Deep Rock Galactic has grown to become a cult favorite among gamers, thanks to its thrilling cooperative gameplay and engaging missions. But with the rise of cross-platform gaming, many players are asking a critical question: Is Deep Rock Galactic crossplay? In this article, we’ll explore what crossplay means for this unique co-op shooter, how it works, and what players on different platforms can expect.
Crossplay
First things first—what exactly is crossplay? Crossplay refers to the ability for players on different platforms, such as PC, Xbox, or PlayStation, to team up and play together. This feature has become increasingly popular in modern games, allowing friends to connect regardless of their gaming system. For a game like Deep Rock Galactic, which thrives on teamwork and cooperative play, crossplay is a game-changer.
In Deep Rock Galactic, you and your friends take on the roles of rugged space dwarves, exploring dangerous caves, mining precious resources, and battling alien threats. The ability to join forces across platforms is more than just convenient—it enhances the experience, making it more accessible to a broader audience. But how does it work in Deep Rock Galactic?
PC vs. Console
When it comes to Deep Rock Galactic, the game offers a largely consistent experience across platforms. Whether you’re playing on PC, Xbox, or PlayStation, the core gameplay remains the same. The major difference lies in the hardware and control schemes.
PC players tend to benefit from higher-resolution graphics, customizable settings, and the precision of a keyboard and mouse. On the other hand, console players enjoy optimized controls and a smoother performance, thanks to the hardware optimizations on consoles like the Xbox and PlayStation. Despite these differences, the game ensures that no matter the platform, players get a cohesive and balanced experience.
This uniformity is essential for a successful crossplay feature. Crossplay should allow all players, whether on PC or console, to work together seamlessly without worrying about significant disparities in gameplay mechanics or performance.
Platforms
So, is Deep Rock Galactic crossplay available on all platforms? The answer is a bit nuanced.
As of now, crossplay is only supported between certain platforms. Players on PC who bought the game through the Microsoft Store or who have Xbox Game Pass for PC can team up with those playing on Xbox consoles. This means if you’re playing on Steam or PlayStation, unfortunately, crossplay is not supported with these platforms at the moment.
While this might seem like a limitation, the crossplay between the Microsoft ecosystem (PC and Xbox) has been a welcome feature. It allows a significant portion of the game’s community to connect and enjoy the game together, even if they don’t share the same hardware. However, many fans are hopeful that broader crossplay, including Steam and PlayStation, might be introduced in the future.
Cross-Platform Progression
Another key aspect to consider is cross-platform progression. This feature allows players to transfer their progress, characters, and stats between platforms. For example, if you started playing Deep Rock Galactic on PC and later switched to Xbox, cross-platform progression would enable you to pick up right where you left off without losing any of your hard-earned progress.
Unfortunately, Deep Rock Galactic does not currently support cross-platform progression. This means that if you switch from one platform to another, you’ll have to start fresh, which can be frustrating for players who have invested time in leveling up their characters and unlocking new gear.
The Future
While the current crossplay options are somewhat limited, the future of crossplay in Deep Rock Galactic looks promising. As more and more games adopt full crossplay functionality across all platforms, there is a strong possibility that Deep Rock Galactic will expand its crossplay offerings as well.
The developers at Ghost Ship Games have been receptive to community feedback and have steadily improved the game with updates and new features. Many fans are optimistic that broader crossplay, including between Steam, PlayStation, and the Microsoft platforms, will eventually be implemented. After all, crossplay has become a staple feature in many modern multiplayer games, and Deep Rock Galactic would benefit greatly from a fully unified player base.
Benefits
So, why is crossplay such a big deal for a game like Deep Rock Galactic? The benefits are clear:
Larger Player Base: Crossplay allows players from different platforms to join forces, increasing the number of potential teammates. This is especially helpful for games that rely heavily on cooperative gameplay, like Deep Rock Galactic.
Flexibility: If you have friends who game on different platforms, crossplay allows you to team up without having to buy the same system or copy of the game.
Community Growth: Crossplay helps maintain a healthy player population, which is crucial for the longevity of any online game.
Enhanced Experience: Sharing the game with players from different platforms enriches the gameplay experience, fostering a more diverse community and ensuring you’re always able to find teammates.
Challenges
That said, implementing crossplay isn’t always a smooth ride. For a game like Deep Rock Galactic, balancing the experience across different platforms can be tricky. Here are a few challenges developers face:
Hardware Disparities: PC players with high-end systems may have a competitive advantage over those playing on consoles due to better graphics and faster load times.
Control Schemes: The difference between keyboard/mouse and controller setups can lead to imbalances in gameplay, though Deep Rock Galactic’s co-op nature helps mitigate these concerns.
Server Integration: Ensuring seamless matchmaking across platforms can be technically demanding, as different platforms may have different network infrastructures.
Conclusion
So, is Deep Rock Galactic crossplay? The answer is yes—with some caveats. While PC players using the Microsoft Store or Game Pass can play with Xbox players, Steam and PlayStation users are currently left out of the crossplay experience. Despite this, the game still delivers a smooth and consistent experience across platforms, making it a great choice for cooperative play.
As crossplay becomes more common in the gaming world, we can hope that Ghost Ship Games will continue to expand this feature, possibly introducing broader crossplay in future updates. For now, if you and your friends are within the Microsoft ecosystem, you can enjoy Deep Rock Galactic together, no matter which platform you’re playing on. And that’s a rock-solid foundation for a great gaming experience.
Team Digisolutions 
Evelyn