A few years ago, with the help of Microsoft and Xbox, crossplay became the norm for multiplayer games across the industry. Sony famously pushed back on the feature before PlayStation eventually hopped aboard, but nowadays, it's pretty much a standard in most big multiplayer games. To be honest though, I think crossplay has gone a bit too far when it comes to PvP experiences these days, and Microsoft has an opportunity to change course a little bit in the coming years - which it should absolutely take.
Let me explain. Crossplay between consoles is fine, because the vast majority of players are using a similar input method to play; a controller. However, with the introduction of PC players into the mix — bringing their mouse and keyboard controls along with them — you inherently have an uneven playing field, especially in first-person shooters. This isn't anything new, it's been going on for years now and lots of folk have brought the issue up, but Microsoft is now moving into an era where this doesn't have to be an issue anymore.
You see, since crossplay became a thing, Microsoft has used the feature to help its online player counts. With the likes of Gears of War 4, Gears 5, Halo Infinite and many others launching day one on PC, including those players in the matchmaking pool has been a win-win for Microsoft and its suite of multiplayer games. But, the team has now started bringing big online games to PS5 — kicking off with Black Ops 6 — and with more rumoured to come, it could be the time to start splitting up the player base to improve the experience for console players.
With thousands and thousands of PS5 users potentially in the mix for future titles, Xbox doesn't have to force console crossplay with PC - it can simply do it with PS5 instead. Now, I'm not saying PC crossplay needs to be eradicated entirely, but given the unfair experience it often provides, it should absolutely be an option for console gamers. Right now, Microsoft buries its crossplay options into an Xbox console setting at system level, and even then, you can't separate PC crossplay from console crossplay! It's a bit of a nightmare to be honest.
Both Black Ops 6 and Halo Infinite don't have any crossplay settings on Xbox:
I understand this may feel like a bit of a niche issue, but in my experience, this continues to affect my online gaming sessions to the point where I often just switch crossplay off at a console level. That brings its own issues though; longer matchmaking times being the big one — in-part due to Xbox being the system with the lowest amount of players — not to mention the inability to play with pals on other devices. If games like Halo and Gears end up on PS5, which they're rumoured to, I'd love to see more flexibility when it comes to crossplay. I'd imagine matchmaking will be very healthy with just Xbox and PlayStation, so let us choose if we want to broaden that out to PC players as well!
I do want to add that, this isn't an issue in every online game. Some titles are just better suited to working across console and PC, and other games do include an option to choose input-based matchmaking. Ubisoft's soon-to-be-doomed FPS XDefiant is one of those titles - using this setting while playing on a controller would remove any mouse and keyboard players from the matchmaking pool. Of course, console players these days can use mouse & keyboard themselves in loads of titles as well, but a simple input-based toggle like the one down below would solve that issue too. We just need controller players separate to M&KB, basically!
In recent years, I've kind of taken this reality on the chin - there's been a justification to encourage crossplay between Xbox and PC to keep online games active, and player counts healthy. But, if Microsoft continues with this push to PS5 (and potentially Switch 2), I think it's about time we started giving players more options when it comes to creating a fair and balanced online experience. This past couple of weeks, Black Ops 6 has felt practically unplayable for me on Xbox with crossplay turned on (skill issue, I know), and I don't know about you folks, but that shouldn't really be a thing when it comes to hopping into Microsoft's biggest first-party game of 2024 on the company's premiere gaming console.
Do any of you have similar thoughts to me on this? Hankering for more cross-play options? Talk to us about it down below.
Comments 51
So because PS5 ports will be happening, they should go back on their cross platform plans that they themselves pushed for and were deemed as the saviours of gaming for because other gamers have a preferred control scheme?
Wild.
@TeiGekiLord Yes.
In all seriousness, I just think the PS5 stuff gives Xbox a reason to have more options. This has been an issue for years, but an understandable one given lower player counts on Xbox.
That probably won't be an issue going forward...
Is it really cross play when everything is an Xbox?
I don't understand this argument. Mouse and keyboard controls are available on the xbox console for most multiplayer shooters. Why is it not unfair to use a mouse and keyboard on xbox but it is when the user is on pc?
If you feel that strongly that mouse and keyboard is an advantage why not use it as well?
There will never be an even playing field with inputs. Controllers will always have the mods available as well like stick extensions, auto buttons, etc.
I'm sure segregating the online communities will do wonders for these new multiplayer games that are already struggling to get a footing.
