Are The Borderlands Games Cross Platform?

Are the Borderlands Games Cross Platform?

Okay, let’s talk about something super important for all you vault hunters out there: playing Borderlands with your friends! You might be wondering, “Can I play with my buddy who has a different game system?” That’s where the whole cross-platform thing comes in. It’s like trying to connect two different LEGO sets, sometimes they click together perfectly, and other times they just don’t. Let’s dive deep into which Borderlands games let you play together, no matter what console or computer your friends use.

What is Cross-Platform Play?

Before we jump into the specific Borderlands games, let’s make sure we are all on the same page about what cross-platform play actually means. Imagine you have a PlayStation, and your best friend has an Xbox. Normally, you wouldn’t be able to play games together, right? Cross-platform play, or crossplay, changes that. It’s a feature that allows players using different gaming systems, like Xbox, PlayStation, or a PC, to play the same game together. It’s like having a giant playground where everyone can join in, no matter what kind of swing set they have at home. It’s awesome because it means more friends to play with and more fun!

Borderlands 3: A Step Towards Crossplay

Now, let’s get to the exciting news, specifically about Borderlands 3. This game took a big step towards crossplay, but it didn’t quite get all the way there right at launch. Initially, Borderlands 3 allowed crossplay between PC players using Steam and Epic Games Store. That’s pretty cool because it meant that even if your friend bought the game on a different PC store, you could still team up. But the bigger question still remained: what about Xbox and PlayStation players?

The Shift to Crossplay on Consoles

Thankfully, the team behind Borderlands 3 heard the call from the players! After a while, they added a big update that brought crossplay to the Xbox and PlayStation consoles. This was huge! So, now, if you have Borderlands 3 on your PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, or Xbox Series X/S, you can play with your friends on any of those systems. This means that whether your friend owns a PlayStation or Xbox, you can all jump into the Borderlands world and battle those bandits together! That said, there are some exceptions which we will explore soon.

Limitations on Borderlands 3 Crossplay

Even though Borderlands 3 has crossplay now, there are some things to keep in mind. Here’s the thing: the crossplay is not available on all the platforms. So while it is easy to get mixed up in the hype of crossplay, it’s important to note that, currently, it does not include PC players.

The specific situation for Borderlands 3 crossplay looks like this:

• PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5: Can play with each other and also with Xbox players.
• Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S: Can play with each other and also with PlayStation players.
• PC (Steam and Epic Games Store): PC players can play with each other (on Steam or Epic Game store), but not with console players.

So, if you’re on a console, great! You can probably play with your friends on different consoles. If you’re on a PC, your crossplay buddies are limited to PC players.

Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

Now, let’s talk about some of the older Borderlands games, Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. These are classic games that many people still love to play. However, when it comes to crossplay, things aren’t quite as open as in Borderlands 3.

No Crossplay for Older Borderlands Titles

Unfortunately, neither Borderlands 2 nor Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel offer any form of cross-platform play. That means if you’re trying to play Borderlands 2 with a friend, you both need to be on the same system. If you’re on a PlayStation, everyone in your group needs to be playing on a PlayStation, and the same for if you’re on an Xbox, or PC. This can be a bummer if you want to play with friends using different consoles, but it’s just how these games were made.

Here’s a simple table to make it clear:

Borderlands and Borderlands Remastered

The original Borderlands and it’s remastered version, Borderlands: Game of the Year Enhanced are also in a unique position regarding crossplay functionality. While the original version also did not have any crossplay, the enhanced edition does offer a limited form of crossplay.

Limited Crossplay Support

Borderlands: Game of the Year Enhanced, much like its counterpart, did not initially support cross-platform functionality. The good news is that, like Borderlands 3, some crossplay support has been added over time. The original 2009 version of Borderlands will not feature any cross-platform, but the enhanced version does. This crossplay, however, is not available across all platforms.

Platform Restrictions

Here are the specifics for crossplay on Borderlands: Game of the Year Enhanced:

• Xbox Consoles: Players on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S can play together.
• PlayStation Consoles: Players on PS4 and PS5 can play together.
• PC: PC players will not be able to play with players on consoles and vice versa.

As you can see, the original Borderlands’ crossplay is restricted to players on the same console family and does not extend to PC users. Borderlands 3 is the only game in the franchise to bridge between console ecosystems. For PC gamers, it appears you will only ever be able to play with other PC gamers.

Why Isn’t Crossplay on All Borderlands Games?

This is a very good question, and you’re not the only one wondering why all Borderlands games don’t just have crossplay enabled. There are several reasons why this is the case, and they can be a bit complicated.

Technical Challenges

First off, game development is hard work! Adding crossplay is a big challenge. Game developers need to make sure that the different systems can all talk to each other correctly, which is difficult. Think of it like trying to translate a conversation between people speaking different languages – it takes a lot of work to get it right. For older games, the challenge is even bigger because they weren’t built with crossplay in mind. It’s like trying to add a modern engine to a classic car – it just wasn’t designed for it.

Development Timelines

Another reason is the time and money involved. When older Borderlands games were made, crossplay wasn’t as common as it is now. Going back and changing those games to add crossplay would cost a lot of money and effort. Game developers often prioritize new games and content rather than reworking older titles. It’s like choosing between building a new house or trying to renovate a very, very old one – one will always be more cost effective than the other.

Platform Agreements

Sometimes, it’s not just about the game itself. The companies that make the different consoles, like Sony (PlayStation) and Microsoft (Xbox), have their own rules. They need to agree on letting their players play together, and sometimes those negotiations can take time or not even happen at all. It’s like having neighbors who need to agree to share their yards – it needs teamwork from everyone.

Looking Forward: Future of Borderlands Crossplay

Even with all the current limitations, the trend in gaming is leaning toward more crossplay. As time goes on, it’s likely that more games, including future Borderlands titles, will try to offer crossplay as a default feature. Developers know how important it is for players to team up with friends no matter what system they have.

For now, the best way to know who you can play with is to remember that:

• Borderlands 3 offers console crossplay between Xbox and PlayStation. PC players can only play with other PC players.
• The original Borderlands enhanced edition only offers crossplay within console families and not PC
• Older games, like Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, do not have any crossplay support.

Keep an eye on official announcements from the game developers for any updates. Things are always changing, and hopefully, more and more Borderlands players will soon be able to enjoy playing together, regardless of their chosen system!

So, before you start a new adventure, just make sure everyone in your group is on the same page about which system they will be playing on. This will help you avoid any confusion, and it means that you and your friends can concentrate on having an awesome time playing Borderlands together. Happy hunting, Vault Hunters!