In the ever-evolving world of cooperative first-person shooters, Deep Rock Galactic Crossplay stands tall as one of the most beloved team-based games on the market. Developed by Ghost Ship Games and published by Coffee Stain Publishing, this sci-fi co-op shooter pits four dwarves against procedurally generated alien caves filled with danger, loot, and gallons of intoxicating humor. As gaming communities grow more connected across platforms, fans have increasingly asked: “Does Deep Rock Galactic support crossplay?”
The answer is a resounding yes, and in this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Deep Rock Galactic crossplay—how it works, which platforms are supported, how to enable it, and what benefits it brings to the table.
What Is Deep Rock Galactic?
Before diving into the crossplay mechanics, let’s briefly touch on what makes Deep Rock Galactic such an engaging experience. Released initially in early access back in 2018 and fully launched in May 2020, DRG (as fans call it) allows up to four players to team up as space dwarves—specialists equipped with unique classes like Gunner, Engineer, Driller, and Scout. Your mission? Mine resources, fight off alien threats, complete objectives, and survive together in a totally destructible environment.
With its tight gameplay loop, procedural level design, mod support, seasonal content updates, and strong community focus, DRG has earned critical acclaim and a dedicated player base across multiple platforms.
Does Deep Rock Galactic Support Crossplay?
Yes! In March 2022, Ghost Ship Games rolled out full crossplay support for Deep Rock Galactic, uniting players from different platforms onto a single shared universe. This means that whether you’re playing on Xbox, PlayStation, or PC, you can squad up with friends without any restrictions.
Crossplay is enabled by default in the game, making it easier than ever to jump into missions with your crew—no matter the platform.
Supported Platforms for Deep Rock Galactic Crossplay
As of 2024, here are the major platforms that support Deep Rock Galactic:
- PC (Steam & Windows Store / Game Pass for PC)
- Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
- PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5
Thanks to backward compatibility and unified development through the Xbox Game Studios partnership, all versions now operate seamlessly under the same crossplay infrastructure.
Additionally, if you play via Xbox Game Pass (on console or PC), you also get full access to crossplay features at no extra cost. That’s great news for subscribers looking to dive into the action with friends who own the game separately.
How Does Crossplay Work in Deep Rock Galactic?
Setting up Deep Rock Galactic Crossplay is incredibly straightforward. Once you launch the game, crossplay is automatically turned ON. There’s no complex configuration required. Here’s what happens behind the scenes:
- Unified Matchmaking: All players enter the same matchmaking pool regardless of their platform.
- Cross-Platform Friends List Integration: Using Ghost Ship’s custom cross-platform system called “Crossplay Invite,” you can add and invite friends even if they’re on another platform.
- Shared Progression and Cosmetic Items: Your character customization, inventory, and progress sync across devices thanks to account linking with your Ghost Ship Account.
- Dedicated Servers: To ensure smooth online performance, DRG uses dedicated servers that accommodate mixed-platform lobbies.
To take full advantage of these features, make sure you’ve linked your game profile to a Ghost Ship Games account. This ensures seamless syncing of cosmetics, achievements, and friend lists across all systems.
Setting Up Crossplay: Step-by-Step Guide
Want to squad up with buddies on other platforms? Follow these steps:
1. Create or Link a Ghost Ship Account:
- Visit the official website: https://account.ghostshipgames.com/
- Register using your email or link your Steam/Xbox/PSN ID.
- Once registered, log in and verify your account.
2. Add Friends Across Platforms:
- Go to the “Friends” tab within the game.
- Click “Add Friend.”
- Enter your friend’s nickname or code (shared via their Ghost Ship account).
- Send request – once accepted, you can join each other’s games directly!
Note: Traditional platform-based invites (like PSN or Xbox Live messages) won’t work cross-platform; always use the in-game system tied to Ghost Ship accounts.
3. Join or Host Missions:
Whether you’re hosting a mission or joining someone else’s game, the process remains identical to standard multiplayer sessions. No additional setup needed beyond being friends on the Ghost Ship network.
Benefits of Crossplay in Deep Rock Galactic
So why does crossplay matter so much in the context of Deep Rock Galactic? Let’s break down some key advantages:
1. Bigger Player Pool = Faster Matchmaking
By combining all active users into one ecosystem, wait times for matchmaking drop significantly—especially during off-peak hours. Whether you’re jumping into Quick Play, Mining Expedition, or Modded PvE missions, there’s usually someone ready to join.
2. Play With Friends Regardless of Platform
No longer are platform barriers an issue. Love your PS5 buddy but rocking a gaming PC? Doesn’t matter anymore. Grab your flamethrower and head into the caves together.
3. Unified Seasonal Content & Events
All players receive the same seasonal updates simultaneously. From new mission types to limited-time events like the Haunted Caves Halloween event or the Winter Holiday festivities, everyone gets equal access—regardless of device.
4. Shared Cosmetic Collections
Because progression is tracked centrally via Ghost Ship Accounts, unlocking those sweet beards, armor paints, or bosnian stick bug pets carries over wherever you log in next.
Are There Any Limitations to Crossplay?
While crossplay opens many doors, there are still a few limitations worth noting:
- Voice Chat Compatibility: Voice communication doesn’t currently bridge across platforms. For example, PlayStation users will only hear PS party chat, while PC gamers must rely on Discord or Steam voice tools.
- Input Method Differences: Some players argue that keyboard-and-mouse offer an edge in aiming compared to controllers. However, DRG focuses more on teamwork and strategy than twitch reflexes, minimizing competitive imbalance.
- Party Invites Must Use Ghost Ship System: You cannot send native Xbox or PlayStation invites to friends on other systems. Always use the in-game Ghost Ship friend system instead.
Despite these minor setbacks, the overall impact of crossplay remains overwhelmingly positive.
The Future of Crossplay and Community Engagement
Ghost Ship Games continues to listen closely to its passionate community. Post-launch content includes seasonal updates, balance tweaks, new biomes, enemies, and class overhauls. Thanks to robust backend architecture supporting crossplay, future expansions will likely continue embracing inclusivity across all platforms.
Rumors suggest potential additions like private dedicated servers, expanded mod support on consoles, and possibly even ranked PvP modes—all enhanced further through ongoing improvements to cross-platform functionality.
Final Thoughts: A Model for Co-Op Crossplay Done Right
Deep Rock Galactic sets a gold standard when it comes to implementing crossplay in a cooperative multiplayer title. It’s seamless, intuitive, and genuinely enhances the social core of the game—working alongside friends old and new, regardless of hardware preferences.
If you haven’t jumped in yet, now is the perfect time. Gather your squad, form a team of elite space miners, and blast your way through hordes of alien bugs in the name of glory (and minerals).
With full crossplay support between PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, Deep Rock Galactic isn’t just a great co-op shooter—it’s a shining example of how modern games can unite rather than divide players.
So grab that pickaxe, calibrate your sentry turrets, and prepare to dig deep—together.
