deep Rock Galactic. You must add each other via Xbox Live and invite friends through the in-game multiplayer menu.
Why doesn’t Deep Rock Galactic have full crossplay?
The game has different versions on Steam, Microsoft Store, and PlayStation, which prevents seamless cross-platform play. Technical limitations, update schedules, and platform policies also contribute to the lack of full crossplay.
Will Deep Rock Galactic get full crossplay in the future?
There has been no official confirmation from Ghost Ship Games regarding full crossplay support. However, as cross-platform gaming becomes more common, there is a possibility that future updates could introduce expanded crossplay functionality. Players should stay updated with official announcements from the developers.
