Cross platform play is a big part of modern gaming. Gamers want to play with their friends no matter what device they’re on. But not every game has adopted this feature and The Forest is one of them. If you’re a survival game fan and wondering if The Forest is cross platform, this article has everything you need to know 2024.
What is Cross-Platform Play?
In short, cross platform play or crossplay is the ability to play with friends on different devices. Whether you’re on PC, PlayStation or Xbox, crossplay allows players to join the same game session, removing the barriers between different gaming platforms. It’s a highly requested feature because it makes gaming more social and inclusive. Players don’t have to buy multiple copies of the same game or stick to one platform to play with their friends. But crossplay can be tricky, it involves technical adjustments, server integration and balancing across different hardware.
The Forest Game Overview
The Forest is a survival horror game developed by Endnight Games. It released on PC in 2018 after several years of early access and quickly became popular for its open-world gameplay. Later that same year it was also released on PlayStation 4. The game’s appeal is in its mix of survival, exploration and horror. Players navigate a dense forest with deadly creatures, build shelters, craft tools and gather resources to survive. The non linear approach allows players to explore the world freely and face threats in their own way. Multiplayer co-op is a big part of The Forest which makes the lack of cross platform play a big disappointment for many fans.
The Forest Platforms
The Forest is available on two platforms: PC and PlayStation 4. Despite being successful the game was never released on Xbox or other consoles and there’s no Mac or Linux version. PC players can buy the game on Steam and PlayStation players can find it on the PlayStation Store. Unfortunately even though the game is on both PC and PlayStation players on these platforms can’t play with each other because of the lack of crossplay.
Is The Forest Cross Platform Between PC and PlayStation?
The short answer is no. The Forest doesn’t have cross platform play between PC and PlayStation. If you’re on PC you can only play with other PC players and the same applies to PlayStation players. This has been the case since the game released and there’s been no indication from the developers that this will change. The challenges of creating a seamless multiplayer experience across platforms and the differences in hardware and server stability are some of the reasons why crossplay hasn’t been implemented. Endnight Games seems to be focused on making the game stable and fun within each individual platform.
Why Cross-Platform Play isn’t available for The Forest?
There are a few reasons why crossplay hasn’t been added to The Forest. Firstly cross platform functionality requires a lot of resources and development time. The game would need to sync up gameplay mechanics across platforms which means addressing server stability, latency and compatibility issues. For smaller development teams like Endnight Games this can be a big challenge. Secondly the developers are working on the sequel Sons of the Forest so it’s unlikely they would add crossplay to the original game now. In short technical limitations and developmental priorities have kept The Forest a platform specific game.
Will The Forest Ever Be Cross Platform?
Although crossplay is becoming more and more popular there’s been no official word on The Forest becoming cross platform. As of now the developers are working on their new game Sons of the Forest which will continue the survival horror legacy. Maybe crossplay will be added in the future but for now don’t get your hopes up. The best option for players who want to play together is to make sure they’re on the same platform.
The Forest with Cross-Platform Play Alternatives
If you want a survival game with crossplay there are other options. Minecraft has full cross platform compatibility so you can play with others no matter if you’re on PC, console or mobile. Ark: Survival Evolved and No Man’s Sky also have crossplay across multiple platforms so they’re great alternatives if you want to play with others. Each of these games has it’s own style but they all share the same core elements of exploration, crafting and co-op gameplay that The Forest fans will enjoy.
Summary
The Forest is a great game that has got everyone’s attention in the survival horror community but cross platform play is limited. The industry is moving towards more crossplay but The Forest hasn’t followed that path. Unless the developers surprise us there’s no point in waiting to play with friends if you’re on a different platform. But if you want crossplay then maybe exploring other games is the way to go.
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