Currently, Destiny 2 is not a fully cross-platform game; it only supports cross-save and cross-play between specific platforms.
The question on many gamers’ minds is, is Destiny a cross platform game? It’s a valid query given the increasing desire for players to connect regardless of their preferred console or PC. Many wish they could play with all their friends without platform restrictions.
Unfortunately, the answer isn’t a simple yes. Destiny 2 allows you to transfer your characters and progress across different systems (cross-save). But full cross-platform play, allowing you to directly play with friends on all platforms is not yet completely available for all scenarios.
Is Destiny a Cross Platform Game? Exploring the Crossplay Landscape
The question of whether Destiny, specifically Destiny 2, offers cross-platform play is one that many gamers ponder. With the gaming world becoming increasingly interconnected, the ability to play with friends regardless of their chosen platform is highly desirable. Let’s delve into the specifics of Destiny 2’s crossplay capabilities, how it works, its limitations, and what this means for you, the player.
Understanding Crossplay vs. Cross-Progression
Before diving into the details, it’s important to distinguish between two related terms: crossplay and cross-progression. Often, these terms are used interchangeably, but they represent different features.
Crossplay
Crossplay, or cross-platform play, means that you can play a game with others on different gaming systems. For example, someone on a PlayStation 5 can play with a friend on an Xbox Series X, or a player on a PC can join up with friends on either console. This breaks down the walls between gaming devices, allowing for a larger player pool.
Cross-Progression
Cross-progression, on the other hand, is about your game progress. It allows you to access your saved data, including character progression, items, and achievements, across multiple platforms. This means you can start playing on a PC, then pick up right where you left off on your console, or vice versa. It gives a continuity that many players look for.
Now, let’s see how Destiny 2 handles each of these features.
Destiny 2’s Crossplay Implementation
Good news for Destiny 2 fans! Yes, Destiny 2 does feature crossplay. Bungie, the game’s developer, added this functionality, allowing Guardians across different platforms to join forces. This addition was a major step towards fostering a more connected community and creating more opportunities for cooperative gameplay.
How to enable Destiny 2 crossplay
The process to join up with friends on other platforms is fairly straightforward:
- Crossplay is enabled by default. You don’t need to turn on any particular setting to use this feature.
- Friend Requests. You need to send and accept friend requests with the players you want to play with. These friends can be on any platform with crossplay enabled.
- Bungie Friends. Destiny 2 uses a cross-platform friends system called “Bungie Friends.” This lets you add and manage friends regardless of their console or PC choice.
- Using Bungie Names. Each player has a Bungie Name, which is the ID you need to use to search for and add friends. This name might not always be identical to your PlayStation Network ID or your Steam name.
Supported Platforms
Destiny 2 crossplay spans across a wide range of systems. You can play with others on:
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox One
- Xbox Series X/S
- PC (Steam and Microsoft Store)
Crossplay and Activities
With Destiny 2’s crossplay implementation, you can participate in most activities with other players, no matter their platform. These include:
- Strikes and Nightfalls: You can team up with your friends to tackle these challenging cooperative missions.
- Raids: Form a fireteam with friends to face the toughest content in Destiny 2.
- Crucible: Battle other Guardians in various player vs. player modes. Note that there is a competitive playlist where PC players are generally separated from console players to keep the playing field more even.
- Gambit: Compete against other teams while fighting off enemies in this unique game mode.
- Seasonal Activities: The seasonal content that is regularly added is also crossplay compatible, letting you enjoy the new challenges with friends on different systems.
The Competitive Landscape and Input-Based Matchmaking
While crossplay brings many advantages, it also introduces some competitive considerations. One of the major differences across platforms is the input method. PC players typically use a mouse and keyboard, while console players use controllers. This difference can impact aim and overall gameplay. Bungie has been aware of these differences and has implemented systems to address this.
Input-Based Matchmaking
To maintain competitive balance, Destiny 2 uses input-based matchmaking in certain playlists, like Competitive PvP. This means:
- Separate Pools: Players using controllers are generally matched with other controller players, and PC players, who mostly use mouse and keyboard, are placed in their own pools.
