Cross-platform play, or “crossplay,” has become a staple feature in modern multiplayer games, enabling friends to team up regardless of the gaming device they use. Deep Rock Galactic (DRG), a popular cooperative first-person shooter developed by Ghost Ship Games, has embraced crossplay to help players unite across platforms. With its growing fanbase, many are eager to understand how DRG crossplay works, what platforms are supported, and what future developments to expect.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about Deep Rock Galactic crossplay in 2024—from setup and platform compatibility to potential challenges and upcoming updates.
1. Introduction to Deep Rock Galactic Crossplay
Deep Rock Galactic has earned a reputation for its engaging, cooperative gameplay, where teams of dwarves embark on dangerous missions to mine resources, fend off alien creatures, and complete objectives in procedurally generated caves. The cooperative nature of the game makes it a perfect candidate for crossplay, allowing friends from different gaming ecosystems to collaborate seamlessly.
Crossplay has gained popularity in recent years, driven by the increasing demand from players who want more freedom in how and where they play their games. For Deep Rock Galactic, this feature is crucial for expanding the game’s player base, enabling matchmaking across platforms, and ensuring that no one is left out due to hardware preferences.
This guide will break down the intricacies of DRG’s crossplay system, explaining how it works, its limitations, and the steps to get the most out of this feature.
2. What Platforms Support Deep Rock Galactic Crossplay?
Deep Rock Galactic’s crossplay support currently extends to several platforms, but there are key differences between them. At present, the game supports crossplay between Xbox and the Windows Store version of PC, creating a seamless experience for players within the Microsoft ecosystem. This means Xbox players can team up with those who purchased the game via the Microsoft Store on their PC.
Unfortunately, Steam players are currently excluded from the crossplay party with Xbox and Windows Store users. This means that if you own Deep Rock Galactic on Steam, you can only match with other Steam users. This division has caused some confusion, but Ghost Ship Games has been transparent about the technical challenges involved in bridging these ecosystems.
As of now, PlayStation users also do not have access to crossplay, though there has been speculation that this may change in the future as the game continues to evolve. The developers have hinted at possible expansions of crossplay to include more platforms, but no concrete announcements have been made at this time.
3. How to Enable and Use Crossplay in Deep Rock Galactic
Setting up crossplay in Deep Rock Galactic is a straightforward process, but it varies slightly depending on the platform. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure smooth cross-platform gameplay:
Xbox to PC (Windows Store):
- Ensure Both Users Are on Supported Platforms: For crossplay between Xbox and Windows Store, both players need to have their game installed from the Microsoft Store on PC or play on an Xbox console.
- Add Friends via Xbox Gamertags: Whether you’re on PC or Xbox, crossplay relies on the Xbox Gamertag system. Players should add each other through their Xbox accounts.
- Create or Join a Lobby: Once you’ve added your friends, you can easily invite them to your lobby by selecting them from your friends list.
- Start the Game Together: After everyone is in the lobby, you can launch the mission and enjoy seamless cross-platform play.
Steam Crossplay Limitations:
- Unfortunately, crossplay between Steam and Xbox/Windows Store is not yet supported. However, if both players are using Steam, they can invite each other through Steam’s built-in friend system, which simplifies multiplayer setup.
If you encounter issues with connectivity or matchmaking, it’s a good idea to check if both users have the latest game version and are running the game on compatible networks.
4. Benefits and Drawbacks of Crossplay in Deep Rock Galactic
Benefits of Crossplay:
Crossplay in Deep Rock Galactic offers numerous advantages, the most prominent being the expansion of the player base. By allowing players on different platforms to join forces, crossplay helps reduce matchmaking wait times and ensures that players can always find a team to join.
This also creates an opportunity for friends to team up regardless of their hardware. If one player is on Xbox and another is on PC, crossplay ensures that both can enjoy the cooperative action together. This fosters a more inclusive gaming environment, where platform boundaries are no longer a limitation to enjoying the game with friends.
Drawbacks of Crossplay:
However, there are some downsides to crossplay. One of the primary concerns is the technical disparity between platforms. For example, PC players often have access to higher frame rates and better graphical fidelity than their console counterparts, which may create an uneven playing field. This can be particularly noticeable in more action-packed sections of the game.
Additionally, there’s the communication barrier—voice chat and messaging systems are not always fully integrated across platforms, leading to potential issues with coordinating in-game strategies.
Lastly, the Steam vs. Windows Store issue can be frustrating for many players. The split between these versions means that a significant portion of the player base is locked out of crossplay. This can be particularly annoying for friends who are on different PC storefronts.
5. Deep Rock Galactic Crossplay: Updates and Future Developments
In 2024, Deep Rock Galactic received several updates aimed at improving crossplay functionality. Ghost Ship Games has worked to ensure smoother matchmaking and better connectivity between Xbox and PC players. The developers are also exploring future updates to expand crossplay, potentially bringing PlayStation and Steam users into the fold.
While no official timeline has been announced, the community has remained optimistic, with many players hoping that the crossplay gap between Steam and other platforms will be bridged soon. Ghost Ship Games has shown a commitment to evolving the game based on player feedback, so future developments are highly likely.
6. Conclusion
Deep Rock Galactic crossplay is an exciting feature that opens up new opportunities for cooperative gameplay. While it currently supports Xbox and Windows Store players, there are limitations for Steam and PlayStation users. As the game continues to grow and evolve, it’s likely that crossplay will become more robust, eventually allowing players across all platforms to mine, battle, and explore together.
For now, if you’re within the Xbox and Windows ecosystem, crossplay offers a great way to unite with friends and experience the thrill of Deep Rock Galactic.
