Deep Rock Galactic crossplay sounds simple on paper. Four dwarves. One mission. A swarm of bugs. Different platforms. Rock and stone.
In reality, it’s a little messier than that.
If you’ve ever tried to squad up with a friend only to realize you’re not on the same ecosystem, you already know the frustration. You’re both staring at your screens, ready to mine, shoot, and zipline into chaos… and the game just won’t connect you.
So let’s clear it up properly. No fluff. No vague answers. Just what works, what doesn’t, and how to actually play together without losing your mind.
The Short Answer: Is Deep Rock Galactic Crossplay Supported?
Yes. But not universally.
Deep Rock Galactic supports crossplay between certain platforms. Specifically:
- Xbox consoles and Windows PC players who own the Microsoft Store version can play together.
- Steam players can only play with other Steam players.
- PlayStation players are locked to PlayStation.
That’s it. No full cross-platform free-for-all. No Steam-to-PlayStation magic. No Xbox-to-Steam lobbies.
Now, before you groan, let’s break down why it works this way and what it means in practical terms.
Why Crossplay Isn’t Fully Open
Here’s the thing. Deep Rock Galactic wasn’t originally built as a massive cross-platform ecosystem game. It launched in early access on PC first. Then it expanded. Different storefronts. Different backend systems. Different network infrastructures.
Steam runs one network. Microsoft runs another. Sony runs its own environment. Getting all of those to communicate cleanly isn’t as simple as flipping a switch.
Some games are built from the ground up with unified cross-network architecture. Deep Rock Galactic wasn’t. The developers have done what makes technical and financial sense, and that’s why we have partial crossplay rather than universal.
And honestly? The fact that Xbox and Microsoft Store PC players can team up seamlessly is already a win.
Xbox and Windows PC Crossplay: The Smooth Experience
If you’re on Xbox Series X, Series S, or Xbox One, and your friend owns the game through the Microsoft Store on PC (or via Game Pass for PC), you’re good to go.
It’s essentially the same ecosystem. You use Xbox Live accounts. Your friends list carries over. Invites are simple.
You don’t need to fiddle with external IDs. No weird workarounds. You just send an invite like you would in any other Xbox multiplayer game.
I’ve seen plenty of friend groups where one person upgraded to a gaming PC but stayed in the Xbox ecosystem specifically for this reason. It works. It’s stable. And most importantly, it feels native.
If you’re planning ahead and crossplay matters to you, this pairing is the safest bet.
Steam Players: Great Community, Closed Circle
Steam is where Deep Rock Galactic really built its early fanbase. It’s also where you’ll find the most mods and community-driven content.
But Steam players are in their own bubble.
If you buy the game on Steam, you can only play with other Steam users. That includes Linux users running through Proton and standard Windows users. It’s a big pool, but it’s a separate one.
Here’s a common scenario: one friend buys the game during a Steam sale. Another grabs it on Game Pass because it’s “basically free.” They assume they can play together. They can’t.
That mismatch happens more often than you’d think.
So before convincing your whole crew to dive in, double-check which storefront everyone’s using. It saves awkward refunds later.
PlayStation Players: Their Own Mining Operation
PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 players can play together within the PlayStation ecosystem. That part works well.
But PlayStation doesn’t connect to Xbox. And it doesn’t connect to Steam.
If you’re on PS5 and your buddy is on Series X, you’re not dropping into Hoxxes together. Not without someone switching platforms.
It’s not ideal. Cross-platform has become more common in modern multiplayer games, so expectations are higher. Still, Deep Rock Galactic maintains strong player populations within each ecosystem, so finding matches isn’t hard.
The issue only shows up when you’re trying to coordinate with specific friends.
Does Cross-Progression Exist?
This is where things get even more nuanced.
Xbox and Windows Store versions support cross-progression because they’re tied to your Xbox account. Your saves move with you. Start on console, switch to PC, pick up where you left off.
Steam? That’s separate.
PlayStation? Also separate.
If you move from Steam to Xbox, your progress doesn’t transfer automatically. Same with PlayStation. You’d be starting fresh.
For some players, that’s not a big deal. For others who’ve promoted multiple dwarves and unlocked deep cosmetic sets, it’s painful.
