Raft has become one of the most popular survival games in recent years, known for its open-world exploration, cooperative multiplayer mode, and crafting mechanics. A common question among players is, Is Raft crossplay. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Raft’s compatibility across various platforms and how to make the most of its multiplayer features.
What is Cross-play and Why Does it Matter?
Before diving into Raft’s platform compatibility, let’s quickly define cross-play. Cross-play, short for cross-platform play, refers to the ability to play a game with other players on different devices. This feature allows gamers to team up, regardless of whether they’re playing on a PC, PlayStation, or other consoles, making multiplayer experiences far more inclusive. For survival games like Raft, where teamwork is key, the ability to cross-play can drastically enhance the experience by expanding your potential player base.
Raft’s Platform Compatibility
Currently, Raft is available on PC and PlayStation, but the ability to play with others across these platforms is limited. As of now, Raft does not support full cross-play between PC and PlayStation platforms, meaning players on these devices cannot interact with each other in the same game world.
PC Version of Raft
The PC version of Raft is available through Steam, and it’s the most popular platform for the game. Players on PC can enjoy online multiplayer and connect with other users running the same version of the game, including with those using mods or custom content. However, since cross-play is not supported, PC players cannot join games hosted on PlayStation or other consoles.
PlayStation Version of Raft
Raft was released for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, making it accessible to console gamers. However, similar to the PC version, the PlayStation version doesn’t allow cross-play with PC players. This is something that many console players wish would change, as being able to play with friends on PC could add more fun to the survival adventure.
What Platforms Support Multiplayer in Raft?
While Raft doesn’t yet offer cross-play across all devices, multiplayer functionality is still available. Here’s how multiplayer works on the available platforms:
PC Multiplayer
PC players can connect with other players who also have the game installed via LAN or the online multiplayer system. To play with others online, players need to host a game or join one that’s already in progress. If your friends are playing on PC, you won’t have to worry about compatibility issues.
PlayStation Multiplayer
On PlayStation, players can join online sessions and create games, but like PC, this is limited to PlayStation consoles. A key factor here is that the PlayStation version also features multiplayer, so players can team up, explore the vast ocean, and build their raft together. However, as stated, PlayStation users cannot team up with PC players due to the lack of cross-play support.
Will Raft Ever Support Cross-play in the Future?
As of the latest updates, Raft developers have not officially announced whether they plan to introduce full cross-play functionality. However, the popularity of cross-play in multiplayer games is growing, and many players hope that the Raft development team will prioritize this feature in future updates.
There’s always a possibility that Raft will support cross-play in future versions, given the growing demand for the feature. The gaming community has expressed interest in bridging the gap between different platforms, but for now, players will need to stick to platform-specific multiplayer.
How to Make the Most of Raft’s Current Multiplayer Options
While cross-play may not be available in Raft yet, there are still ways to make multiplayer more enjoyable:
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Host Private Servers: Players on PC can create private multiplayer servers where only invited players can join. This helps ensure you’re only playing with people you want to, providing a more controlled experience.
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Invite Friends to Your Game: Whether you’re playing on PlayStation or PC, you can always invite friends to join your game. This can make a big difference in cooperative gameplay, where working together is essential.
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Consider Using Discord: For better coordination, players on different platforms can use Discord to communicate while playing, even if they are not able to cross-play in the game itself.
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Stay Updated for New Features: Keep an eye out for Raft’s updates and announcements. The developers are known to continually improve the game, and you might see cross-play become a reality in the future.
Conclusion
However, multiplayer is still alive and well within the same platform, offering players the chance to enjoy this exciting survival game with friends, whether on PC or PlayStation. The future of cross-play remains uncertain, but with the growing demand for this feature in multiplayer games, there’s always hope that Raft will eventually enable cross-platform play for all players, no matter their device.