Overwatch is adding cross-play for all platforms

Blizzard is adding cross-play support for Overwatch “soon”.

Game director Aaron Keller explained how the upcoming feature will work in a video published on Wednesday.

“You will be able to play with your friends across all of our platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch,” he said.

“And to celebrate the launch of cross-play, we’re giving everyone a Golden loot box when the feature becomes available.”

Keller also confirmed that cross-progression will not launch alongside cross-play, although he said support is planned at a later date.

“Cross-progression will not be available at launch. We understand that this feature is important for some of you and it’s something that the Overwatch team is excited to work on in the future.

Console players will need to create and link a Battle.net account in order to participate in cross-play.

Overwatch’s Competitive game mode will include special rules for how matches get made.

Further reading

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Monthly active users have declined from 38 million to 27 million

“By default, a party of console players will play with other console players,” Keller said. “A party of PC players will play with PC players, as well as groups that consist of both PC and console players.

“Please note, this does not include Competitive Play. For Competitive Play specifically, you will not be able to play as a party consisting of both PC and console players together. They will each have their own separate matchmaking pools.”

Blizzard confirmed more details about the feature in a cross-play FAQ.

Keller took on the role of Overwatch 2 game director in April following Blizzard vice president Jeff Kaplan’s departure from the studio after 19 years.

Blizzard said in February that both Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4 will not launch until at least 2022.