Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. Guides

Overwatch cross-platform support: Everything we know

By

Since the game’s launch in 2015, Overwatch players have been begging for cross-platform support. It’s easy to see why, too. Overwatch lives among massively popular, multiplayer-only shooters like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Paladins: Champions of the Realm, all of which support crossplay. Thankfully, Blizzard has finally added the feature before the launch of Overwatch 2. 

Further reading

Is Overwatch cross-platform?

Mei in Overwatch.
Blizzard

Yes, after months of waiting, Blizzard has finally launched crossplay into Overwatch on all platforms. Cross-platform support is now available on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch as part of the matchmaking process.

Recommended Videos

Cross-platform support comes through a free Battle.net account, so you’ll need to make one if you’re playing on console. To help players along, Blizzard is giving away a free golden loot box to anyone who signs up for a Battle.net account before the end of 2021. Crossplay is enabled by default on PC and consoles, and console players will be able to turn it off if they want, although you still need to have linked a Battle.net account whether or not you intend on using crossplay. PC players can’t turn off the feature.

Related

Although crossplay has come to Overwatch, cross-progression isn’t. You have to start from scratch when moving between different platforms, so none of your skins, experience, or other unlocks will transfer. It could come in the future, though.

How to enable crossplay in Overwatch

Character in overwatch holding up a shield.
Blizzard

Crossplay is available in all playlists currently in Overwatch, with the exception of the competitive mode. This mode will default to keeping console players playing against each other, and PC players playing against PC players to avoid any advantages PC players have. When a PC player groups up with one or more console player, they will be placed into the PC player matchmaking pool by default.

Now that crossplay is live, we mentioned console players will be required to sign up or link their Battle.net account to keep playing online, so create an account and link the platform you play on (similar to Call of Duty: Warzone). Once you’re done, you’ll be able to see players on other platforms through your Battle.net friends list.

The keyboard and mouse problem

Wrecking Ball in Overwatch.
Blizzard

There are other massive hurdles for Overwatch cross-platform support: The keyboard and mouse. On consoles, Overwatch supports a controller, and on PC, it supports a keyboard and mouse. Despite supporting keyboard and mouse inputs, you can’t use this setup on a PS4 or Xbox One. There are ways around this problem that involve spending a few hundred dollars on an adapter, but we wouldn’t recommend going that route.

In a forum post, Kaplan stated, “The Overwatch team objects to the use of mouse and keyboard on console.” This statement isn’t an explicit ban threat, but it’s close. Understanding the team’s rationale is essential for soothing frustrations over a lack of support, of course. Suppose one person is using a keyboard and mouse and everyone else uses a controller. The person with a keyboard has an unfair advantage. Sure, you could point to other games that support crossplay regardless of your input device (Modern Warfare is among them). For Overwatch, though, the dev team has decided that it’s too significant an advantage for this particular game.

The Overwatch League is the most noticeable explanation for this position. A player on Overwatch likely has skills that favor one device or another. Their skillset is typically either best on a controller or a keyboard and mouse, and not on both. That said, until all of the different factors across devices become consistent, it isn’t easy to accurately compare skills across matchup results. And since professional players are recognized for measurable skill, consistency must be prioritized across gameplay. Overwatch is recognized for its long-time passion for the playstyle.

Editors' Recommendations

Jacob Roach
Jacob Roach
Lead Reporter, PC Hardware
Jacob Roach is the lead reporter for PC hardware at Digital Trends. In addition to covering the latest PC components, from…
PS5 slim vs. PS5: everything you need to know about the new PS5 model
The slimmer PS5 console laying on its side.

Sony consoles have always gotten multiple versions and editions ever since the original PlayStation 1. As technology becomes cheaper and more advanced, refreshed models that are both smaller and less expensive to produce typically come out a couple of years into a console's life cycle, and we have now hit that point for the PS5. The PS5 slim, as it is being referred to, is a smaller version of the launch models, and will eventually become the standard unit available to consumers once the stock of existing PS5s runs out. However, is this version worth getting if you're an existing owner, or is it only for new purchasers? There's also the question about which of the two versions to buy. To answer all these questions, let's compare the PS5 slim to the OG PS5.
Specs

Let's start with the most important part, which is whether or not there's more power under the hood of the PS5 slim compared to the launch models. No, the PS5 slim is not in any way more powerful than an existing PS5. This is not a PS5 Pro, which is currently just a rumor. Games will not look, run, or play any better or worse on either version. The only difference in terms of specs is that the slim versions have slightly more storage space at 1 TB compared to 825GB, which is just a small 175GB upgrade. There's nothing here that makes it worth buying a new system when you can expand the storage of your console yourself.
Size
Obviously, a slim model would mean that this new version would be smaller than the frankly comically large launch version. While that's true, it isn't a huge reduction in size. The PS5 Slim disc version weighs 3.2 kilograms (18% less that the original PS5) while the discless version weighs 2.6kg (24% less), and both are 30% smaller by volume.
Versions
Once again, you will have the option to choose between an all-digital and standard version of the PS5 Slim. However, unlike the original discless PS5, the new version will give you the option to add a disc drive later on if you purchase a separate detachable drive.
Price
The current PS5 models are priced at $400 and $500 for the digital and standard versions, respectively. While the PS5 slim standard version that includes the disc drive will remain at $500, the discless version will get a price increase to $450. This price increase had already been seen in other territories outside the U.S., but will now be introduced here once these new versions launch. It is also worth mentioning that the detachable disc drive you can get to upgrade your discless version will cost $80, meaning you would spend more to buy the digital version and add the drive than you would by simply buying the version with the drive already included.

Read more
Is Payday 3 cross-platform?
Four players fight in Payday 3.

The PayDay series made a name for itself among the other contemporary co-op shooters of the time by putting players in the role of criminals attempting to pull off various heists. Each game in the series has upped the ante on more creative and fun places to burgle, break into, and extort for the titular payday. The latest entry, PayDay 3, offers plenty of new content as expected, but retains that core formula of teaming up with friends to coordinate the perfect job. However, it has been many years since the last entry so this will be the first exposure to the series for many players. With the game being available on all platforms, and even included at launch on Game Pass, you may want to stake out this article to learn if PayDay 3 supports cross-play.
Does Payday 3 have crossplay?

Yes, PayDay 3 fully supports crossplay between all platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. When booting up the game for the first time you will be prompted on whether or not you want to enable cross-play, so simply accept it and you will be good to go. If you select to not enable it, you can always switch it back on in the settings menu.

Read more
Is Baldur’s Gate 3 cross-platform?
A Baldur's Gate 3 character lights the way.

The biggest CRPG of the year, if not ever, promises a huge adventure that you are encouraged to play cooperatively with up to four friends. While online play is expected in the modern era, Baldur's Gate 3 surprisingly also supports split-screen co-op on every PC and PS5 as well, meaning you can run an entire campaign with a friend side-by-side. As great as all that is, the vast majority of people will likely want to play with a friend in the comfort of their own homes, which might mean a PC player and a PS5 player will want to team up. Is that possible in Baldur's Gate 3? Here's a quick rundown of this game's cross-platform support.
Is Baldur's Gate 3 cross-platform?

In short, no, Baldur's Gate 3 will not allow for cross-platform play. If you are playing on PC, then anyone you want to play online with will also need to be on PC, and the same is true for PS5. While this is true for now, it is possible that Larian Studios may add cross-platform play in a future update, but for now, it is safer to assume it won't come and make your purchasing decision accordingly.

Read more