The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) has become one of the most popular MMORPGs since its release, offering players a vast, immersive world filled with quests, dungeons, and rich lore. With the growing trend of cross-platform play in modern gaming, many players are wondering if ESO supports crossplay, allowing them to join forces with friends across different platforms. In this article, we’ll delve into whether The Elder Scrolls Online offers crossplay and what that means for players in 2024.
What is Crossplay in Gaming?
Crossplay, or cross-platform play, refers to the ability of players on different gaming platforms—such as PC, PlayStation, and Xbox—to play together in the same game. This feature has become increasingly popular as it allows friends to team up or compete against each other, regardless of the device they’re using. Crossplay is especially valuable in MMORPGs like ESO, where community and collaboration are key aspects of the gameplay experience.
Current State of Crossplay in Elder Scrolls Online
As of 2024, The Elder Scrolls Online does not support crossplay between different platforms. This means that players on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox cannot play together in the same game world. Each platform has its own separate servers, meaning that players are restricted to interacting with others on the same platform.
For instance, if you’re playing ESO on a PlayStation, you’ll only be able to join forces with other PlayStation users. The same applies to Xbox and PC players, who are confined to their respective communities.
Why Doesn’t ESO Support Crossplay?
The absence of crossplay in ESO is primarily due to the complexities involved in syncing gameplay across different platforms. Each platform has its own technical infrastructure, and integrating these systems can pose significant challenges. Additionally, there are differences in update schedules, content availability, and performance capabilities across platforms, which can make it difficult to provide a uniform experience for all players .
Cross-Generation Play: A Step Towards Flexibility
While crossplay between different platforms isn’t available, ESO does offer cross-generation play. This feature allows players on different generations of the same console family to play together. For example, PlayStation 4 players can join the same game world as PlayStation 5 users, and the same applies to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S players.
This cross-generation play helps bridge the gap between older and newer hardware, ensuring that friends can continue playing together even if they upgrade to a newer console.
Will Crossplay Ever Come to Elder Scrolls Online?
While there has been no official announcement regarding the introduction of full crossplay in ESO, the gaming industry is continually evolving, and the demand for crossplay features is growing. The development team at ZeniMax Online Studios has acknowledged the interest in crossplay, but implementing such a feature would require significant changes to the game’s architecture.
For now, ESO players will need to continue playing on the same platform as their friends if they want to team up for quests and adventures. However, it’s always possible that future updates or expansions could bring new features that enhance cross-platform interaction.
The State of Crossplay in ESO Today
While The Elder Scrolls Online offers an expansive and engaging world for players to explore, it currently lacks crossplay capabilities between different platforms. Players are restricted to playing with others on the same platform, which may limit some opportunities for collaboration. However, the introduction of cross-generation play offers a glimmer of flexibility for those within the same console family.
As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, it’s worth keeping an eye on updates from ZeniMax Online Studios. Until then, players can enjoy the rich content and community that ESO has to offer, knowing that their adventures are best shared with those on the same platform.