Given the overwhelming popularity of crossplay among major games like Fortnite and Call of Duty, it’s little wonder that so many gamers are asking, ‘Is Overwatch cross-platform?’
Thankfully, with the arrival of Overwatch 2, there have been some major changes recently. So take a look below and see if you can enjoy full crossplay and cross-progression functionality with this legendary first-person shooter!
We can’t really answer a question like, ‘Is Overwatch cross-platform?’ without defining what we mean by cross-platform or crossplay. Simply put, it means being able to play the same game against other gamers despite them using a different platform.
So if you take a look at some of these games that are cross-platform, you’ll see that some of them let gamers compete whether they are using a PC, Xbox or a PlayStation. It makes it a lot easier to team up. Great for a team-focused game like Overwatch.
Such crossplay options are becoming ever more sought-after by gamers. Cross-platform functionality has become fairly common, with more and more developers catering to this trend. So is Overwatch cross-platform or does it have limitations on who you can play with?
While there were no crossplay options for Overwatch for quite some time, the game’s developers, Blizzard Entertainment, finally came to their senses and introduced cross-platform functionality. This feature was brought in ahead of the release of Overwatch 2. The sequel has had it as standard since its release.
As a result, there is now cross-platform support for gamers playing from a PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Switch. This move was introduced for Overwatch in June 2022, and it also features in Overwatch 2. As a result, you can now group up and play with friends regardless of what platform they are using and which generation of Overwatch you are playing.
Seeing as similar games like Valorant have no cross-platform functionality, the decision by Blizzard to allow crossplay could have a significant part to play in the Overwatch vs Valorant war.
While all of this is good news, it’s worth noting that you cannot play cross-platform in Overwatch’s competitive mode. Instead, PC gamers will have to play against PC gamers, console gamers against console gamers, and so on.
Such measures are in place to stop PC gamers from having an unfair advantage over console gamers through being able to use full keyboard functionality. So if you’re in a group with PC and console players and you want to play competitively, you’ll be put into a PC player matchmaker pool. Bear in mind that console players won’t have the Aim Assist feature here as it will be disabled by default.
In the recent updates during Overwatch Season 10, Blizzard has addressed long-standing problems. Players using mouse and keyboard on Overwatch console. This has meant big changes for Overwatch crossplay this season.
If players use a mouse and keyboard or similar add-ons in OW, they’ll be grouped with other players who use the same input type. This means a lot of players on console may end up with forced crossplay. If you use these inputs, you’ll be automatically grouped with mouse and keyboard. It’s just something players will have to deal with if they want to use mouse and keyboard. It effectively gives you a big advantage, so it’s fairer to be grouped with those on PC instead.
This means players have forced Overwatch crossplay in some situations on console. It isn’t going to affect those using controller on console though.
Source: Blizzard
The good news is that crossplay is already the default option if you are playing on a PC or a console. Just so you know, console gamers have the ability to turn it off. Which a lot of players prefer to do, to avoid playing with mouse and keyboard players.
It’s relatively easy to figure out how to add friends on Overwatch cross-platform. All that you have to do is to sign up to or log into your Battle.net account and then link up the platform you’re playing from. Overwatch 2 is fairly heavily tethered to your Battle Net, so this whole system is considerably more intuitive than it was in OW 1.
Next, you’ll see the other players on your Battle.net friends list. From here, you can simply launch a game and look forward to playing alongside or even against your friends. Simple!
So far, all of this has been pretty positive. However, what about Overwatch cross-progression? Can you carry over Overwatch ranks, skins, or experience you’ve earned from one place to another?
With Overwatch 2 switching to using your Battle.net account, cross progression now works in Overwatch 2! When you jump into Overwatch on a new platform, you’ll be prompted to connect your Battle Net account. Once you’ve done that, it logs into that same Overwatch player account. Everything will carry over.
By now you really shouldn’t have to ask questions like, ‘Is Overwatch cross-platform?’ anymore. Overwatch 2 has brought the game fully up to date with cross play and cross progression. Your Overwatch account is now a stand-alone player ID, accessible anywhere and able to play with anyone on other platforms.
This is great news and it should hopefully keep those questions like, ‘Is Overwatch dying?’ at bay for a few more years. So keep it here for more about when further crossplay functionality comes to the latest Overwatch game!
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