Is Palworld Crossplay or Cross-Platform?

Palworld is basically Pokémon with guns, and since it’s still currently available via Steam Early Access and Xbox Game Pass, you may want to try playing with friends. With that in mind, here’s whether Palworld is crossplay or cross-platform.

Is Palworld Crossplay or Cross-Platform?

Palworld supports crossplay between the Xbox Series X|S console version of Palworld and the Xbox Store PC version, whether you purchased it outright or just got it through Game Pass. However, neither version supports crossplay with Steam. In other words, if you own the Steam version of Palworld you can only play with other Palworld players on Steam. And if you have the Palworld Game Pass version, you can play with other players who also have Palworld on Game Pass. Steam Palworld and Game Pass Palworld don’t support crossplay between each other.

Why? Well, mostly because Game Pass and Steam actually use different versions of the game, with the former being an earlier version than the latter. According to the devs, that’s due to certification issues with the Xbox version. The good news is that Steam players are playing a slightly newer version of the game, so if you have bought Palworld on Steam, you should get updates a bit sooner.

Does Palworld Have Cross-Platform Progress?

What about cross-platform progression? Can you play Palworld on PC and then bring your progress to the Xbox? The same caveat applies here. If you own the Steam version, no, you can’t. If you’re playing it on Xbox Series X|S and then switch to the Xbox Store version, or vice versa, you can bring your progress with you.

That shouldn’t be enough to put you off Palworld, particularly if you’re just interested in single-player Pokémon, but it’s something to keep in mind. Right now, if you buy it on Steam, you’re stuck with Steam, as far as both crossplay and cross-platform progression go.

Is Palworld Getting Steam Crossplay or Steam Cross-Platform Progression Later?

Palworld will, at some point, be getting crossplay between Steam and Game Pass, but it’s not totally clear at this time just when that’ll happen. Pocketpair, the developer behind the game, released a roadmap, explaining that was an improvement that’s on the way, in addition to new Pals, bosses, Raid Bosses, PvP, and many other features.

However, they’ve not given a timeline, and in the months since the game came out, there have been no significant updates regarding crossplay. It’s happening – there’s just no timeframe other than, in developer Pocketpair’s words, “as soon as possible!”

So, the answer to whether Palworld is crossplay or cross-platform is it that, right now, if you’re playing it via Xbox (PC or console), it has crossplay and cross-platform progression with non-Steam versions. And if you’re playing it on Steam, you’re stuck with other Steam Palworld players.

Palworld Early Access is available now.

The above article was updated on 5/8/2024 by Chris McMullen to reflect new information about the game and its crossplay and cross-platform process.