Is Ark cross-platform? This is a burning question for many Ark: Survival Evolved players who want to enjoy the game with friends on different platforms. In this article, we will explore the various cross-play possibilities, limitations, and steps to set up cross-platform gaming for Ark. We will also address some frequently asked questions about the game’s cross-play capabilities.
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Ark: Survival Evolved – A Quick Introduction
Ark: Survival Evolved is an open-world survival game where players must tame and train dinosaurs, gather resources, build bases, and fight off threats in a world filled with prehistoric creatures. The game was released in 2015 and has since been available on various platforms such as PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.
Ark Cross-Platform Play: What’s Possible and What’s Not
Ark: Survival Evolved does support cross-platform play, but it comes with certain limitations. Here’s a quick overview of the cross-play possibilities:
- PC players using Steam and Epic Games Store can cross-play with each other.
- PC players using the Windows Store version can cross-play with Xbox players.
- PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch do not have cross-play capabilities.
- PlayStation 4 does not support any form of cross-play.
- Windows 10 Store and Steam cannot cross-play because the Windows 10 Store version is essentially a port of the Xbox version.
Unfortunately, not all platforms can play with each other, and some players may find themselves unable to enjoy Ark with their friends who own different platforms.
How to Set Up Cross-Platform Gaming in Ark
Setting up cross-platform gaming in Ark depends on the platforms involved. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it for the supported platforms:
Cross-play between Steam and Epic Games Store
To enable cross-play between Steam and Epic Games Store users:
- Both players should ensure they are using the latest version of Ark: Survival Evolved.
- One player should create a non-dedicated multiplayer session in the game.
- The other player should join the session by selecting “Join via IP” in the game’s main menu and entering the host player’s IP address.
2. Cross-play between Windows Store and Xbox
To enable cross-play between Windows Store and Xbox users:
- Both players must ensure they are using the latest version of Ark: Survival Evolved.
- One player should create a non-dedicated multiplayer session in the game.
- The other player should join the session by selecting “Join Game” in the game’s main menu and choosing the host player’s session from the available list.
Conclusion
Is Ark cross-platform? Yes, but with certain limitations. While cross-play is available between PC players using Steam and Epic Games Store, as well as between Windows Store and Xbox users, it is not supported on all platforms. This means that players on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch cannot enjoy cross-platform gaming in Ark: Survival Evolved. However, the game still offers a rich multiplayer experience for players on the same platform, and we can always hope that developers may expand cross-play capabilities in the future.
FAQs about Ark Cross-Platform Play
Is Ark cross-platform between Steam and Xbox?
No, Ark is not cross-platform between Steam and Xbox. The Windows 10 Store version of the game is required for cross-play with Xbox users.
Is Ark cross-platform for all platforms?
No, Ark does not support cross-platform play for all platforms. Cross-play is limited to Steam and Epic Games Store users on PC, as well as Windows Store and Xbox users.
Will Ark be cross-platform in 2023?
As of now, there is no official announcement regarding any plans to expand Ark’s cross-platform support in 2023. However, this could change in the future as developers continue to update the game.
Is Ark cross-platform between PS4 and Xbox One?
No, Ark is not cross-platform between PS4 and Xbox One. Currently, PS4 does not support any form of cross-play in Ark: Survival Evolved
