Is Astroneer Cross-Platform?
Astroneer blasted onto the Switch in early 2022, expanding its reach to four platforms (Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC). This intergalactic adventure has players itching to team up and conquer space challenges.
This article addresses a common question: does Astroneer allow cross-platform play between different consoles? Let’s find out.
Is Astroneer Cross-Platform?
No, Astroneer does not fully support cross-platform multiplayer, except for Xbox and PC consoles. Despite being the latest release, the Nintendo Switch version does not include this feature.
Therefore, Switch players can only play with other Switch users, and PS4 players cannot join Xbox servers, and vice versa. To play with friends on different consoles, players must use the same platform, except for Windows and Xbox (including Game Pass) users.
While this limitation is disappointing, there’s potential for the developer to make changes in the future. Nonetheless, Astroneer players can still enjoy solid multiplayer functionality within their respective platforms, and Xbox and PC players can play together.
The Q&A section on the Astroneer website clarifies which platforms can connect to specific servers. For instance, PS4 players can connect to any dedicated Astroneer server, while Xbox players cannot connect to non-authenticated servers like those run independently by friends.
Despite multiplayer support varying across consoles, the experience is marred by bugs, impacting its smoothness.
Also Read: Returnal Crossplay
What is the Future of Crossplay for Astroneer?
Given Astroneer’s relative newness and ongoing development by a small studio, efforts to resolve these issues are likely ongoing, with potential future improvements, including additional crossplay functionality.
Related: Is Chivalry 2 Cross Platform
About Astroneer
Astroneer can be most closely compared to the popular space exploration game No Man’s Sky, offering players the chance to explore procedurally generated open-world planets and terraform, gather resources, and craft advanced materials and items.
However, unlike No Man’s Sky, Astroneer is designed for a more casual audience, featuring quicker progression and a more open-ended experience with less emphasis on a set storyline.
Developed by System Era Softworks, Astroneer entered early access in late 2016 and saw a full release in 2019 on Windows and Xbox One three years later.
The PlayStation 4 version was released shortly after, and the game was most recently ported to the Nintendo Switch on January 13.
Astroneer lets you team up with up to three fellow space explorers for a wilder ride across the cosmos. Like other popular sandbox titles, Astroneer utilizes dedicated servers for multiplayer, similar to Minecraft.
PC players on Steam can fire up their server following instructions on the Astroneer website. Alternatively, you can rent servers from the game’s official partners, accessible on all four platforms (Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC).
Remember that setting up your server can be tricky, especially for those new to managing multiplayer servers.
