Is Marvel Rivals cross play? This is one of the most important questions about the game, and it pertains to most multiplayer games as well. Being able to play with friends is what these games are all about, so knowing whether or not it’s all friends versus some friends is key. If that’s what you’re wondering about, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s what you need to know about cross-platform play with NetEase’s popular PvP shooter.
Short answer: Yes, there is Marvel Rivals cross platform play. There are no restrictions on with whom you can play the game. PlayStation 5 players can play with Xbox Series X gamers. PC users can play with everyone as well. It’s as unrestricted as a game can be today.
However, there’s one key caveat. That is only true for casual game modes. If you want to play ranked, there are some limits. PC gamers can only play with one another in Marvel Rivals ranked mode. Xbox users and PlayStation users are allowed to play with each other but not PC users. It’s essentially consoles and PC, split into two groups here.
This is not all that surprising. When games do have limits on crossplay, it’s usually like this. This is done largely because keyboard and mouse gamers often have a slight advantage with regard to aiming. It’s more precise with a mouse than a joystick. To compensate, console users often have aim-assist, but it’s not even. To prevent unfair advantages in ranked play, Marvel Rivals splits the two groups.
Regardless, playing Quick Match, Conquest, Custom Game, and Practice can be done with anyone, regardless of what platform they might be on. Presumably, if and when this title comes to Nintendo Switch 2, there will be no restrictions there, either. Ranked play might be difficult, but that’s an issue for another day.
Image Source: Epic Games
Not everyone wants to play Marvel Rivals cross play, though. Even though it doesn’t matter for anyone’s stats or ranking, it can be less fun to consistently get beaten by PC players because they (in theory) have better aim while you’re struggling with a joystick. Luckily, it can be disabled without having to foray into the more challenging world of ranked mode.
PS5 players can visit the settings menu and then navigate to the “Social” tab. There, they will find “Cross-Platform” and the option to toggle it on or off with a single button press
Unfortunately, PC’s Marvel Rivals cross play is mandatory, so you can’t turn it off on the Steam version or the Epic Games Store. The only way is to play ranked, but that may not be ideal for everyone.
Right now, Marvel Rivals is on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Unfortunately, because it was released only for the current-gen consoles, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One users do not have access. Nintendo Switch players don’t, either.
As of now, there are no reported plans to bring it to Nintendo Switch 2, but given the upgraded capabilities, it’s possible. The Switch 2 has been likened to the Series S, which can capably handle the shooter game, so compatibility may not be an issue. Time will tell, though. There are also no plans for a Mac version, so PC users will remain on Windows alone for the time being.
Image credit: Marvel/NetEase
Cross-progression is a very different story from Marvel Rivals cross platform. Cross-play means players can play with one another across consoles (or PC). Cross-progression means players who have more than one device can play and make progress on both or more. It’s something some games have.
Since it’s totally free, it would be very easy to have a version of the game on an Xbox Series S and a PlayStation 5. But can you play and progress from two different platforms?
Unfortunately, no, you can’t. Progress is restricted to one main platform. You can still play it on multiple devices, but only one will count your levelling and unlocks.
NetEase has heard calls for this to be implemented. Its free-to-play status makes it a little more reasonable to include rather than a $70 game that would have to be purchased twice for this to work. However, they haven’t included it yet. But the operative word there is “yet,” because the development team has been working on solving this issue and getting it implemented. So it’s more likely than not to come eventually.
Yes, Marvel Rivals is cross play capable so you can play with friends on PC or console in casual modes, but not competitive. Ranked mode keeps PC players separate from console players due to aiming advantages.
No, you can only gain levels and progress by playing on one device.
If you are on the PS5 or Xbox X|S, you will be able to turn cross platform off, but PC players cannot do so.
Featured Image Source: Steam
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