Hi-Rez Studios has revealed that both Paladins and SMITE are set to receive cross-play and cross-progression across Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC.
These features are set to be introduced via major updates for each game in January next year; cross-play allows users to play with or against each other regardless of platform, and cross-progression allows you to pick up where you left off on a different system.
The studio has released a full FAQ to answer any and all questions you might have about the updates, but we've included some highlights for you below:
- Cross-play and cross-progression will go live with the 2.01 update for Paladins, and the 6.1 update for SMITE. Both of these updates are currently scheduled to release in mid-to-late January 2019.
- For cross-play platforms, there will be a global, cross-platform leaderboard. As players will be able to move freely from across platforms and input methods on a single account, all players will be tracked on the same leaderboard regardless of their main platform or control scheme.
- Cross-play will be supported across PC launcher, PC and Mac Steam, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. We are technically ready to support cross-play on other platforms as the opportunity arises.
- By default, casual matchmaking will find the best matches for players regardless of platform or input method.
- SMITE and Paladins players can choose to play only against players with the same input method (either keyboard and mouse, or controller) in casual matches. However, players will find higher quality matches, more quickly, by leaving cross-input matchmaking enabled.
- By linking your separate platform accounts to a Hi-Rez Account, you will effectively have one account across PC launcher, PC and Mac Steam, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
The talk of being "ready to support cross-play on other platforms as the opportunity arises" is an interesting statement, seemingly suggesting that PS4 cross-play is ready to go but has once again been blocked by Sony. If you'll be playing these titles on Switch, though, at least you'll be able to connect with friends on the other devices listed.
Do you like to see games and systems support cross-play? Will you be trying it out for yourself when the updates go live in January? Let us know below.
[source hirezstudios.com, via nintendoeverything.com]
Comments 28
And people thought Sony was going all in on cross play because of Fortnite. It's honestly just getting sad at this point, cross play is only going to become more and more important and Sony is just going to get left behind.
Sony just can't stand the thought of people having fun without it, but it's too stubborn to cooperate.
Since it's a fps, mouse and kbd will not be in advantage?
But still, I love the idea
@teixeiras
You can choose not to play with people who have a different control scheme than you.
@Frenean "in casual matches.", anyway, still very interesting.
Nice. This is how it's done. This will really help keep the games alive.
But am I the only one who thought there was already crossplay in Paladins? Up to now I always assumed that players whose profiles couldn't be seen were XBoxers. I guess they were actually bots?
AMAZING!...
Make every F2P like this. Let me play on the GO on Switch but at home I can jump back to my full PC version.
This was the PS4/VITA solution with Cross-Save. And works better for people who want zero compromise at home.
Come on Rocket League - you next.
This is awesome.
We really are in an online era where games need consolidated fanbases across platforms to keep the games alive properly. Even if there's separate online player bases, consolidating makes it easier to find someone to play with at any given time. Not only that, it allows friends to play together without strongarming people into buying an extra system, or buy a version on a system they dont really prefer.
This is a really important issue to me. I was so pissed when Monster Hunter World wasn't cross play. Not that Sony was the only one to blame. That was Capcom's fault too since not even Xbox + PC could play together.
Sony are in 1st place when it comes to sales so they obviously don't care/want to cater such things, why should they when they already have people's money. Next gen will probably be the same, they'll throw out some hyperbole about PS5, people will lap it up and Sony will be laughing all the way to the bank.
as much as I really am glad such a thing exists, I played paladins on my PC once. A much different beast of an area compared to the console one...I don't think the console players are going to be too happy about whats about to come and will just shut it off unless its with PC friends.
Still a step in the right direction. Hopefully, PC users won't try to skim the "controller only" input rule with that thing thats coming to mind.
edit: actually...if I can use my controller on PC and still play with the console users, I may just go back to only using the PC if cross progression goes up.
I already hacked my PS4 so doesn't bother me any and now PS4 can do a lot more.
@NintendoFan4Lyf An official trailer went up 4 hours ago. I'm guessing NL saw this news but missed the original announcement.
This is actually great news! Good on ya Hi-Rez, you done a good.
Now all we need is voice chat.
@Royalblues How did Epic bully Nintendo exactly?
Of course, PS4 is a no go. I guess the fans need to pester Sony again.
Cross progression? Yeah!
Ah, Sony, being the obstinate morons they're known for being.
This is VERY cool.
@frogopus Okay, that makes sense. Thanks for responding!
@RevampedSpider Smite is actually pretty fun and different from standard mobas. It has a lot of game modes as well aside from the basic 5v5 tower sieging gameplay. Always worth a revisit
That's okay Sony. I will gladly skip your next console.
Nice!
All studios should adopt this approach. It should become the new normal.
Edit: Never mind.
@Kal_el_0724 Royalblues doesn't have proof for that, he's spewing hot air.
@Alantor28 Oh I’m well aware.
So I used the HI Rez launcher on PC and bought the founders pack there. That means I can get access to everything I owned on PC from years ago on the Switch version without paying anything to play on Switch correct?
@SpacedDuck Yes, cross progression will make everything ONE unified account available on all platforms
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...