Is Ark Survival Evolved Cross Platform? – PS4/5, XBOX & PC

ARK: Survival Evolved, a massively popular survival game, allows players to explore a vast open world teeming with prehistoric creatures. The game has built a dedicated fanbase across a wide range of platforms, including PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and mobile devices.

As cross-platform play becomes more common in multiplayer games, many players wonder if ARK allows them to team up with friends on different platforms in 2024. In this blog, we’ll discuss ARK’s cross-play capabilities, its limitations, and provide insights on how to connect with friends on different devices.

What Is Cross-Platform Play?

Before diving into ARK’s specific cross-platform features, let’s first understand what cross-platform play (or cross-play) is. Cross-play allows gamers using different devices to join the same game session, breaking the traditional barriers between platforms. For example, a player on Xbox could join a session with someone playing on PC or PlayStation. This capability has gained immense popularity because it allows friends to play together no matter what gaming system they own.

Cross-play also increases the pool of available players, making it easier to find matches and create a diverse multiplayer experience. However, not all games support cross-platform play, and many titles, like ARK: Survival Evolved, have specific limitations depending on the platform.

Is ARK: Survival Evolved Cross-Platform?

As of 2024, ARK: Survival Evolved is partially cross-platform, meaning some platforms can connect with each other, while others are isolated. Here’s a detailed breakdown of ARK’s cross-play features and the specific platform combinations that work together:

PC and Xbox

Yes, ARK supports cross-play between PC and Xbox, but only under certain conditions. Cross-play is enabled between the Microsoft Store version of the game on PC and players on Xbox One/Series X/S. If you own ARK through the Microsoft Store on your Windows PC, you can easily connect and play with friends on Xbox consoles using Xbox Live. This means that players in the Microsoft ecosystem can enjoy multiplayer together seamlessly.

However, if you’re playing ARK on Steam or Epic Games, you won’t be able to play with Xbox users, as these platforms are not cross-compatible with Xbox. The restriction is largely due to differences in the game versions and the online infrastructure supporting these platforms.

PC (Steam/Epic Games) and Xbox

Unfortunately, there is no cross-play between Steam or Epic Games on PC and Xbox. PC players using these platforms are limited to playing with other PC players on the same platform (i.e., Steam users with Steam users, and Epic Games users with other Epic Games users). This is one of the more frustrating limitations for ARK players who have friends on Xbox but own the game through Steam or Epic.

Although there are unofficial workarounds, such as creating private servers that might allow limited cross-platform interaction, these methods are not officially supported by the game and come with technical challenges. This platform separation is primarily due to different update schedules, modding capabilities, and technical infrastructure that prevent smooth cross-play integration between PC and Xbox players on Steam or Epic.

PC and PlayStation

As of 2024, ARK: Survival Evolved does not support cross-play between PC and PlayStation. Whether you’re playing on Steam, Epic Games, or the Microsoft Store, there is no way to join friends playing ARK on PlayStation consoles. This limitation remains a significant barrier for those wanting to play with friends on different platforms.

The reason behind this lack of cross-play stems from technical differences and policies between PlayStation and other platforms. While Sony has slowly opened the door to cross-play for certain games in recent years, ARK has not yet implemented this feature for PlayStation users, and no official announcements have been made to suggest that it will be added anytime soon.

PlayStation and Xbox

Similarly, PlayStation and Xbox players cannot play together in ARK: Survival Evolved. Cross-play between these two major console families is not available, which can be disappointing for players who want to enjoy ARK with friends who own different gaming systems.

Cross-play between PlayStation and Xbox has become more common in recent years for games like Fortnite and Call of Duty, but ARK hasn’t followed this trend. The differences in server infrastructure and platform-specific optimizations contribute to this limitation, making it impossible for ARK players on PlayStation and Xbox to join each other’s games.

Mobile Devices (iOS and Android)

Yes, ARK: Survival Evolved has a mobile version available for iOS and Android devices, and cross-play is fully supported between these mobile platforms. If you’re playing ARK on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device, you can connect and play with friends who are using different mobile operating systems. This makes it easy for mobile gamers to enjoy ARK together regardless of whether they use iOS or Android.

However, keep in mind that the mobile version is separate from the console and PC versions, so cross-play is limited to mobile devices only. The mobile experience of ARK is slightly scaled down compared to the PC and console versions, but it still offers the core survival gameplay that ARK fans love.

Why Doesn’t ARK Support Full Cross-Platform Play?

There are several reasons why ARK: Survival Evolved doesn’t support full cross-platform play, despite the game’s availability on so many different platforms. Here are the main factors that limit cross-play in ARK:

Different Game Versions

One of the most significant challenges is that ARK’s versions across platforms are not always synchronized. The PC version often receives updates and patches ahead of the console versions, creating version mismatches that make it difficult for players on different platforms to join the same game session. Until updates are released simultaneously for all platforms, full cross-play will be difficult to implement.

Technical Hurdles

Each gaming platform has unique hardware architectures, performance capabilities, and control schemes. For example, PC players have the ability to use mods, which can’t be easily implemented on consoles. Likewise, mobile devices have their own optimizations for touchscreen controls, which differ greatly from the button-based input of consoles and PCs. Balancing these technical differences for cross-play requires significant development effort.

