The gaming industry has changed dramatically over the years, with more significant competitors and new gaming types emerging. Only the Xbox, PlayStation, and Windows PC were available 20 years ago. However, today’s PCs come with a variety of gaming operating systems, including MAC and Linux. Meanwhile, there is a wide range of console gaming available, including Nintendo products, two generations of Xbox and PlayStation consoles, streaming platforms such as Google Stadia, and mobile gaming, whether through the app store or app technologies such as Xbox Cloud gaming aka xCloud, to name a few.
There are a lot of buzzwords being thrown around these days as a result of the new and rising gaming sector. Cross platform games, crossplay games, cross generation games, and cross save games are just a few of the keywords. In this post, we’ll walk you through gaming terms, as well as a list of cross-platform and cross-play games, to help you get past the IT jargon and into the enjoyable stuff.
Table of Contents
What are Cross-Platform games, and how do they work?
The phrase “cross platform” refers to the software’s ability to run on a range of platforms. Let’s take it and apply it to gaming. All this means for games is that they are compatible with multiple gaming systems. To put it another way, it isn’t just for gamers. Take, for example, Microsoft. Halo 3 for the Xbox 360 was originally a console-exclusive game, but because to Microsoft’s growth in the PC player base and the development of the MCC on PC, Halo 3 is now technically a cross-platform game. Sony, on the other hand, boasts a slew of exclusives, including God of War, Gran Turismo, Horizon, Resistance, and others. Games like God of War 2018 and Horizon Zero Dawn, on the other hand, are no longer PlayStation exclusives and have recently been ported to the PC, years after their initial release. Nintendo’s IPs, on the other hand, are still extremely guarded, and are mostly exclusively available on the Nintendo Switch currently, becoming cross-platform only if they are playable on the Nintendo DS devices or the Nintendo Switch. That material can be found in the Nintendo Store’s backlog.
Gaming, on the other hand, is becoming increasingly competitive across a range of platforms. Nowadays, developers and publishers are less likely to compete for exclusives on specific platforms, preferring instead to expand their audience beyond those who are already devoted to their preferred gaming platform. More live service games are now available, aimed at a wide range of audiences. Consider Rainbow Six Siege, which is available on almost every modern gaming platform except mobile. It isn’t, however, confined to live-action games. Take, for example, Sekiro Shadows Die Twice. Because the Dark Souls franchise is so popular, making it a cross-platform game rather than an exclusive would be far better for business.
What exactly is cross-generational?
If you come across a game with cross-gen support, it indicates that it can be played on both new and old console generations. It wouldn’t matter which console you had if a game was launched on the Playstation 4 and 5 with cross-gen support. This is perfect for games that require real-time interaction. Let’s utilise Rainbow Six Siege as an example once more. Players who have worth do not lose their accounts as the years pass on the PS4, PC, or Xbox One. So, what’s the point of starting over on a fresh console? Cross generation, which mostly features cross save or cross progression if you want to allow players to preserve their progress, eliminates this issue for games with cross generation or crass save features. Games like Destiny 2 and Battlefield 2042, for example, do the same thing.
For the sake of game progression, cross generation is a crucial element. Stock shortages in the tech industry are another key factor. Since the pandemic began in 2020, few gamers have been able to get their hands on the new generation consoles due to semiconductor supply concerns. As a result, many people are still using older gaming devices, and cross-generation support is critical in ensuring that player bases are not divided based on wealth or supply.
What is the difference between cross advancement and cross save?
Any progress you’ve achieved in-game can be transferred between platforms through cross progression. Your game save data would be saved to an account, allowing you to continue playing without having to restart if you traded in your Playstation for an Xbox. Destiny 2 is one of the few games that includes this functionality on every platform it is available on. Meanwhile, Ubisoft titles share cross-progression between PC systems such as Stadia and Ubisoft+ account progress. Keep in mind that not all cross-save or cross-progression games are created equal. We recommend double-checking each game you’re interested in to ensure it meets your requirements. Furthermore, some games require you to tinker with account connectivity in order for the cross save or cross progression features to function properly.
Following the jargon, you’ll discover a list of games that are cross platform, cross play, have cross gen, or feature cross save.
Also check Gaming PC Under $500
Best Cross-Platform Games/ Crossplay Games
Halo Infinite: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Cloud Gaming
Destiny 2: PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Stadia
Fortnite: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Switch, PC
Overwatch: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Among Us: Android, iOS, PC, Switch
Apex Legends: Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch
Chivalry 2: PC, PS4, PS5 Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Xbox One, PS4, PC
Call of Duty: Warzone: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X, PS5
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War: PS5, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X/S
Call of Duty: Vanguard: PS5, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X/S
Minecraft: Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC
Rocket League: Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4
Gears Of War 4: PC, Xbox One
Other Cross Platform Games/ Crossplay Games
ARK: Survival Evolved: Xbox, PC
Among Us: Android, iOS, PC, Switch
Brawlhalla: Switch, Xbox One, PS4, PC
Dauntless: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Dead by Daylight: Switch, Xbox One, PS4, PC
Fantasy Strike: PS4, Switch, PC
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn: PS4, PC
Genshin Impact: PC, PS4, Android, iOS
Guilty Gear Strive: PS4, PS5, PC
Minecraft Dungeons: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch
MLB The Show 21: Xbox Series X, PS5, Xbox One, PS4
Need for Speed: Heat: PS4, Xbox One, PC
No Man’s Sky: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Paladins: Champions of the Realm: Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4
Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid: Switch, Xbox One, PS4, PC
Realm Royale: Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4
Rogue Company: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
SMITE: Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4
Spellbreak: Epic Games Store, Xbox One, PS4, Switch
Star Wars: Squadrons: Xbox One, PS4, PC
Super Mega Baseball 2: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Super Mega Baseball 3: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
World of Warships: Legends: PS4, Xbox One, PC
World War Z: Xbox One, PC
Also check Best Gaming PC Under $1500
Free Cross Platform Games/ Crossplay Games
Genshin Impact: Mobile, PC, PS4 & PS5
Fortnite: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Switch, PC
Apex Legends: Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch
Call of Duty: Warzone: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X, PS5
Halo Infinite: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Cloud Gaming
Rocket League: Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4
Realm Royale: Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4
Rogue Company: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
SMITE: Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4
Spellbreak: Epic Games Store, Xbox One, PS4, Switch
World of Warships: Legends: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Dauntless: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Warframe: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Xbox PC Crossplay Games
ARK: Survival Evolved: Xbox, PC
Gears Of War 4: PC, Xbox One
World War Z: Xbox One, PC
Deep Rock Galactic: Xbox One, PC
Sea Of Thieves: Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PC
Cross Platform Multiplayer Games
Battlefield 2042: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC
Destiny 2: PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Stadia
Fortnite: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Switch, PC
Overwatch: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Among Us: Android, iOS, PC, Switch
Apex Legends: Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch
Chivalry 2: PC, PS4, PS5 Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Xbox One, PS4, PC
Call of Duty: Warzone: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X, PS5
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X/S
Minecraft: Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC
Rocket League: Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4
Guilty Gear Strive: PS4, PS5, PC
Minecraft Dungeons: PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch
MLB The Show 21: Xbox Series X, PS5, Xbox One, PS4
Need for Speed: Heat: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Realm Royale: Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4
Rogue Company: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
SMITE: Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4
World of Warships: Legends: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Warframe: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC
David Shaner is a Senior Author of Best FREE Reviews. He lives in the United States of America. He’s best known for Technical Content Writing. He also writes reviews about various products online, gathering information from thousands of customers and compiling them into one.