Multiplayer is an ever-growing part of gaming. Players can reach out to compete or cooperate with other gamers across the world, all without leaving their seats. Cross-play is becoming more and more of a buzzword in multiplayer games. Letting people play together despite owning different consoles only expands a game's player base and widens the playing field.
However, not every game is cross-platform. Legal issues, balance concerns, or sheer brand loyalty can keep a game's multiplayer tied to a single platform, even if that game itself isn't an exclusive. However, plenty of modern games have launched with crossplay or added it later, only broadening their thrilling multiplayer experience.
10 Sea Of Thieves
Xbox and PC
Sea of Thieves has become a surprisingly long-lasting live-service game. After an underwhelming initial release, the game has attracted a wide fanbase due to its compelling core gameplay loop, tie-ins to other pirate media, and constant stream of new content. Sea of Thieves' crossplay ensures there's always a large number of players to interact with.
Some players prefer Sea of Thieves as a more solo experience, seeing other players as a distraction or a threat to their single-player sailing. However, many more enjoy the interplay between its player-versus-environment and player-versus-player gameplay. Sea of Thieves isn't on PlayStation, but Xbox and PC players have the option to share the game world with the other platform's players.
9 Gwent: The Witcher Card Game
PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Mobile
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's side card game Gwent has become so popular it eventually saw its own standalone release. Gwent: The Witcher Card Game expands on the mechanics and options of The Witcher's game to make it its own online entity. Gwent: The Witcher Card Game is one of the most beloved online card games, standing out in a crowded market.
Gwent lacks the endless content of other card games, and the developers plan to stop releasing new cards in 2023. However, it has plenty of variety already on top of a carefully-crafted balance. Players can find plenty of opponents because its PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile playerbase can compete with PC players. Its cross-platform support doesn't extend between the consoles themselves, however.
8 Call Of Duty: Warzone 2.0
PC, PlayStation, Xbox
The battle royale genre benefits heavily from cross-play. Each round of a battle royale usually requires dozens of people, sometimes as many as a hundred. As a result, it gets games going quickly if the title can pick from the combined list of players. Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 throws players on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox into the same fight for survival.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 is free to play, but that doesn't detract from its quality. It's a well-crafted and fast-paced shooter that combines battle royale mechanics with the series' trademark gunplay. Its cross-platform matchmaking ensures there are almost always tens of thousands of players online.
7 Among Us
PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC, and Mobile
Among Us isn't the pop culture juggernaut it once was, but it's still a widely-played game with an enthusiastic fanbase. Among Us' gameplay has slowly evolved due to fresh content updates and the playerbase's growing game knowledge. In addition, Among Us is fully cross-platform, ensuring players can always find a game.
Among Us players on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile devices all play in the same matches and go up against one another. It's one of the most widely-available cross-platform games in the industry. Gamers can use almost any device at their disposal to jump into Among Us' impostor and detective gameplay.
6 No Man's Sky
PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC
No Man's Sky has gone from one of gaming's most infamous misfires to a surprising success story. Developers Hello Games have worked on the game since release to add many of the originally promised features, and much more besides. One of No Man's Sky's biggest changes is the addition of multiplayer.
No Man's Sky works perfectly fine as a singleplayer game. However, its multiplayer has been greatly expanded following a lackluster beginning. Now, players can explore the galaxy together in large groups. No Man's Sky players can join others' games regardless of platform, although console players have to play in smaller groups than PC players.
5 Dead By Daylight
PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC
Dead by Daylight has proven itself one of the most successful multiplayer horror games of recent years. It has managed to outlast or outperform competitors like Friday the 13th: The Game and Evil Dead: The Game. It's become a horror tour de force, with players able to play with characters from franchises like Halloween, Stranger Things, and Resident Evil.
Dead by Daylight has had console cross-play since 2020. Players on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC can add each other as friends and play with one another. However, there are some limitations. Mobile gamers don't have cross-play with other platforms, instead limited to crossplay between Android and iOS.
4 Minecraft: Bedrock Edition
PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC, and Mobile
Minecraft is one of the biggest games of all time, with its sales surpassing other entire acclaimed series. It's been revolutionary in pop culture several times over and attracted an enduring playerbase. As beloved as Minecraft's singleplayer is, many enjoy playing it with their friends in a shared world.
Minecraft: Bedrock Edition is made for cross-play. Other versions like Minecraft: Java Edition are limited to specific platforms. However, Bedrock Edition players can play with others on any platform. It does require an Xbox Live account, however, even for players on PlayStation.
3 Fortnite
PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC, and Mobile
Fortnite is almost inescapable in pop culture. It's been one of the world's most popular games several years running, with a large and consistent fanbase. Its regular content updates and pop culture crossovers ensure there's always something for players to enjoy.
Fortnite has allowed cross-play for a long time, helping its gargantuan playerbase have even more people to compete with. This cross-play is optional, with players able to turn it off if they choose. When on, it lets players form teams with and go up against players on almost any of the game's platforms.
2 Apex Legends
Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch, PC, and Mobile
Apex Legends has carved a niche for itself in the battle royale genre by centering its gameplay around teams. The game revolves even more around multiplayer than other battle royales because players don't have the option to play solo. Fortunately, it has cross-platform play to ensure games are always fast and well-populated.
Apex Legends players on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch can all find themselves in the same game. Apex Legends is another title that excludes mobile players from its cross-play, however. Android and iOS players play together, but they can't join games with other platforms.
1 Final Fantasy XIV
PlayStation and PC
Final Fantasy XIV is one of the most successful MMORPGs in the modern day. Its status has only risen from its dubious beginnings. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn has won consistent critical acclaim. Many of its expansions, such as Heavensward or Endwalker, have won awards in their own right.
Final Fantasy XIV has cross-play between PS4 and PC. This cross-play is not optional, as the game only has integrated servers. It also has cross-progression, with players able to use the same account and characters on PC and PS4 alike. The game isn't available on Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile, however.