Should You Turn Off Crossplay? A Comprehensive Guide

The question of whether to disable crossplay isn’t a simple yes or no. It depends entirely on the game, your platform, your skill level, and your personal preferences. For many console players in competitive first-person shooters (FPS), the answer is often a resounding yes. The inherent advantage that PC players wielding a mouse and keyboard possess can be significant, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. However, disabling crossplay comes with its own set of trade-offs, primarily affecting matchmaking times and the ability to play with friends on other platforms. Weighing these factors is crucial to determining the best course of action for you. Ultimately, the decision depends on your specific gaming needs and priorities.

Understanding Crossplay Dynamics

The Perceived Imbalance

The biggest contention surrounding crossplay is the perceived—and often very real—imbalance it creates, especially in FPS titles. The precision and speed of a mouse coupled with the customizable binding options of a keyboard offer PC players a significant edge over console players using controllers. While console manufacturers have made strides in improving controller technology, the fundamental limitations of analog sticks versus a mouse remain.

This advantage manifests in several ways:

• Aiming Accuracy: Mouse aiming allows for far more precise and rapid target acquisition than controller aiming, even with aim assist.
• Reaction Time: Keyboard inputs are generally faster than controller inputs, enabling quicker reactions to in-game events.
• Movement Control: Keyboard movement offers greater control and allows for more complex maneuvers, such as strafing and bunny hopping.

The Specter of Cheating

Another major concern, particularly among Xbox players, is the prevalence of cheating on PC. While anti-cheat measures are constantly improving, PC’s open nature makes it more susceptible to the use of hacks and exploits. Encountering cheaters can ruin the competitive integrity of a match and lead to immense frustration.

The Benefits of Crossplay

Despite the drawbacks, crossplay offers considerable advantages:

• Expanded Player Base: Crossplay pools players from different platforms into a single matchmaking pool, leading to shorter queue times and a more active online community. This is especially beneficial for niche games or those with declining player bases.
• Playing with Friends: Perhaps the most significant benefit, crossplay allows you to play with friends regardless of their chosen platform. This removes the artificial barrier that platform exclusivity creates and fosters a more inclusive gaming experience.
• Extended Game Lifespan: By connecting players across different platforms, crossplay can help extend the lifespan of a game by maintaining a healthy player population.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Before disabling crossplay, consider these points:

• Game Type: The importance of precise aiming varies depending on the game. Crossplay might be less problematic in strategy games, racing games, or cooperative experiences like Overcooked All You Can Eat.
• Skill Level: If you are a highly skilled console player, you may be able to compensate for the inherent disadvantage and still compete effectively against PC players.
• Personal Preference: Some players simply prefer to play against others on the same platform, regardless of the potential benefits of crossplay.
• Input Method: Do you have the option to use a mouse and keyboard on your console? This can level the playing field in crossplay matches.
• Game Settings: Does the game offer granular crossplay settings, such as the ability to only match with other console players while still allowing friends on PC to join your party?

When to Disable Crossplay

• Competitive FPS Games: If you primarily play competitive FPS games on a console and are consistently frustrated by PC players, disabling crossplay is a reasonable option.
• Experiencing Frequent Cheating: If you encounter cheaters regularly, disabling crossplay can significantly reduce your exposure to this problem.
• Prioritizing Fairness: If you value a level playing field above all else, disabling crossplay can ensure that you are only competing against players using similar input methods.

When to Enable Crossplay

• Playing with Friends: If you have friends on other platforms, enabling crossplay is essential to playing together.
• Long Queue Times: If you experience excessively long queue times, enabling crossplay can help you find matches more quickly.
• Cooperative Games: In cooperative games, the competitive imbalance is less of an issue, and the ability to play with a larger pool of players is often more beneficial.
• Enjoying Variety: Some players enjoy the challenge of competing against players with different skill levels and playstyles.

The Future of Crossplay

Crossplay is likely here to stay and will become increasingly prevalent in future games. Developers are constantly working on ways to mitigate the imbalances it creates, such as input-based matchmaking and improved anti-cheat measures. Ultimately, the success of crossplay depends on finding a balance between inclusivity and competitive fairness. Game developers are constantly learning from the experiences of early crossplay implementation, and you can learn more through research shared via organizations like the Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if you disable crossplay?

Disabling crossplay restricts matchmaking to players on your platform, potentially increasing queue times but ensuring a more level playing field in input methods.

2. What are the disadvantages of crossplay?

Disadvantages include potential input imbalance (mouse & keyboard vs. controller), the possibility of increased exposure to PC cheaters, and potentially increased latency in cross-region matches.

3. Should I enable crossplay?

Enable crossplay if you want to play with friends on other platforms, shorten queue times, and are less concerned about competitive imbalances. Disable it if you prioritize fairness and want to avoid PC players.

4. Who has the advantage in crossplay?

Generally, PC players using a mouse and keyboard have a distinct advantage in competitive FPS games due to superior aiming and movement control.

5. Why is crossplay important?

Crossplay is important because it expands the player base, allows friends to play together regardless of platform, and extends the lifespan of games.

6. Are Xbox players fed up with crossplay?

Some Xbox players are frustrated with being forced to play against PC gamers, particularly in FPS games, due to the perceived advantage and the presence of cheaters.

7. Does cross-platform increase lag?

Crossplay can increase lag, especially if players are located in different geographic regions, as data has to travel longer distances. However, improvements in networking infrastructure have mitigated this issue to some extent.

8. Does crossplay affect connection?

Crossplay itself doesn’t inherently affect connection, but playing with users geographically far away can lead to higher latency due to the longer data travel distance.

9. What does crossplay mean?

Crossplay means a game allows players on different platforms (e.g., PlayStation, Xbox, PC) to play together online.

10. Is crossplay becoming more popular?

Yes, crossplay is becoming increasingly popular and is now a standard feature in many AAA multiplayer games.

11. Does crossplay cost money?

While most platform holders do not charge developers for enabling crossplay, there has been indication that Sony may charge a fee in some cases.

12. Can you turn off cross-platform?

Yes, most games with crossplay offer an option to disable it in the game’s settings, usually under “Account and Privacy” or a similar section.

13. Why not crossplay?

Reasons to avoid crossplay include a desire for a more level playing field (avoiding mouse and keyboard users), concerns about PC cheaters, and potential increases in lag.

14. Will crossplay become standard?

Cross-platform support is becoming more standard in most multiplayer game titles.

15. Are most games cross-platform now?

While not most games are cross-platform, the trend is certainly moving in that direction, with many new multiplayer titles offering at least partial cross-platform support.