I’ve seen people hesitate to switch platforms purely because they don’t want to grind their Engineer back up to Legendary again. And honestly, fair.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Deep Rock Galactic isn’t a casual drop-in shooter where you don’t care about progress. You build classes. You unlock weapon overclocks. You fine-tune loadouts.
Your Gunner feels different from someone else’s Gunner.
So platform separation isn’t just about matchmaking. It affects your long-term investment.
Imagine convincing three friends to buy the game, only to realize two of you are isolated from the others. Now someone has to rebuy it. Or everyone migrates. Or the group fractures.
That’s why it’s worth understanding before committing.
Can You Work Around It?
People always ask this.
There’s no official cross-platform workaround between Steam and Xbox or PlayStation. No hidden toggle. No secret linking system.
Some players attempt creative solutions like running the Microsoft Store version on PC even if they prefer Steam, simply to stay connected with Xbox friends. That’s a legitimate choice.
But there’s no way to bridge Steam to console through mods or third-party tools. The systems just aren’t built to talk to each other.
If full crossplay is a dealbreaker for your group, you’ll need to align platforms from the start.
Does Crossplay Affect Performance or Gameplay?
Within supported ecosystems, it’s smooth.
Xbox and Windows Store PC players play together without noticeable issues. Controls feel balanced because Deep Rock Galactic isn’t a hyper-competitive PvP game. It’s co-op PvE.
Nobody’s sweating about aim assist advantages. You’re fighting alien bugs, not each other.
That design actually makes crossplay easier. There’s no ranking ladder to protect. No competitive imbalance debates.
And honestly, that cooperative focus is probably why the partial crossplay setup works as well as it does.
Is Full Crossplay Coming?
There’s been community discussion about it for years. The developers have acknowledged interest, but full cross-platform support isn’t a small update. It’s infrastructure-level work.
Given the game’s age and development cycle, it’s unlikely we’ll suddenly see universal crossplay rolled out unless there’s a major overhaul or sequel.
That said, Deep Rock Galactic has surprised players before with meaningful updates long after launch. So never say never. Just don’t buy the game today assuming it’s around the corner.
Choosing the Right Version for Your Group
If you’re reading this before purchasing, here’s the practical takeaway.
Talk to your friends first.
Ask where they own it. Steam? Xbox? PlayStation?
If you’re the only one buying fresh, it’s easier for you to match them than to convince three other people to repurchase the game.
If everyone’s new, decide together. Steam offers mod support and a massive player base. Xbox ecosystem gives you crossplay between console and PC via Microsoft Store. PlayStation is solid if your whole group lives there already.
There’s no universally “best” platform. Only the best one for your crew.
The Good News: The Community Is Strong Everywhere
Even without universal crossplay, Deep Rock Galactic maintains healthy player numbers across platforms.
Public lobbies fill quickly. Random squads are usually cooperative. The ping system works beautifully even if nobody’s using voice chat.
You don’t feel stranded.
And because missions are instanced and co-op focused, matchmaking doesn’t require massive concurrent populations the way battle royale games do.
So if your friends aren’t available, you can still jump in and have a great run.
A Quick Reality Check
Let’s be honest. Crossplay has spoiled us.
A few years ago, platform separation was standard. Now it feels outdated. Expectations changed fast.
But Deep Rock Galactic still delivers what matters most: tight co-op gameplay, strong class synergy, and chaotic cave moments you’ll remember.
You might not be able to play with literally everyone across every platform. But within your ecosystem, the experience is polished and reliable.
And at the end of the day, yelling “Rock and Stone!” after surviving a swarm doesn’t feel any less satisfying just because your squad is platform-specific.
Final Thoughts
Deep Rock Galactic crossplay exists, but it’s selective. Xbox and Microsoft Store PC players can team up seamlessly. Steam players stay with Steam. PlayStation sticks to PlayStation.
It’s not perfect. It can be inconvenient. But it’s clear once you understand the boundaries.
If you’re planning a purchase, coordinate first. Match platforms early. Save yourself the headache.
Once you’re actually in the caves, though, none of that technical stuff matters much. You’re focused on teamwork, resources, and not getting overrun by Glyphids.
And when the drop pod door closes just in time and everyone makes it out alive, platform differences fade pretty quickly.
