What is Elder Scrolls Online cross-platform play and can you participate in it without any hiccups? These questions have slightly complicated answers and that’s why we’re gonna unravel them all here.
Back in 2014, when The Elder Scrolls Online was first released by Zenimax Online Studios, it was met by a lukewarm response due to various issues.
That changed eventually and it now stands among the most popular MMORPGs out there.
Those looking for a good, competitive fix and a relaxing way to unwind after a busy day can definitely get into this game.
It’s fun, it’s respectful of your time, and most importantly, it’s got incredibly satisfying gameplay. But does it support cross platform play?
What is cross-platform play?
Cross platform gaming, or cross play, means being able to play multiplayer games with or against other people irrespective of the platform they own.
For instance, if a game supports cross play and you own a PS5 version of it, you can team up or play against others even if they have it on an Xbox Series X console.
If a game doesn’t support cross platform gaming, you are forced to play it only with those who own it on the same platform as yours.
Is ESO cross platform in 2024?
The Elder Scrolls Online does not support cross platform play on major platforms. However, there is one exception to that.
In addition to this, the game also supports cross generation play, which is good news if your friends are part of the same console family as yours.
Is Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) crossplay between:
PC and PS4?
No, The Elder Scrolls Online cannot be played between PC players and PS4 players. The online services used for both these platforms are completely different and there’s no support for them to work in synergy.
Stadia and PC?
This is the exception we spoke about earlier. Yes, ESO cross play can indeed be enjoyed by PC players and Stadia users.
However, do keep in mind that Stadia is headed for a complete shutdown in January 2023. So even this opportunity will be lost very soon.
Xbox One and PS4/PS5?
No, ESO is not cross play compatible between the Xbox One and the PS4 or the PS5. These consoles belong to different families and have their own online services.
Xbox One and PC?
Those playing ESO on their Xbox One consoles will never encounter PC players as there’s no cross play support for these two platforms.
Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S?
Yes, ESO does support cross platform play between the Xbox One and the Xbox Series X/S consoles owing to the existence of cross generation servers.
Owners of these two consoles will indeed encounter each other in the game.
PS4 and the PS5?
Again, since cross generation play is supported, ESO players on the PS4 will be able to play with friends on the PS5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ESO cross-generation?
Yes, Elder Scrolls Online is a game that supports cross generation play. That’s the reason why those who own it on the PS4 or the Xbox One can play with those who have it on the PS5 or the Xbox Series X/S, respectively.
Does it offer cross-progression support?
ZeniMax Online Studios, the makers of ESO, have not blessed the game with cross progression support.
As a result, whenever you begin playing it on a new platform, you will have to start from scratch. Your progress from the previous platform cannot be ported over.
Does it offer cross-save support?
No, cross-save support is not available for Elder Scrolls Online. Your saved data from one platform cannot in any way be transferred to another platform.
Can you play ESO with friends?
The challenging MMORPG that ESO is, it can be best enjoyed when played with friends. You can team up with your buddies and explore its many quests together.
However, this is only possible if all your friends are on the same gaming platform as you.
Does ESO have a multiplayer mode?
Elder Scrolls Online is a multiplayer game at heart. It belongs to the genre called MMORPG, which means Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game.
These are games where you are present in the world in real-time with hundreds of other real-world players.
This also means that the game world persists even when you’re not playing. Hence, there is no provision for resetting the game.
Between which platforms is ESO cross platform?
As we said at the start, ESO is not fully cross-platform, but there is an exception. While it doesn’t work between other platforms, it can indeed be played together by Stadia and PC gamers.
Moreover, since the game supports cross generation play, PS4 players can play with PS5 players and Xbox One players can play with Xbox Series X/S players.
Will Elder Scrolls Online offer cross-platform support in the future?
It’s something fans would love to see; but ZeniMax Online Studios has made no announcement about ESO cross platform support in the foreseeable future.
The game is known to require massive server resources to keep itself going 24×7. The way these servers are structured makes it incredibly difficult for cross platform play to be introduced.
Wrapping up
After its initial hiccups, Elder Scrolls Online went on to be a massively popular offering that’s being enjoyed by millions of people even today.
The MMORPG elements, exciting quests, and a constant stream of new content make it incredibly addictive.
And while crossplay would have made things even more exciting, there are no hopes of it being introduced in the future.
