In the vast universe of cooperative gaming experiences, Deep Rock Galactic stands tall as one of the most beloved titles among space-mining enthusiasts. This team-based first-person shooter puts players in the boots of dwarven miners exploring dangerous procedurally generated cave systems. But for friends on different gaming platforms, one question looms larger than any cave leech: does Deep Rock Galactic support crossplay?
This comprehensive guide dives deep into the caverns of deep rock galactic crossplay, exploring everything from platform compatibility to troubleshooting connection issues. Whether you're a grizzled mining veteran or a greenbeard just joining the ranks of Deep Rock Galactic, this article will equip you with all the knowledge needed to play with friends across different gaming ecosystems.
Understanding Deep Rock Galactic Crossplay: The Basics
Deep rock galactic crossplay refers to the ability for players on different gaming platforms to play together in the same game session. This feature has become increasingly important in modern gaming, allowing friends to team up regardless of their chosen gaming hardware.
Deep Rock Galactic, developed by Ghost Ship Games and published by Coffee Stain Publishing, initially launched in Early Access in 2018 before its full release in May 2020. Since then, the game has expanded to multiple platforms including PC (Steam and Microsoft Store), Xbox consoles, and PlayStation consoles.
The implementation of deep rock galactic crossplay varies between platforms, creating some confusion among the community. Not all platforms can play with each other, and understanding these limitations is crucial before attempting to organize a cross-platform mining expedition. This partial crossplay implementation results from technical, business, and platform-policy factors that influence how games implement cross-platform functionality.
In the sections that follow, we'll break down exactly which platforms can play together, how to enable crossplay functionality, and provide troubleshooting tips for common issues miners might encounter when attempting to connect across different systems.
Current State of Deep Rock Galactic Crossplay in 2025
As of May 2025, deep rock galactic crossplay exists in a somewhat limited capacity. Here's the current status of crossplay between different platforms:
Cross-Platform Play Compatibility Chart
| Platform | Steam | Microsoft Store/Xbox PC | Xbox Consoles | PlayStation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Microsoft Store/Xbox PC | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Xbox Consoles | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| PlayStation | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
As the chart illustrates, deep rock galactic crossplay is currently limited to specific ecosystems:
- Microsoft Ecosystem: Xbox consoles (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S) and PC players using the Microsoft Store/Xbox Game Pass version can play together.
- Steam Ecosystem: Players on Steam can only play with other Steam players.
- PlayStation Ecosystem: PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 players can only play with other PlayStation users.
This means that while there is some form of crossplay functionality, it isn't the fully unified experience that many players hope for. Ghost Ship Games has acknowledged community requests for expanded crossplay options, but implementing full cross-platform functionality involves complex technical and business considerations.
How to Enable Deep Rock Galactic Crossplay Between Xbox and PC
Enabling deep rock galactic crossplay between Xbox consoles and Windows PC is relatively straightforward, as long as you're using the correct game versions. Here's a step-by-step guide:
For PC Players (Microsoft Store/Xbox App Version)
- Ensure you've downloaded Deep Rock Galactic from the Microsoft Store or Xbox app—not Steam.
- Launch the game and sign in with the same Microsoft account you use for Xbox services.
- Navigate to the game's settings menu and confirm crossplay is enabled (it should be on by default).
- Join or host a game session as normal, and your Xbox friends should appear in your friends list.
For Xbox Console Players
- Make sure your Xbox console is updated with the latest system software.
- Launch Deep Rock Galactic and sign in to your Xbox account.
- Check that crossplay is enabled in the settings menu.
- Your PC friends using the Microsoft Store version should appear in your friends list.
Remember that deep rock galactic crossplay within the Microsoft ecosystem relies on Xbox Live services, so both platforms must be signed in to compatible accounts. Game invites can be sent directly through the Xbox friends list or the in-game social menu.
It's worth noting that gmru has several helpful guides about optimizing your crossplay experience in various games, including detailed settings recommendations for Deep Rock Galactic.
