As a passionate gamer who’s spent countless hours exploring the hauntingly beautiful world of Elden Ring, I know how thrilling it is to team up with friends or face off against rivals in the Lands Between.
You’re probably wondering, “Can I play Elden Ring with my buddies on different platforms?” It’s a fair question, especially in 2025, when crossplay is becoming a staple in multiplayer gaming.
What Is Crossplay, and Why Does It Matter to You?
Crossplay, or cross-platform play, allows gamers on different systems, like PlayStation, Xbox, or PC, to play together in the same online session. If you’re on a PS5 and your friend is on a PC, crossplay would let you team up seamlessly.
For a game like Elden Ring, where cooperative play and invasions add so much to the experience, crossplay could make it easier to connect with your friends, no matter what platform they’re using. But does Elden Ring deliver on this front?
Does Elden Ring Support Crossplay?
I hate to disappoint you, but Elden Ring does not support full crossplay across different platforms. This means you can’t join a multiplayer session with someone on a different platform family, like PlayStation and Xbox, or PC and consoles.
According to multiple sources, including TechRadar and Windows Central, FromSoftware’s masterpiece restricts multiplayer to within the same platform family.
So, if you’re on a PlayStation 5, you won’t be able to summon your friend on an Xbox Series X for a co-op battle against a tough boss like Malenia.
However, there’s a silver lining: Elden Ring does support cross-gen multiplayer within the same platform family. This means players on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 can play together, and the same goes for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
If you’re on PC, though, you’re limited to playing with other PC users. This cross-gen compatibility is a nice touch, especially if you and your friends are on different generations of the same console brand, but it’s not the full cross-platform experience you might be hoping for.
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Why Doesn’t Elden Ring Have Full Crossplay?
You might be scratching your head, wondering why a game as massive as Elden Ring doesn’t support crossplay in 2025.
As someone who’s followed FromSoftware’s games for years, I can tell you their focus has always been on delivering a meticulously crafted single-player experience with multiplayer as a secondary feature.
Implementing crossplay across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC is no small feat; it requires significant technical coordination between platforms, which can be challenging for a developer like FromSoftware, known for prioritizing gameplay depth over broad online features.
Another factor is the potential for cheating, especially on PC. I’ve seen discussions on platforms like Reddit where players express concerns about hackers in multiplayer sessions, particularly in invasions.
Some console players prefer the lack of crossplay with PC to avoid these issues. For example, a Reddit thread highlighted that while crossplay could expand the player pool, it might also expose console players to PC cheaters, which could disrupt the carefully balanced PvP and co-op dynamics.
What About Elden Ring: Nightreign and Shadow of the Erdtree?
If you’re excited about Elden Ring: Nightreign, the multiplayer-focused roguelike spin-off released in 2025, you might be hoping for crossplay support. Unfortunately, the news isn’t great here either.
Sources like PC Gamer and Windows Central confirm that Nightreign does not support crossplay, meaning PC players can only team up with other PC players, while PlayStation and Xbox players are limited to their respective platforms (though cross-gen play is supported within those families).
This has frustrated some fans, as seen in posts on X where players lamented not being able to play with friends on different systems.
As for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, there’s no indication that it introduced crossplay either. VideoGamer notes that crossplay is unlikely for the DLC, keeping the multiplayer structure consistent with the base game.
So, if you’re planning to explore the new content with friends, you’ll need to be on the same platform family.
Cross-Progression: Can You Carry Your Progress Across Platforms?
Another question you might have is whether Elden Ring supports cross-progression—meaning, can you take your save file from one platform to another? Sadly, the answer is no. Your progress is tied to the platform you’re playing on.
If you start a game on PS5, you can’t transfer your character to PC or Xbox. This lack of cross-progression can be a bummer if you switch platforms or want to play on a different system at a friend’s house.
Sources like Esports.net confirm that Elden Ring does not offer cross-progression, so you’ll need to stick to one platform for your Tarnished’s journey.
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How Does Elden Ring’s Multiplayer Work?
Even without crossplay, Elden Ring’s multiplayer is a core part of its charm, and I’ve had some unforgettable moments summoning allies or fending off invaders. Here’s a quick rundown of how it works, so you can make the most of it:
- Cooperative Play: You can summon other players to help you tackle tough areas or bosses by using the Tarnished’s Furled Finger item to leave a summon sign. Your friends can then see and activate your sign to join your world, provided you’re on the same platform family (e.g., PS4/PS5 or Xbox One/Series X). You’ll need a Furlcalling Finger Remedy to see summon signs, which you can craft or find in the game.
- Invasions: If you’re playing co-op or using certain items, other players can invade your world for PvP battles. This is limited to the same platform family, so PC players won’t invade PlayStation sessions, for example.
- Password System: To play with specific friends, you can set a multiplayer password in the game’s menu. This ensures only players with the matching password can see your summon sign, making it easier to connect with your crew. I’ve used this feature countless times to team up with friends for boss fights—it’s a lifesaver!
- Cross-Gen Support: As mentioned, PS4 and PS5 players can connect, as can Xbox One and Series X/S players. This is handy if you haven’t upgraded to the latest console yet.
For a seamless experience, make sure you and your friends are using the same multiplayer password and are in the same in-game region.
Sources like Game8 and Charlie INTEL emphasize that while crossplay isn’t available, the cross-gen support and password system make it easier to connect within the same platform ecosystem.
Will Elden Ring Ever Get Crossplay?
You’re probably wondering if FromSoftware might add crossplay in the future. While there’s no official word from the developers or Bandai Namco as of June 2025, the sentiment on X and Reddit suggests fans are eager for it.
Posts on X show frustration over the lack of crossplay in Nightreign, and some players hope future updates or titles might include it. However, given FromSoftware’s track record with games like Dark Souls, which also lacked full crossplay, I’m skeptical we’ll see it added to Elden Ring anytime soon.
That said, the gaming industry is moving toward crossplay as a standard, so there’s always a chance FromSoftware could surprise us, especially if fan demand grows louder. For now, though, you’ll need to coordinate with friends on the same platform.
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Final Thoughts
As much as I’d love to tell you that Elden Ring lets you team up across all platforms, the reality is that crossplay is limited to cross-gen support within the same platform family. You can enjoy co-op and PvP with friends on PS4/PS5 or Xbox One/Series X/S, but PC players are restricted to their own ecosystem.
The lack of full crossplay and cross-progression might disappoint you, especially if your gaming group spans multiple platforms, but the game’s multiplayer is still a blast when you’re on the same system.
For Elden Ring: Nightreign and the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, the story is the same—no crossplay, but cross-gen support within platforms. While there’s hope for crossplay in future FromSoftware titles, there’s no guarantee it’ll come to Elden Ring.
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