Since its launch in 2014, The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) has steadily grown into one of the most popular massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) in the world. Set in the expansive and immersive world of Tamriel, ESO offers players a vast array of quests, dungeons, PvP battles, and crafting opportunities. As with many online games, one question players often ask is whether The Elder Scrolls Online supports crossplay — the ability for players on different platforms to play together in the same world.
In this article, we'll dive into the specifics of The Elder Scrolls Online's crossplay situation, breaking down the current status, limitations, and the possible future of cross-platform play in the game.
What Is Crossplay?
Crossplay refers to the ability for players on different gaming platforms to interact in the same game. For example, players on a PlayStation 5 could join a server and play alongside players on Xbox, PC, or other supported platforms. This feature is especially important in multiplayer-focused games, as it removes the limitations of having to stick to the same console or PC platform as your friends to enjoy the game together.
Crossplay has become an increasingly popular feature in modern multiplayer games, with many titles now offering it as standard. However, not all games support crossplay due to technical challenges or platform restrictions.
Current Crossplay Status in Elder Scrolls Online
As of 2024, The Elder Scrolls Online does not support crossplay between different platforms. This means that players on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC cannot group up or play together in the same game world. Each platform operates its own isolated server ecosystem, preventing direct interaction between players on different systems.
However, this does not mean that ESO is entirely devoid of cross-platform features. There are certain exceptions to the rule that players should know about.
1. Cross-Progression Across Platforms
While ESO does not have full crossplay support, it does allow for cross-progression between certain platforms. This means that players can maintain their character and progress across different devices as long as they use the same account.
For example, if you start playing ESO on your PC but later decide to switch to a console, you can log into your account on that new platform and continue your progress from where you left off. This is particularly beneficial for players who prefer the flexibility of playing on different devices based on convenience or preference.
To enable this, you need to link your account to a Bethesda.net account. Once your accounts are linked, you can access your character and game progress on any supported platform.
2. The PlayStation and Xbox Ecosystems
Even though crossplay is not available, there are some important considerations within the ecosystems of PlayStation and Xbox. For example, players who are on the same console family — such as two players on different Xbox consoles or PlayStation models — can play together without issue.
In terms of cross-platform support between PlayStation and Xbox, unfortunately, this is where the split occurs. The game does not allow players on Xbox to interact with players on PlayStation. This restriction is largely due to the different backend systems that each console manufacturer uses, combined with platform policies.
In contrast, PC players on both Windows and Mac platforms can connect with each other without issues. PC players can also play with those on the Steam version or those who are using the standalone ESO client.
Why Does ESO Not Support Crossplay?
There are several reasons why The Elder Scrolls Online does not yet feature crossplay. Some of the primary reasons revolve around technical challenges, platform policies, and the nature of ESO's game design.
1. Platform-Specific Issues and Certification
One of the biggest hurdles to crossplay is platform certification. Each console, such as PlayStation and Xbox, has its own certification and quality assurance processes. These processes ensure that the game meets the specific requirements of that platform, including the user interface, performance optimizations, and even security protocols. This means that, in many cases, crossplay is simply not feasible unless the platforms agree to allow it.
Additionally, there are differences in how the game runs on different systems. While PC players may experience higher frame rates and graphical fidelity compared to console players, crossplay could result in unfair advantages or an imbalanced gaming experience. Some players on consoles have pointed out that the addition of mouse-and-keyboard input on PC can create a disparity between players.
2. Server Infrastructure and Maintenance
ESO is a massively multiplayer online game with thousands of players online at any given time. The game relies on robust server infrastructure to manage all of these players in a shared world. Currently, ESO uses separate server ecosystems for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC players. Adding crossplay would require significant changes to these server infrastructures to ensure that they can handle the integration of players from multiple platforms, and ensuring server stability and performance across platforms is a complex and resource-heavy task.
3. Business and Platform Policies
There are also business considerations. Both Sony (PlayStation) and Microsoft (Xbox) have their own policies about crossplay, which have historically been resistant to allowing it in some cases. Microsoft has been more open to crossplay in recent years, but Sony has been more cautious, even blocking crossplay in some popular titles. These platform-specific policies can complicate the implementation of crossplay in games like The Elder Scrolls Online, as they require agreements between the game's developers and the platform holders.
4. Player Experience and Game Balance
Another reason ESO has not yet implemented crossplay could be the desire to maintain a balanced and fair gameplay experience. ESO is an RPG with many variables — different consoles have different controller schemes, graphic capabilities, and performance optimizations. ESO's development team may have opted to avoid the potential imbalance caused by mixing PC, PlayStation, and Xbox players in the same space. There's also the issue of control schemes, as a mouse and keyboard setup on PC offers more precision than the controller setup on consoles, which could result in unfair advantages in combat or movement.
Will ESO Ever Support Crossplay in the Future?
While there has been no official confirmation from Zenimax Online Studios, the developers of The Elder Scrolls Online, about any plans to implement crossplay, it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility.
There are a few reasons why crossplay could be added in the future:
Improved Server Technology: As game servers become more advanced, and more games successfully implement crossplay, ESO may find a way to integrate crossplay more seamlessly without sacrificing server performance or stability.
Changes in Platform Policies: If Sony, Microsoft, or other platforms relax their policies on crossplay, it could become easier for ESO to support it across platforms. As we've seen with other games, like Fortnite, platform holders are becoming more open to crossplay, especially when there's a significant demand from the player base.
Community Demand: If enough players voice their desire for crossplay, it could encourage Zenimax to consider adding it in future updates. Community feedback plays a crucial role in the development of online games.
Conclusion
As of now, The Elder Scrolls Online does not support crossplay, meaning players on different platforms (PC, PlayStation, Xbox) cannot interact in the same world. However, the game does support cross-progression, allowing players to maintain their characters and progress across different devices. The reasons for the lack of crossplay are primarily related to technical challenges, platform policies, and game balance concerns.
While we can't predict the future, it's always possible that Zenimax Online Studios could eventually find a way to enable crossplay in ESO, especially as more developers explore the potential of cross-platform gaming. For now, though, players will have to stick to their platform-specific servers if they want to group up and explore Tamriel together.
Buying cheap ESO Gold in MMOexp.com, open the game and play now. If you're hoping to experience crossplay in ESO, keep an eye out for any official announcements from Zenimax regarding the feature — and in the meantime, enjoy the game in the rich, dynamic world it already provides!
MMOexp Elder Scrolls Online Team