Why Steam and Microsoft Store Versions Can't Play Together
Many players wonder why deep rock galactic crossplay doesn't extend between Steam and Microsoft Store versions, despite both being PC platforms. The limitation stems from fundamental differences in how these platforms handle networking, account systems, and multiplayer infrastructure.
Steam uses Valve's proprietary networking and account system, while the Microsoft Store version leverages Xbox Live services. These backend systems aren't directly compatible without significant development work to create a bridge between them.
Ghost Ship Games has explained that implementing crossplay between Steam and Microsoft Store would require:
- Unified Account System: Creating a method for linking accounts between platforms.
- Custom Networking Solution: Developing a proprietary networking layer that works independently of both Steam and Xbox Live.
- Additional Server Infrastructure: Maintaining servers to facilitate connections between the different networks.
These technical challenges, combined with the development resources required, explain why full deep rock galactic crossplay between all PC versions hasn't been implemented. The development team has historically focused on content updates and gameplay improvements rather than expanding crossplay functionality.
PlayStation and Cross-Platform Play Limitations
PlayStation players face the most restrictions when it comes to deep rock galactic crossplay. Currently, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions of Deep Rock Galactic can only connect with other PlayStation users.
This limitation aligns with Sony's historically conservative approach to crossplay. Though Sony has become more open to cross-platform functionality in recent years, implementing crossplay still requires additional technical work and business agreements.
For PlayStation users hoping to mine with friends on other platforms, the current options are limited:
- Playing on Multiple Platforms: Some dedicated miners maintain accounts on different platforms to play with various friend groups.
- Encouraging Friends to Join PlayStation: Building a mining team entirely within the PlayStation ecosystem.
- Watching for Updates: Keeping an eye on announcements from Ghost Ship Games about potential crossplay expansions.
While full deep rock galactic crossplay with PlayStation remains unavailable, Ghost Ship Games has not ruled out the possibility for future updates. The development team regularly engages with the community and acknowledges the high demand for expanded cross-platform capabilities.
Using the Deep Rock Galactic Friend Code System
In 2023, Ghost Ship Games introduced a friend code system to facilitate easier connections between players on the same platform. While this doesn't expand deep rock galactic crossplay between incompatible platforms, it does streamline the process of finding friends without relying solely on platform-specific friend lists.
How Friend Codes Work:
- Generating Your Code: Access the social menu in-game to view or generate your unique friend code.
- Sharing Codes: Share this code with friends who play on compatible platforms.
- Adding Friends: Enter a friend's code in the "Add Friend" section of the social menu.
- Joining Sessions: Once added, friends appear in your in-game list, making it easier to join each other's games.
This system is particularly useful for Microsoft Store/Xbox players utilizing deep rock galactic crossplay, as it provides a game-specific method of connecting beyond the Xbox Live friends list.
Friend codes consist of a combination of letters and numbers unique to each player account. These codes are tied to your platform account and persist between gaming sessions, so you only need to share them once with each friend.
Cross-Progression in Deep Rock Galactic
An important aspect related to deep rock galactic crossplay is cross-progression—the ability to maintain your character's progress, unlocks, and purchases across different platforms. Currently, Deep Rock Galactic's cross-progression capabilities are limited:
Cross-Progression Status:
- Within Microsoft Ecosystem: Progress syncs between Xbox consoles and Microsoft Store PC version.
- Between PlayStation Consoles: Progress syncs between PS4 and PS5.
- Steam Version: Progress is isolated to Steam.
- Between Incompatible Platforms: No cross-progression (Steam to Xbox, PlayStation to Xbox, etc.).
This means that while you can enjoy deep rock galactic crossplay within certain ecosystems, switching to an entirely different platform generally requires starting fresh. This limitation affects miners who might consider purchasing the game on multiple platforms to play with different friend groups.
