‘Overwatch’ now supports cross-play across PC and consoles
Overwatch is finally embracing crossplay which means, starting today, gamers across PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox and PC can now connect and play with friends no matter what platform they use.
The new update now lets players from the four platforms engage in Quick Play, Arcade, and Custom game modes. PC users will have the crossplay automatically enabled while Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch players need to set up or link their Battle.net account to their consoles in order to access crossplay. Once done, players will be able to join with other players from their Battle.net friend list regardless of the platform.
On the other hand, Overwatch’s Competitive rank mode will be locked. Although console players will be able to play with each other, PC players will only be matched with other PC players. Blizzard has not clarified as to why they’re doing this but it is probably safe to assume that this is to give players an equal chance since using a mouse and keyboard is more advantageous compared to controllers.
Cross-Play has arrived.
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) June 22, 2021
You can now group up with friends across the globe on PC, @xbox, @playstation and @nintendo.
Link your console to your https://t.co/Vqndyf7pSK account and play with your friends! pic.twitter.com/FpOyCXT9sY
The new update, notably, only supports cross-play between platforms and the idea of cross-progression won’t be present for now, however, not impossible. This means players can play across platforms but the collectibles they've acquired through the years such as skins, emotes, and others cannot be accessed elsewhere. According to John Lafleur, technical director for Overwatch, it would be better to tackle cross-play first before exploring the idea of cross-save progression for the future.
“However, given the additional complexities of cross-progression, it would probably make most sense to tackle cross-play, first, and then explore progression as a potential add-on, if we go this route,” Lafleur said in a Reddit Overwatch developer AMA.
The new cross-play feature isn’t the only thing Overwatch fans can look forward to. The game has also released a new challenge called Ashe’s Deadlock Challenge which offers four new cosmetics, including a Legendary Ashe and B.O.B. Skin if a player plays up to 27 games.