How Crossplay Works Between PS5 and Xbox in New Games
Introduction
The gaming world has changed a lot in recent years. One of the biggest shifts is crossplay — the ability for players on different consoles to play together. Today, many titles support crossplay between PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, giving friends more freedom no matter which console they own. But how does it actually work, and what do you need to know before jumping in? Let’s break it down.
1. What Is Crossplay?
Crossplay is a feature that allows players using different platforms (PS5, Xbox, PC, and sometimes even Nintendo Switch or mobile) to join the same game session.
- Without crossplay: PS5 users can only play with other PS5 users.
- With crossplay: PS5 users can play with Xbox or PC users in the same match.
This is especially valuable for multiplayer titles where having a larger player pool improves matchmaking times and competitive balance.
2. How Crossplay Is Enabled
Most new games that support crossplay automatically enable it by default. However, players can usually toggle the feature on or off in the settings.
- Settings Menu: Look for “Crossplay” under Gameplay or Online options.
- Accounts Linking: Some games (like Fortnite or Call of Duty) require you to link your console account (PSN or Xbox Live) with a publisher account (Epic Games, Activision, EA, etc.).
- Friends List: Once linked, you can add friends from other platforms by searching their gamer tag, username, or publisher ID.
3. Popular Games With PS5–Xbox Crossplay
Here are some of the most played crossplay-enabled titles today:
- Fortnite – One of the pioneers of full crossplay across all platforms.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III & Warzone – Huge lobbies filled with PS5, Xbox, and PC players.
- Minecraft – Bedrock Edition allows PS5, Xbox, Switch, and mobile users to join worlds together.
- Apex Legends – Supports PS5, Xbox, and PC crossplay matchmaking.
- Rocket League – Easy party system that lets you invite friends across consoles.
4. Do You Need Paid Subscriptions?
- PlayStation Plus (PS+) and Xbox Game Pass Core/Gold are usually required for online play in most paid games.
- Free-to-play titles like Fortnite, Rocket League, and Call of Duty: Warzone do not require a subscription for crossplay.
5. Voice Chat Across Platforms
- Many crossplay games include in-game voice chat that works across PS5 and Xbox.
- Alternatively, players can use external apps like Discord, which now integrates directly with both PS5 and Xbox consoles.
6. Limitations of Crossplay
While crossplay is a huge step forward, there are still some limitations:
- Not every game supports it. Some publishers keep ecosystems separate.
- Competitive balance: PC players often have faster controls with keyboard/mouse compared to console controllers. Many games allow players to disable crossplay if they prefer.
- Cross-progression vs Crossplay: Don’t confuse them — crossplay lets you play together, while cross-progression lets you carry progress and purchases across platforms. Not all games support both.
7. How to Add Friends on PS5 and Xbox via Crossplay
- Launch the game and go to the Social or Friends menu.
- Select “Add Friend.”
- Enter their Xbox Gamertag or PSN ID (or publisher account name, like Activision ID).
- Send invite → Once accepted, you can squad up regardless of platform.
Conclusion
Crossplay between PS5 and Xbox is one of the best modern gaming features. It breaks down barriers, keeps lobbies full, and ensures you don’t need to buy the same console as your friends just to play together. While not every game supports it yet, more developers are embracing the trend — making cross-platform gaming the new standard.