Many players have requested expanded cross-progression features, particularly between Steam and the Microsoft ecosystem. Ghost Ship Games acknowledges these requests but notes that implementing cross-progression presents similar technical challenges to expanding crossplay functionality.
Troubleshooting Common Deep Rock Galactic Crossplay Issues
Even when attempting to use supported deep rock galactic crossplay connections, miners sometimes encounter technical issues. Here are solutions to the most common problems:
Unable to See Friends Online
- Verify Platform Compatibility: Double-check that you're trying to connect with someone on a compatible platform according to the crossplay chart above.
- Check Online Status: Ensure both players are showing as "online" in their respective platform services.
- Restart the Game: Sometimes a simple application restart resolves visibility issues.
- Verify Network Settings: Make sure neither player has restrictive NAT settings that might block connections.
Game Invitation Failures
- Send Invites In-Game: Use the in-game social menu rather than platform-specific invitation systems.
- Try Joining Directly: Instead of invitations, try having one player join the other's session directly.
- Check Privacy Settings: Ensure your game session is set to "Friends Can Join" or "Public."
- Create a New Lobby: If a particular lobby is causing problems, try creating a fresh session.
Connectivity and Lag Issues
- Check Internet Connection: Both players should have stable internet connections.
- Host Selection: When using deep rock galactic crossplay, having the player with the best internet connection host the session often improves stability.
- Reduce Graphics Settings: Lowering graphics settings can help maintain consistent performance in cross-platform sessions.
- Regional Considerations: Playing with miners in similar geographical regions usually provides the best connection quality.
Future of Deep Rock Galactic Crossplay: Developer Updates
Ghost Ship Games has addressed deep rock galactic crossplay in several developer streams and community updates. While they understand the community's desire for expanded cross-platform functionality, they maintain a realistic approach about the challenges involved.
The development team has indicated that they continue to explore possibilities for enhancing crossplay functionality, but they balance these efforts against other priorities like:
- Developing new mission types and biomes
- Creating additional enemy varieties
- Implementing new weapons and upgrades
- Addressing existing bugs and performance issues
Recent communications suggest that while full deep rock galactic crossplay across all platforms remains a long-term goal, players shouldn't expect immediate changes to the current implementation. The team emphasizes that any crossplay expansion would need to maintain a high-quality experience without compromising existing gameplay.
Cross-Platform Parity: Content and Updates
An important aspect of deep rock galactic crossplay is content parity—ensuring all platforms receive the same features and updates. Ghost Ship Games has maintained impressive consistency in this area, with most major updates releasing simultaneously across platforms.
Update Schedule:
- Major Content Updates: Typically released on all platforms within the same week.
- Hotfixes: Sometimes delayed slightly on consoles due to certification processes.
- Seasonal Events: Launch simultaneously across platforms.
This commitment to platform parity means that regardless of which version you play, you'll experience the same core content as your friends on other systems, even if direct deep rock galactic crossplay isn't possible between your platforms.
The only notable exceptions are certain cosmetic DLCs, which occasionally have different release timing depending on platform-specific store policies and certification requirements.
Community Workarounds for Limited Crossplay
While waiting for potential expansions to official deep rock galactic crossplay functionality, the community has developed creative workarounds to enhance the social experience:
Discord Integration
Many mining teams use Discord for voice chat regardless of platform, creating unified communication even when playing on incompatible game versions. The Deep Rock Galactic official Discord server has dedicated channels for finding teammates across all platforms.
Community Events
Fan-organized events often feature simultaneous missions across different platforms. While players can't directly join each other's games when on incompatible platforms, they can tackle the same mission types and compare results afterward.
Streaming Solutions
Some friend groups use stream sharing to maintain a social element despite platform limitations. One player streams their gameplay via Discord or a streaming platform so others can watch and comment while playing their own separate sessions.
While these approaches don't provide true deep rock galactic crossplay, they help maintain the cooperative spirit that makes the game special, even across platform divides.