- Exceptions: If you party up with friends using different input methods, you may end up in a mixed input pool, but the game tries to limit the impact of the difference in inputs.
The Competitive Playlist
As mentioned above, the competitive playlist is where this distinction is the most crucial. By splitting the matchmaking by input methods, Destiny 2 tries to give every player a fair chance to compete. It’s important to note that the game can’t completely prevent a mixed group from going into PvP, but that is balanced out by the fact that if you are grouped with friends who have a different input method, you also may be facing other players grouped in the same way.
Destiny 2’s Cross-Progression
Now that we’ve covered crossplay, let’s look at cross-progression in Destiny 2. This is an area where players may be both excited and maybe a little bit confused.
How Cross-Progression Works
Destiny 2 also supports cross-progression. This means that your character, your weapons, your armor, and everything you’ve worked to get is all accessible from any platform. As long as you’ve linked accounts, you can seamlessly jump from one device to another. Here’s what you need to know:
- Bungie Account: To use cross-progression, you need to link all your platform accounts to a single Bungie account on their website.
- Active Character: Once you’ve linked your accounts, you will choose one of the accounts to be your active account. That account’s characters and progress will be available across every platform.
- Switching Character Profile: If you want to change which platform’s characters are active, you can do that on the Bungie website but you have to do it manually each time you want to switch between character profiles from different platforms.
- DLC Ownership: Note that expansions and DLC content is not shared between platforms. So, if you purchase the latest expansion on PlayStation, you’ll need to purchase it again if you want to play that content on your PC. However, if you own a season pass for Destiny 2, this will be shared between platforms.
Benefits of Cross-Progression
Cross-progression in Destiny 2 offers considerable benefits for players, the biggest being that you aren’t locked into a single platform.
- Flexibility: You can switch between platforms easily, allowing you to play with friends who may have different consoles or play on your PC while on the move.
- Seamless Experience: You can continue your game progression without missing a beat, regardless of where you are playing.
- No Re-Grinding: Your hard-earned gear and character upgrades are always available, preventing the need to redo everything when you switch platforms.
Limitations of Destiny 2’s Crossplay and Cross-Progression
While Destiny 2 offers a great crossplay and cross-progression experience, there are some things you should keep in mind.
DLC Restrictions
As previously noted, DLCs like expansions are not shared between platforms. This means you must buy the expansions separately for each platform you want to play on. This is a common limitation across the gaming industry when it comes to cross-progression.
Platform-Specific Exclusives
There can be platform-exclusive items or rewards. While Destiny 2 tries to minimize these, there may be instances where certain items or benefits are only available to players on one specific platform. It is good to be aware that such things exist.
Matchmaking Issues
While input-based matchmaking helps, there are instances where you might still encounter some connection or matchmaking problems, although Bungie is consistently making improvements on that front.
The Future of Crossplay in Destiny 2
Bungie is clearly committed to enhancing the player experience with crossplay and cross-progression. With each update, we see improvements. The inclusion of these features is an indication of the direction Bungie is going with Destiny 2 and how they view their players’ experience. As technology advances, these capabilities will continue to improve. This approach has the potential to build an even more welcoming and inclusive community that is not bound by platform choice.
Destiny 2’s approach to crossplay and cross-progression makes it much easier to play with friends, no matter what gaming system they use. By having these features, Destiny 2 has cemented its position as a game that values inclusivity and player choice. While there are some limitations, the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive and is a big benefit to the players.
(Updated) How To Add Friends on Destiny 2 Cross Platform – Simple Guide
Final Thoughts
Destiny does not offer full cross-platform play. Players can participate in cross-generation play within console families. Cross-save features exist which allow characters to move between platforms.
Sadly, complete cross-platform gameplay is absent. This means you cannot play with friends on different ecosystems. The question, “is destiny a cross platform game”, remains partially answered.
