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Can You Play MW2 on Multiple Consoles? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you can play Modern Warfare 2 (MW2) on multiple consoles, but with a few important caveats. The magic behind this capability lies in cross-progression and your Activision account. As long as you link your accounts across different platforms (PlayStation, Xbox, PC), your progress, unlocks, and customizations will carry over. However, you’ll still need to purchase the game separately for each platform you intend to play on, unless you are leveraging Xbox’s game sharing feature.

This means if you own MW2 on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and both are linked to the same Activision account, your level, unlocked weapons, operator skins, and battle pass progress will be synchronized between the two. You can seamlessly switch between consoles without losing your hard-earned rewards.

Understanding Cross-Progression and Account Linking

The foundation of playing MW2 on multiple consoles is understanding how cross-progression works and correctly linking your accounts.

What is Cross-Progression?

Cross-progression is a feature that allows your game progress to be synchronized across different platforms. In the context of MW2, this means that all your in-game achievements, such as your player level, weapon unlocks, battle pass tiers, and unlocked customizations, are tied to your Activision account, not to a specific console.

Linking Your Activision Account

To enable cross-progression, you need to link your Activision account to your accounts on each platform you want to play on (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Steam, or Battle.net). This is a relatively straightforward process:

Create or Log in to Your Activision Account: If you don’t already have one, create an Activision account on the Activision website. If you do, simply log in.
Link Your Platform Accounts: Navigate to the “Account Linking” section of your Activision account settings. Here, you’ll find options to link your PlayStation Network ID, Xbox Live Gamertag, Steam account, or Battle.net account. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the linking process for each platform.
Verify the Connection: Once you’ve linked your accounts, double-check to ensure they are correctly connected. You should see confirmation that each platform account is successfully linked to your Activision account.

Purchasing the Game on Multiple Platforms

While cross-progression allows you to maintain your progress across different consoles, it doesn’t grant you free access to the game on every platform. You’ll typically need to purchase MW2 separately for each platform you wish to play on.

Digital vs. Physical Copies

If you prefer digital copies, you’ll need to purchase the game through the respective platform’s online store (PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Steam, or Battle.net). If you prefer physical copies, you’ll need to purchase a physical disc for each console you own.

Cross-Gen Bundles

In some cases, you may find “Cross-Gen Bundles” that include both the current-gen and last-gen versions of the game for a specific console family (e.g., Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S). These bundles can be a cost-effective way to own the game on both generations of consoles within the same ecosystem.

Call of Duty Points (CP)

It’s important to note that Call of Duty Points (CP) are platform-specific. This means that CP purchased on one platform (e.g., PlayStation) will not be available on another platform (e.g., Xbox), even if both accounts are linked to the same Activision account. Any items bought with the CP will be available across platforms.

Xbox Game Sharing Explained

Xbox Game Sharing offers a way for two players to share digital games, including MW2, on separate consoles. This feature allows you to designate one console as your “Home Xbox.” Anyone who logs in to your Home Xbox can play any digital games you own, even when you’re not logged in.

How Xbox Game Sharing Works

Designate a Home Xbox: On the console you want to share games from, go to Settings > Personalization > My home Xbox.
Make This My Home Xbox: Select “Make this my home Xbox.”
Share Your Games: Now, anyone who logs in to this console will have access to your digital game library.

On the other console, log in with your own account. You’ll be able to play the games you own digitally on this console, even if someone else is playing on your Home Xbox.

Limitations of Xbox Game Sharing

Only One Home Xbox: You can only designate one console as your Home Xbox at a time.
Account Access Required: The person you’re sharing with needs access to your account credentials to set the Home Xbox initially.
Simultaneous Play: You can’t both play the same game simultaneously using game sharing. One of you will need to purchase the game separately.

Why Can’t I Share My MW2 Game?

Family sharing for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on Steam has been disabled a few days after the game launched. The feature was switched off in an update deployed without warning or communication from Activision. You can spot the change in an update listed on SteamDB.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about playing MW2 on multiple consoles:

Can I use the same Activision account on multiple consoles simultaneously?
- Yes, you can use the same Activision account on multiple consoles, but you can only play on one console at a time.
If I buy the Cross-Gen Bundle, do I get two copies of the game?
- The Cross-Gen Bundle typically includes licenses for both the current-gen and last-gen versions of the game within the same console family (e.g., Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S). You don’t get two separate copies, but rather access to the game on both generations.
Will my progress from the MW2 beta carry over to the full game?
- No, progress from the MW2 beta did not carry over to the full game. Everyone started fresh upon the game’s official release.
What happens if I uninstall MW2 from one console?
- Uninstalling the game from one console does not affect your progress or your ability to play the game on other consoles linked to your Activision account. Your progress is stored on Activision’s servers.
Can I game share MW2 on PlayStation?
- PlayStation has a similar feature to Xbox Game Sharing, allowing you to share digital games with other users on the same console or with a friend through account sharing.
Are there any penalties for using cross-progression?
- No, there are no penalties for using cross-progression. It’s a designed feature of the game that allows you to seamlessly switch between platforms without losing your progress.
How do I fix the “Friend request locked” error in MW2?
- The “Friend request locked” error can often be resolved by restarting the game. If the issue persists, check your internet connection and ensure that Activision’s servers are online. The game client is unable to properly connect to the official servers, which causes the game itself to malfunction.
Can I play MW2 offline on multiple consoles?
- While MW2 has a campaign mode that can be played offline, cross-progression and online multiplayer require an internet connection.
What do I do if I get banned during the MW2 beta or in the full game?
- If you believe you were wrongly banned, you can appeal the ban through Activision’s support channels. However, be aware that bans are typically issued for violations of the game’s terms of service, such as cheating or toxic behavior.
Will my rank reset every season in MW2?
- Skill Divisions do reset between Ranked Seasons. Each win also counts toward a Seasonal Win Challenge, which will offer new rewards each Ranked Season.
Can I create multiple Activision accounts to smurf in MW2?
- While you can create multiple Activision accounts, doing so to intentionally manipulate matchmaking or gain an unfair advantage (smurfing) is generally frowned upon and may violate the game’s terms of service.
Why is my friend locked in MW2, and how can I fix it?
- A quick restart may likely fix any ongoing issues with the game’s services and social features.
Can I get banned in MW2 beta?
- Yes, it is possible to get banned in MW2 beta if you are caught cheating or violating the game’s terms of service.
What happens when MW2 Season 1 resets progress?
- When the next major update of Modern Warfare 2 drops, all of the players’ progression in its DMZ mode from Season 1 will be wiped. Everyone will have their faction rank, missions, and inventory reset to the beginning.
Do you get anything for completing MW2 beta?
- By participating and progressing in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II Open Beta, players were eligible to receive Beta Participation Rewards. You could earn up to 10 different reward items for reaching various Operator Levels within the Beta and equip them as soon as they’re unlocked.

Conclusion

Playing MW2 on multiple consoles is entirely possible and convenient thanks to cross-progression. By linking your platform accounts to your Activision account, you can seamlessly switch between consoles without losing your hard-earned progress. Just remember that you’ll generally need to purchase the game separately for each platform, with Xbox Game Sharing providing a potential exception. Understanding these nuances ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience across all your gaming devices. Also, keep in mind that GamesLearningSociety.org provides excellent insight into the impact of gaming. The Games Learning Society is an organization that explores the educational aspects of video games.

Can you play MW2 on multiple consoles?