Ark: Survival Evolved is a popular survival game that challenges players to survive on a mysterious island filled with dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. With its availability on multiple platforms, including PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and mobile devices, many players wonder if they can enjoy the game with friends across different platforms. This article explores the cross-platform capabilities of Ark: Survival Evolved, examining the possibilities and limitations for players looking to team up regardless of their chosen gaming device.
Key Takeaways
- ARK: Survival Evolved supports cross-platform play between Xbox and PC, but only if the game is downloaded from the Microsoft Store.
- Cross-platform play between PlayStation and PC is not natively supported, but players can use dedicated servers to enable this feature.
- Mobile versions of Ark: Survival Evolved allow cross-platform play between iOS and Android devices.
Cross-Platform Play Between Xbox and PC
Playing Ark: Survival Evolved across Xbox and PC is entirely possible, thanks to the "Play Anywhere" functionality. This feature allows you to enjoy the game with friends regardless of whether they are on an Xbox One, Xbox Series X, or a Windows 10 PC. This cross-play capability enhances the gaming experience by bridging the gap between console and PC players.
Cross-Platform Play Between PlayStation and PC
Current Status
As of now, ARK: Survival Evolved does not support cross-platform play between PlayStation and PC. This means that if you’re playing on a PS4 or PS5, you won’t be able to join your friends who are playing on a PC. Each platform requires its own version of the game, so you’ll need to purchase separate copies if you want to play on both PlayStation and PC.
Using Dedicated Servers
One workaround to this limitation is using dedicated servers. By setting up a dedicated server, you can create a more controlled environment for your gameplay. However, even with dedicated servers, cross-platform play between PlayStation and PC remains unsupported. Dedicated servers are more useful for managing large groups of players and ensuring a stable gaming experience.
Technical Considerations
There are several technical reasons why cross-platform play between PlayStation and PC is challenging:
- Platform Restrictions: Sony has historically been more restrictive about cross-platform play compared to Microsoft.
- Different Game Versions: The game may have different updates and patches on each platform, causing compatibility issues.
- Server Management: Managing servers that support multiple platforms can be complex and resource-intensive.
While the developers are working on expanding cross-platform capabilities, it’s clear that there are significant hurdles to overcome. For now, PlayStation and PC players will have to enjoy ARK: Survival Evolved separately.
Mobile Cross-Platform Play
iOS and Android Compatibility
ARK: Survival Evolved Mobile offers cross-platform play between iOS and Android devices. This means you can team up with friends regardless of whether they have an iPhone or an Android phone. The game maintains a consistent experience across both platforms, ensuring that all players can enjoy the same features and gameplay mechanics.
Gameplay Experience
The mobile version of ARK: Survival Evolved is designed to provide a comprehensive survival experience similar to its console and PC counterparts. You can hunt, craft, build, and tame dinosaurs just like in the other versions. However, the controls are optimized for touchscreens, and the graphics are scaled down to ensure smooth performance on mobile devices. Despite these adjustments, the core gameplay remains engaging and immersive.
Limitations
While mobile cross-platform play is a great feature, there are some limitations to be aware of. The mobile version does not support crossplay with PC or console versions of the game. Additionally, certain in-game events and updates may be released later on mobile compared to other platforms. This can lead to a slightly fragmented experience if you’re used to playing on multiple devices.
Cross-Platform Play Between Different Console Generations
Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
When it comes to cross-platform play between different generations of Xbox consoles, compatibility is seamless. Players on Xbox One can easily join games with those on Xbox Series X|S. This ensures that you can continue playing with your friends even if they have upgraded to the latest console. However, it’s important to note that while Xbox users can crossplay with PC users who have purchased the game from the Microsoft Store, they cannot crossplay with PC users on Steam or the Epic Games Store.
PS4 and PS5
For PlayStation users, cross-platform play between PS4 and PS5 is also well-supported. You can team up with friends regardless of whether they are on the older PS4 or the newer PS5. This cross-gen compatibility within the same console brand ensures a unified gaming experience. However, similar to Xbox, PlayStation users cannot crossplay with Xbox users or PC users on different platforms.
Gameplay Differences
While cross-platform play is supported between different console generations, there may be some gameplay differences due to hardware capabilities. For instance, the Xbox Series X|S and PS5 offer enhanced graphics and faster load times compared to their predecessors. These differences, however, do not affect the core gameplay mechanics, allowing for a fair and enjoyable experience across all supported devices.
Cross-platform play between different console generations ensures that you can continue enjoying your favorite games with friends, regardless of the console they own. This feature is particularly beneficial for maintaining active player bases and fostering a more inclusive gaming community.
Conclusion
In summary, Ark: Survival Evolved offers a variety of cross-platform play options, but with certain limitations. While players on Xbox and Windows 10 PCs can enjoy cross-platform multiplayer if they have the game from the Microsoft Store, those using Steam or Epic Games versions are excluded from this feature. Similarly, mobile players on iOS and Android can play together, but cross-platform play between consoles and PCs generally requires dedicated servers. Therefore, while cross-platform play is available, it is essential to understand the specific conditions and limitations that apply to your gaming setup.
