Is PUBG Cross Platform? – PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, commonly known as PUBG, is one of the most popular battle royale games, capturing millions of players worldwide since its release.
One of the most frequently asked questions by players is, “Is PUBG cross-platform?” Cross-platform gaming allows players on different gaming devicesâsuch as consoles, PCs, and mobile devicesâto play together. Letâs explore the current state of cross-platform support in PUBG.
What is Cross-Platform Play?
Cross-platform play, also known as cross-play, refers to the ability of players on different hardware platforms to engage in the same multiplayer game.
This means that gamers on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and sometimes even mobile, can all be in the same game lobby, competing against or collaborating with each other.
In recent years, many multiplayer games have adopted cross-play to build larger, more unified communities and provide players with more seamless gaming experiences.
Is PUBG Cross-Platform?
As of now, PUBG does have partial cross-platform support, but with certain limitations. Below are the details:
PUBG Console Cross-Platform Play (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)
Yes, PUBG supports cross-platform play between consoles. If you’re playing PUBG on a PlayStation (PS4/PS5) or Xbox (Xbox One/Series X/S), you can easily play with or against players on either of these two platforms. This feature was added in an update in October 2019, and it has been a highly requested feature to unify the console player base.
To enable cross-play on consoles:
- Go to the settings menu.
- Find the “Gameplay” tab.
- Toggle the cross-play option to “On.”
Once cross-play is enabled, you can compete with players across the PlayStation and Xbox ecosystems, regardless of whether they are using older or next-gen consoles. This provides more opportunities to match with a broader player base and shorter queue times.
Is PUBG Cross-Platform Between PC and Consoles?
No, PUBG does not currently support cross-play between consoles and PC. Due to differences in control schemes and potential disparities in competitive balance, PC players are segregated from console players. This means if you are playing on a PC, you will only be able to play with other PC players via platforms like Steam or the Epic Games Store.
PC players often use a mouse and keyboard, which can offer more precise aiming and faster response times compared to controller players on consoles. This competitive edge is likely the main reason why PUBG has kept PC players separated from their console counterparts.
PUBG Mobile Play
PUBG Mobile is also not cross-platform with consoles or PC. PUBG Mobile is a completely different version of the game optimized for mobile devices and has its own dedicated servers. This means that PUBG Mobile players can only play with other mobile players, regardless of whether they are on iOS or Android.
It’s important to note that PUBG Mobile is managed separately from the main version of PUBG (PUBG: Battlegrounds), so cross-play between the mobile version and other platforms like consoles or PC is not available.
Is Cross-Progression Available?
Cross-progression allows players to carry their game progress and stats from one platform to another. Unfortunately, PUBG does not support cross-progression across different platforms. If you switch from console to PC or mobile, your game stats, skins, and purchases will not transfer between platforms.
However, cross-progression is possible between PlayStation and Xbox, meaning if you switch between these two consoles, you can carry your progress and purchases with you. To do this, you need to link your accounts through PUBGâs official website or the in-game options.
Read also: 20 Highly Recommended Adventure Game for Nintendo Switch
How to Enable Cross-Platform Play in PUBG
If you are playing PUBG on a console, enabling cross-platform play is straightforward. Follow these steps:
- Go to the in-game Settings menu.
- Navigate to the Gameplay section.
- Look for the Cross-Platform Play toggle.
- Switch it to On to allow matchmaking with players on other consoles.
Once enabled, you will be able to match with and against players from other consoles in public games.
Pros and Cons of Cross-Platform Play in PUBG
Like all features, cross-platform play comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages:
Pros:
- Larger Player Pool: More players are available for matchmaking, resulting in quicker matchmaking times.
- Play with Friends: If you and your friends are on different consoles, you can still play together in squads.
- Unified Console Community: Cross-platform play unifies the console gaming community, reducing the fragmentation between PlayStation and Xbox users.
Cons:
- No PC Cross-Play: PC players cannot participate in cross-platform play with console users, limiting the full potential of cross-play.
- Competitive Disparities: There may be differences in skill and control precision between players on older vs. next-gen consoles.
Conclusion: Is PUBG Truly Cross-Platform?
To summarize, PUBG offers partial cross-platform functionality. Players on PlayStation and Xbox consoles can play together, but there is no cross-play between PC and consoles, nor is there any cross-platform play with PUBG Mobile. If youâre a console player looking to enjoy PUBG with friends on other consoles, youâre in luck. However, PC and mobile players will have to stick to their own separate gaming ecosystems.
While PUBG doesnât yet offer full cross-platform support, the introduction of console cross-play is a step in the right direction, and the game continues to evolve. As cross-play becomes a more integral part of modern gaming, we might see further updates that expand this feature in the future.