The input is the most convenient scapegoat for a perceived skill issue. In reality, the biggest hump to get over is that every game has people who only that play that one game. Those people are going to wreck people no matter what input they choose. I bet many of those pc players you lose to also have hundreds of hours on you.
@BacklogBrad I do mention that input-based toggles would work, that would separate console M&KB players too. But, I assume the vast majority of console players dont use M&KB so it's nowhere near as much of an issue as PC.
I dont want to use M&KB because I game on a sofa with a controller and that's the experience I want. I shouldn't be at a massive disadvantage on a console controller when I bought, a console, to play games on.
If input is a scapegoat why is my experience so much better when I go into my console settings and turn crossplay off? Microsoft shouldn't bury this stuff.
Control input is the last thing you should be concerned about in regards to what advantages PC players have over console players. Modding? Hacking? Aimbots? Them using a keyboard and mouse (which you're also free to do on console) is almost a non-issue in comparison.
@Markatron84 Yeah, we looked into this years ago. That's just another reason for Xbox to give us more options!
https://www.purexbox.com/news/2022/01/talking-point-is-forced-cross-play-on-xbox-becoming-a-huge-issue
@Kezelpaso if it is an advantage to use mouse and keyboard then you would really be empowering those who do use a mouse on console.
I don't see it as much of an advantage. They took the time to get get good with their input just like I have seen people do with a controller. People who have the ability to use controller sensitivity maxed out have a clear advantage over people who use the default sensitivity. Congrats to them for taking the time to excel with their choice of input.
Wouldn't people using a controller on pc be discriminated against here because you jumped to the assumption that all pc players use mouse and keyboard? When they might even be on a handheld, which i would consider a disadvantage.
You are essentially upset that they are using a tool that is available to you.
I always treat these input advantages debates like people complaining about officiating in sports. Just another excuse for why they lost.
Considering that the game knows whether you're using a controller or M&K, surely the better solution would be to give players the option to avoid folks using a different control system rather than folks playing on a PC?
@BacklogBrad It totally depends on the game but if it's a twitchy FPS it's an advantage, no question.
How many people do you think bought a console to sit and use a M&KB with it? It's a device designed for a controller in a living room and that should be the focus.
@Vordus Yes, I said this in the article but it's not easy to put in a headline lol
@Kezelpaso Well, more fool on me then!
@Kezelpaso an xbox is designed to be plugged into a display. Whether you plug it into a TV 15 feet away or an ultra wide pc monitor is up to you. Now you want to filter out xboxs that are set up at a desk too?
What happens when xbox has a handheld, or when cloud becomes more adapted? What will you do about the rumored steam home console and when the "pc home console" becomes a market are they filtered out too? Wont those fit your description of devices intended to be in the living room?
I don't know whether that is a 'good' thing or not. I know that it can be almost impossible to get a match in some game modes if you don't enable cross-play because there isn't enough gamers to make it possible for match-making.
Also if you look at Call of Duty with 'Ghosts' - a Cross generational release with NO cross-play - that splits the community of CoD Multi-player gamers between too many different Platforms - it wasn't just split Xbox vs Playstation vs PC, it was 360 vs XB1 vs PS3 vs PS4 vs PC.
If you only have 1m 'active' players, then should you also split those between Platforms? With Xbox/Game Pass as well as Smart delivery enabling you to play 'anywhere' - from Cloud streaming to PC and Console with the 'SAME' account and SAME game Purchase. In other words, if you buy on Console, you get the Console, PC and likely can stream it from the cloud too.
Therefore you could play on Xbox, PC or Cloud with your Xbox purchase/Game Pass Subscription and want to play with your Xbox Console friends, some you may not be able to if they could turn off Cross-play. It would be like Steam having the option to turn 'Cross-play' off and not being able to play with those on Battlenet or Windows/Game Pass despite ALL being on 'PC'
Its not as if Console players are limited to Controller only these days with Both Sony and Microsoft supporting MnK - I could understand if some would prefer the 'option' to only matchmake with others using the SAME input method for 'equality'.
Sony WANT to control their 'ecosystem' and they cannot have the same Control over gamers from other Platforms - hence 'stipulate' that Cross-play has to be 'optional' and that Playstation gamers have cross-play enabled at their 'own' risk because Sony can't 'protect/shield/censor' etc other platforms/gamers.
