Will Battlefield 2042 have cross-play at launch? Everything we know

Battlefield 2042 is set to launch across the previous and current generation of console hardware along with PC as well, but will EA’s upcoming FPS feature cross-play? Here’s what we know.

The Battlefield franchise is headed to the year 2042 with the explosive new iteration set to launch on October 22. While we’re still a ways off from its release, EA has already begun teasing what to expect and perhaps more importantly, what not to expect.

We know for certain that 2042 will be launching without a single-player campaign. Moreover, a Battle Royale component doesn’t appear to be ready just yet. However, we do know that three unique multiplayer experiences are on the way.

All Out Warfare, Hazard Zone, and a mysterious third mode round out the full-priced package upon release. But will players across different hardware be able to play together right out of the gate?

Will Battlefield 2042 have cross-play?

Despite the epic reveal at E3 2021, followed by our first-look at some gameplay, EA remained tight-lipped in the weeks that followed. However, on July 14, it was confirmed that cross-play is currently being built and tested for Battlefield 2042.

Players across PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 will be experimenting with the feature for the first time as it’s still in early development.

As crossplay is still being built, there’s no guarantee it will be locked in for day one of 2042’s full release. With that said, EA has outlined its hopes for cross-play at launch.

The developers intend on crossplay working out of the gate as follows:

• Cross-play with PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 (PC and console players can opt-out from playing together)
• Cross-play with Xbox One and PlayStation 4
• Current-gen hardware and PC players will not be able to cross-play with those on Xbox One or PlayStation 4.

We learned from the Battlefield 2042 Open Beta, that cross-play is was enabled by default upon booting into the game. While cross-play parties were not available, players could still squad up with their same-generation friends (PS5 or XSX only etc). However, during the beta’s matches, players could be paired up players from PC or Xbox platforms. It is likely that these features will be fleshed out upon launch.

Cross-gen play ‘might be impossible’ in Battlefield 2042

With 2042 launching across both new and old hardware, certain differences will set game versions apart. For those playing on the PS5, Xbox Series X, & PC, 2042 boasts 128-player lobbies across some of the largest maps seen to date.

For those playing on the PS4 and the Xbox One, however, lobbies are set to 64 players in total.

Maps will be retooled specifically for the previous generation hardware, to ensure smaller lobbies aren’t wasting too much time traveling across maps designed for bigger games.

Due to these differences in maps and player count, cross-generation play might not be possible. Given EA’s recent outline, it doesn’t appear to be in the pipeline whatsoever, as the devs work on crossplay exclusively between Xbox One and PlayStation 4 players.

If you’re playing on a PS5 and have friends on PS4, there might never be a way for you to team up. We’ll just have to wait and see if that changes anytime soon as work continues on 2042.