Comparing Deep Rock Galactic Crossplay to Other Co-op Games
To put deep rock galactic crossplay in context, it's helpful to compare its implementation with other popular cooperative games:
More Extensive Crossplay:
- Fortnite: Full crossplay across all platforms.
- Minecraft: Near-complete crossplay (Bedrock edition).
- Rocket League: Full crossplay support.
Similar Partial Crossplay:
- Destiny 2: Crossplay within platform families with recent expansion to full crossplay.
- Sea of Thieves: Microsoft ecosystem crossplay similar to Deep Rock Galactic.
More Limited Crossplay:
- Borderlands 3: Limited crossplay that excludes PlayStation.
- Warframe: Isolated platform ecosystems with no crossplay.
This comparison shows that while deep rock galactic crossplay isn't as comprehensive as some titles, its implementation is roughly in line with many other cooperative games, particularly those that launched before crossplay became a standard expectation.
Key Takeaways About Deep Rock Galactic Crossplay
- Limited Ecosystem Crossplay: Deep Rock Galactic supports crossplay within the Microsoft ecosystem (Xbox consoles and Windows Store/Game Pass PC version) but not between other platform combinations.
- Platform Restrictions: Steam players can only play with other Steam users. PlayStation players can only play with other PlayStation users.
- Friend Codes: The in-game friend code system helps connect players on compatible platforms but doesn't overcome fundamental crossplay limitations.
- Cross-Progression: Progress syncing is limited to within the same platform ecosystems, with no cross-progression between Steam, Microsoft, and PlayStation versions.
- Developer Stance: Ghost Ship Games acknowledges community interest in expanded deep rock galactic crossplay but cites technical and resource challenges in implementation.
- Community Solutions: Despite crossplay limitations, the community has developed workarounds to maintain social connections across platform divides.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deep Rock Galactic Crossplay
Can Steam and Xbox players play Deep Rock Galactic together?
No, currently deep rock galactic crossplay does not support connections between Steam and Xbox versions. Xbox players can only play with other Xbox users and PC players using the Microsoft Store/Game Pass version.
Is there crossplay between PlayStation and Xbox for Deep Rock Galactic?
No, PlayStation and Xbox players cannot join the same game sessions. Deep rock galactic crossplay is limited to within platform ecosystems.
If I buy Deep Rock Galactic on Steam, can I play with my friends on Game Pass PC?
No, the Steam version cannot connect with the Microsoft Store/Game Pass PC version despite both being on PC. They use different backend services for multiplayer connections.
Will my progress carry over if I switch platforms?
Progress only carries over within the same ecosystem (between Xbox and Windows Store versions, or between PS4 and PS5). There is no cross-progression between Steam, Microsoft, and PlayStation versions.
Are there plans to expand Deep Rock Galactic crossplay in the future?
Ghost Ship Games has acknowledged community interest in expanded crossplay but has not announced specific plans or timelines for implementation. They continue to evaluate the technical requirements and resources needed.
Do all platforms receive the same updates and content?
Yes, Ghost Ship Games maintains excellent content parity across all platforms, with major updates typically releasing simultaneously or within the same week.
Conclusion: The Future of Mining Together
While deep rock galactic crossplay currently has limitations, the game remains one of the best cooperative experiences available across all platforms. Ghost Ship Games has demonstrated a clear commitment to their community through regular content updates, responsive communication, and thoughtful game design.
The current crossplay implementation allows friends within the same ecosystem to enjoy the underground adventures together, while the game's procedurally generated missions and deep progression systems provide countless hours of entertainment regardless of platform.
As the gaming industry continues to move toward platform agnosticism, there's reason to hope that deep rock galactic crossplay might eventually expand. Until then, miners across all platforms can take comfort in knowing they're part of the same community—even if they can't all directly mine together.
Whether you're dropping into Hoxxes IV from Steam, Xbox, or PlayStation, remember the dwarven motto that unites all miners: "Rock and Stone, to the Bone!"