Personally, I see a 'Game' as having its own Community of gamers that should ALL be able to play together instead of splitting them between whatever 'Platform' they play on. If you are a Battlefield, CoD or Fortnite fan, you should be able to play with ALL the other Community members - not kept away/split apart because of some 'hardware' choice...
It would be bizarre for xbox to filter out its own gamepass subcribers if they are playing a game on the official xbox pc app. Your own xbox friend list would not necessarily fit this definition of "no crossplay". That would look terrible for them especially under the current marketing campaign.
Honestly, we just need to accept that xbox consoles will be something niche primarily for GP. Thats how I think everyone should see them going forward.
Next gen if its pc-xbox hybrid: will be absolutely destroyed by regular windows PC or by Valve and Steam OS. Thats already happening on portable market - they already said desktop steam os is in the works. Even steam machines could be back.
If its a traditional series x like console: basically a power bump with slightly improved controller. Without cool features and marketing for consoles next gen will sell even less. Maybe in 20-30M range.
Also by launching early they probably can secure some sales sure, but then PS6 will leapfrog them. And we saw that more powerful series X did not motivate devs to actually utilize that (with rare exception like space marine 2). So a more poweful ps6 will absolutely crush next xbox. And what happens when ps6 PRO releases?
The problem is Literally every single platform except xbox becomes a better choice for the mainstream player. Again as xbox user I know a lot of unique fetures like quick resume, browser, ecosystem - the console is great. But it doesnt matter when it does not sell and most people dont care about micro features wheb they see flashy exclusives and marketing everyone (like PS and big N).
Moreover I can see series s owners switching to Switch 2 if power will be close enough + MS games on switch + nintendo games.
Won't happen ..but for the love of god let it happen ....sick of having to play with pc nerds and Thier blatant hacks
I have no issue playing with pc players in pve modes. But for multiplayer they need to be removed. Never had an issue finding a game pre crossplay so i dont even know why console players are forced to play with them.
We wouldnt even need Ricochet rubbish anti cheat if it wasnt for PC crossplay.
@StylesT you hate every community but the Xbox one don't you?
At the end of the day CHOICE is good. I don't care if they default to "play with all" but they should give players the option to only play with similar controls.
@Kezelpaso Not to mention cheating is far more rife on PC.
I'd also like to point out the hypocrisy in people - be that players or those writing for publications - singing the praises of cross-play when it was in its infancy (back when Epic was "accidentally" turning it on in Fortnite and Sony was steadfast in its reluctance to allow it) and now it's basically an industry standard, they want to lock out one of the platforms.
I WHOLE HEARTILY support this notion!
@BacklogBrad Maybe because there are players that absolutely, utterly, completely, detest using a mouse and keyboard for gaming...and is major factoring in those players being on a console.
Players just like me.
@GuyinPA75 then feel free to use something else but no need to punish the people don't detest using them.
It takes a substantial effort to get skilled at these games no matter which input you use. You can't just pick up a mouse and be amazing at the games. It's not going to provide an instant improvement for anyone. That's why most people detest mouse keyboard. They hear it is an advantage but then they realize they are even worse than using a controller until they get a ton of practice with it.
@BacklogBrad You're not being punished. Feel free to use mouse and keyboard all you want and to your heart's content.
Just let it be in separate and isolated lobby.
@BacklogBrad Why are you so bent out of shape over this matter? The author wishes to be given the CHOICE not to play against mouse & keyboard PC gamers. Do you know what a choice is? Nobody is advocating "punishing" anybody.
@GuyinPA75 isolation sounds like punishment to me....
@Shy_Hallaman but console gamers have the option to use mouse and keyboard....filtering out the pc players won't eliminate mouse and keyboard. It will just segregate the player base into smaller communities.
@BacklogBrad If anything, I'd consider the segregation a dream come true for the Master Race PC players.
Having us console players away, would bring such a smile of satisfaction.
@GuyinPA75 it sure sounds like it's the console players that are looking down on pc players....
@BacklogBrad it being available doesn’t make it widespread lol
Most people, and I mean probably 98% of the user base use a controller.
It’s completely unfair and gives an unfair advantage on every game except maybe CoD (hardcore still gives an advantage to PC).
@Johnion it's not unfair since it's available to everyone regardless of whether you are on pc or console.
Max controller sensitivity is "unfair" to people playing with minimum controller sensitivity. Should we filter by controller sensitivity too?
