Arc Raiders crossplay is supported across PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, so you can squad up with friends no matter which platform they bought the game on.
This is good news if your group is split between Steam, Epic Games Store, PS5 and Xbox. Embark Studios and the publishers have confirmed cross-platform social play for the launch.
Below I unpack what that actually means in practice, what limitations to expect, and how to get the most out of crossplay in Arc Raiders.
So, Is Arc Raiders Crossplay?
Yes. Arc Raiders is fully crossplay across Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. You can team up and play with friends no matter which of those platforms they are on.
What “crossplay” means for Arc Raiders
When people say “crossplay” they usually mean two things: 1) the ability to play in the same matches with players on different platforms, and 2) cross-progression or cross-save so your items and progress follow you across platforms.
Arc Raiders supports both cross-platform play and cross-progression, provided you use the game’s account system (Embark ID).
That means you should be able to party with a friend on PS5 while you’re on Steam and still keep progress and cosmetics synced when you switch platforms.
Important load-bearing facts up front:
- Arc Raiders launches on Steam, Epic Games Store, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
- Crossplay between PC, PlayStation and Xbox is supported at launch.
- Cross-progression is available through an Embark ID account.
The big caveat: no console-only crossplay pool
One frequent question is whether PlayStation and Xbox players can be matched only with other console players while still being able to play together, sometimes called “console-only crossplay.”
Arc Raiders does not offer a console-only crossplay pool. In other words, you cannot have a PS5 vs Xbox-only matchmaking bubble that excludes PC; console players are part of the wider crossplay population.
Why does this matter? Some console players prefer being matched only with other console players to avoid situations where they face mouse-and-keyboard users on PC, which can feel advantageous.
Because Arc Raiders does not provide a separate PS5-vs-Xbox console-only pool, that kind of segregation is not possible at launch. Expect console matches to potentially include PC players unless crossplay is disabled in settings (more on that next).
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Can you turn crossplay off?
Yes. Arc Raiders includes a toggle to disable crossplay in the game settings, so if you prefer to stick to platform-only matchmaking you can opt out.
That said, due to the lack of a console-only pool, turning crossplay off on console will confine you to players who have also turned crossplay off on the same console family, which may affect matchmaking times and available opponents.
Cross-progression and Embark ID
If you want your progress and cosmetics to travel with you across PC and console, register an Embark ID and link the platforms you use.
Embark’s account system is how the game tracks and syncs progression across stores (Steam, Epic) and consoles. Most coverage and the official FAQ highlight cross-progression as a supported feature at launch, but make sure you follow Embark’s linking steps early so you do not risk fragmented progression between platforms.
Platform availability and launch details
Arc Raiders has been confirmed for release on Steam and Epic Games Store for PC, and on PlayStation Store and Microsoft Store for consoles.
The official release date and preloads have been posted by the publisher, and there were large-scale public playtests ahead of launch across all those platforms.
If you plan to play day one, check the store for preloads and whether you need to claim access to any early playtest.
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Matchmaking and balance concerns
Crossplay brings more players into the matchmaking pool, which is usually a plus for faster queue times and better match quality.
But naturally there are concerns about player input differences. A few community threads and reporting have noted players asking how the game handles aim assist, input parity, and whether PC players will dominate.
Embark’s messaging so far suggests they are aware of the balancing questions, but if you are particularly sensitive to input differences you should try toggling crossplay or forming platform-matched parties.
Reporting and early post-launch patches may also tweak matchmaking and aim assist behavior. Don’t expect immediate perfection; crossplay titles often need some balancing in the weeks after release.
Practical tips for players
If you want a smooth crossplay experience, here’s what to do:
- Create and link your Embark ID early. This is the key to cross-progression and to party up across platforms.
- Party up via the in-game social or friend system rather than relying on platform friends only. Cross-platform parties typically need the game’s own friend system to function across stores. Check the game’s social UI.
- If you prefer platform-only opponents, try the crossplay toggle — but be aware of the console-only limitation and possible longer queue times.
- If you play on console and are worried about PC mouse-and-keyboard players, test both enabled and disabled crossplay and see which matchmaking experience you like best. Community feedback will evolve quickly after launch.
Common questions answered
- Will PC players be matched with PS5 and Xbox players? Yes, Arc Raiders supports full crossplay across PC, PlayStation and Xbox.
- Can PS5 players only play with Xbox players without PC involvement? No. The game does not offer a console-only crossplay pool.
- Does cross-progression work? Yes, using Embark ID you can sync progress across platforms.
- Where can I get the game? Steam and Epic for PC, PlayStation Store for PS5, Microsoft Store for Xbox. Preloads and launch details were published by the team.
Arc Raiders aims to be a cross-platform experience from day one, covering Steam, Epic Games Store, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
That is great for groups who want to play together regardless of hardware. The notable limitation is the lack of a console-only crossplay pool, which may frustrate players who want console-versus-console matching that excludes PC.
In practice you will be able to toggle crossplay, link your Embark ID for cross-progression, and form cross-platform parties, but expect community debates about balance and matchmaking in the weeks after launch.
Keep an eye on official patch notes and the Arc Raiders Discord for any tweaks developers push to crossplay behavior and settings.
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