The real issue is that you feel the matchmaking is unbalanced. You are getting matches with people who have better statistics and you are blaming the input method for the difference in skills and not the bad matchmaking. I agree mouse and keyboard users generally perform better (also less likely to be a casual gamer) but better matchmaking would naturally filter them into better matches.
@BacklogBrad sigh This is so awful tiring. I'm not a psychologist, but projection can often be found in internet forums. Have a good day, sir.
It is absolutely an advantage using M&K, that's exactly why the vast majority of PC players use that control method. If you aren't convinced, check the killcams in BOps 6 and watch the movement, a controller simply cannot compete even with aim assist.
Also check who tops the leaderboards on most crossplay games, it's nearly always PC Mouse players.
Even switching crossplay off in the Xbox system settings doesn't help, it excludes the PS players but still allows PC players when using their Xbox accounts. I check for PC players and then leave if there are too many simply because you have no chance of competing. Crossplay is awful, never had an issue getting games before it was brought in.
@BAMozzy CoD WW2 had no crossplay and there were no issues getting games in all modes back then, even now you can get games on the main modes easy enough.
The reason it's an issue with the latest CoDs is because so many Xbox players now play with crossplay on, most Xbox players don't think of switching it off in the Xbox settings. Even when you switch it off through Xbox settings it still lets PC players in if they use an Xbox account, this situation is worse now that so many PC players are playing BOps 6 using Gamepass.
@BacklogBrad if you don't think mk has a advantage then I have some magic beans I'd like you to buy.
@Jonnybekeww grab a mouse and keyboard and have that perceived advantage then. What's the issue?
Don't most FPSs compensate for controller users by giving them Aim Assist, or at least not giving it to players using mouse and keyboard? And for CoD at least don't they try to match controller with controller and mk with mk?
Don't most modern multi-player focused games that allow cross-play have Input-based matchmaking filters available simply because the advantage of mouse & keyboard are so apparent?
Not sure how this is an issue.
Choice is what is most important. Some people are happy with crossplay, so I'm grateful when a game gives us the option to turn it off rather than force it either way.
Even better when you come across a rare game that has crossplay matchmaking customisable so you'll only get into games with other users with the same control input regardless of platform.
@BacklogBrad that's not the debate. You seem to be saying controller and kb were equal. They are not. I never said I only played controller. I'm lucky enough to have a pc and a xbox.
@Jonnybekeww i never said the two inputs were equal i said the playing field between pc and Xbox is equal because mouse/keyboard and controllers are available on both platforms.
Getting rid of pc players does not get rid of mouse and keyboard.
Plus it's not universal that mouse and keyboard will make you better. Those players that stick with really low sensitivity controller settings will likely struggle mightily with the mouse. If you switch from controller to mouse and keyboard for the first time you will be absolute trash for a while. Mouse and keyboard may have a higher ceiling than a controller for most people (I've seen some incredible controller players) but you need to put in a ton of practice to get good with a mouse and keyboard just like anything else.
It's not surprising that the people that are most adamant that mouse and keyboard is such an advantage are people that do not use a mouse and keyboard.
@BacklogBrad i don't know what the little paragraph was about. But I play more video games in a month than you do in a year. It's cute you are trying to tell me how it's works lol have a good one.
It's not so much input device problem imo, more like cheating issue. PC players use cheats more often too.
Sure kb/m is better in shooters, but we must remember that not every one who plays on PC is good player. I have played enough PC shooters that I know there are lots of players who doesn't hit anywhere even with mouse. And also there are also players who really are good with controller.
@Justifier yup, i use controller on pc since keyboard and mouse is so uncomfortable, and im really good at shooters
Depends on the game.
In Gears 5 they enabled crossplay because PC players couldn't find a match. Adding PS to Xbox wouldn't solve that in any way.
I always turn off crossplay unless you can't get a game without it.
The proliferation of cheats mods and hacks on PC is one of the many reasons I'm not keen on pc gaming at all.
I'm amazed that so many people who would normally state 'choice is a good thing' would seek to deny people this choice. I've given up trying to figure out people's motivations 🤷
If the switch 2 joycons have mouse functionality which they appear to, won't that make crossplay with switch "unfair" too? They already have a wide audience using gyro controls. See what I mean about even playing fields never being attainable?
Even without cross play xbox will span a vast array of devices and with that many different input options.
@Jonnybekeww the classic "i play more than you." Great contribution to the topic at hand.
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