Platform Policies

Cross-play isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s also a policy issue. Each platform, such as Sony’s PlayStation Network, Microsoft’s Xbox Live, and Steam’s PC network, has its own rules about cross-play. For example, Sony has historically been resistant to allowing cross-play with other platforms, which limits ARK’s ability to offer a fully unified multiplayer experience.

Also Read: Is The Forest Cross Platform?

Security and Stability

Allowing cross-play across so many different platforms can create challenges in terms of maintaining server stability and preventing cheating. Synchronizing updates, managing different levels of performance, and ensuring a consistent multiplayer experience are complex tasks. Studio Wildcard, ARK’s developer, has to weigh these factors when considering whether to expand cross-play support.

How to Play ARK with Friends Across Platforms

Even though ARK: Survival Evolved doesn’t support full cross-platform play, there are still ways to enjoy multiplayer gameplay with friends, depending on the platforms you and your friends are using:

Xbox and PC (Microsoft Store): If you own ARK on Xbox or the Microsoft Store version on PC, you can easily play together by inviting friends through Xbox Live. Make sure both parties are on the same version of the game, and you can seamlessly connect in multiplayer sessions.

Mobile Players: ARK’s mobile version supports cross-play between iOS and Android devices. If you and your friends are on mobile, use the in-game multiplayer features to invite each other into your worlds, and you’ll be able to enjoy ARK together.

Custom Servers: For Steam and Epic Games players on PC, you can set up a dedicated server or join unofficial servers that support cross-play between different platforms. Although these servers are not officially supported by the game, they offer a workaround for players who want to enjoy a cross-platform experience on PC.

Is ARK Cross Play Between PS4 and PC?

No, ARK: Survival Evolved does not support cross-play between PS4 (or PS5) and PC. Players on these platforms cannot join the same servers or engage in multiplayer gameplay together.

The main reason for this limitation is due to differences in game updates, performance optimizations, and how the game is handled between console and PC platforms. PlayStation and PC players experience different content updates at different times, which creates discrepancies between game versions. As a result, both platforms remain isolated from one another in terms of multiplayer capabilities.

Is ARK Crossplay PC and Mobile?

ARK: Survival Evolved does not offer cross-play between PC and mobile platforms. While both versions of the game exist, they are designed and optimized very differently. The PC version is far more complex, featuring advanced graphics, more intricate gameplay mechanics, and broader modding capabilities, whereas the mobile version has been scaled down to ensure it runs smoothly on lower-spec devices.

Due to these technical differences, cross-play is not feasible between these two versions. This means mobile players must stick to playing with others on mobile, while PC players can only join other PC-based servers.

Is ARK Cross-Platform Xbox and PC Steam?

ARK is not cross-platform between Xbox and the Steam or Epic Games versions on PC. However, players who own the Microsoft Store version of ARK on a Windows 10/11 PC can cross-play with those on Xbox consoles. The difference lies in how the game is distributed and supported across these platforms, with Steam and Epic Games versions having separate servers and infrastructure from the Microsoft ecosystem.

The Microsoft Store version of ARK allows cross-play within Microsoft’s ecosystem, ensuring a smoother multiplayer experience for Xbox and Windows users. Steam and Epic players, however, are locked into their own respective ecosystems.

Does Ark Survival Evolved Have Cross Progression Support?

Yes, ARK: Survival Evolved does offer limited cross-progression support, but only between specific platforms. Cross-progression is available between Xbox and Windows PC via the Microsoft Store, as both platforms share the same ecosystem through Xbox Play Anywhere. This allows players to transfer their progress, including characters, inventory, and game data, seamlessly between Xbox and PC.

However, cross-progression is not available between other platforms like PlayStation, Steam, or Nintendo Switch. If you’re playing on one of these platforms, your progress will remain tied to that specific system.

Does Ark Survival Evolved Have Cross Generation Support?

Yes, ARK: Survival Evolved has cross-generation support within the same console family. Players on older consoles like PlayStation 4 and Xbox One can play with those on newer consoles such as PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. This feature allows gamers to continue playing together despite hardware differences, ensuring that the community remains unified across different generations.

Cross-generation support also means that players can upgrade to a newer console without losing access to their friends or multiplayer games, which enhances the longevity of the game’s player base. However, as with many titles, this support is restricted to the same console family (e.g., PlayStation players cannot connect with Xbox players).

Is ARK Cross-Platform Xbox and Mobile?

Unfortunately, ARK: Survival Evolved does not support cross-platform play between Xbox and mobile devices. The mobile version of ARK is quite different from the console versions, both in terms of performance and content. Mobile devices require a simplified version of the game that works on touchscreens and lower-end hardware, while the Xbox version offers a more feature-rich experience.

Because of these differences, cross-play between Xbox and mobile platforms isn’t possible. This separation allows each platform to offer the best possible gameplay experience without the complications of cross-play compatibility.

Is ARK: Survival Evolved Cross-Platform Android and iOS?

Yes, ARK: Survival Evolved supports cross-platform play between Android and iOS devices. This means that players on iPhones, iPads, and Android smartphones or tablets can easily join each other’s multiplayer games. The mobile version of ARK has been designed to offer the same gameplay experience across both operating systems, making it easy for friends using different devices to team up.

The cross-play functionality between Android and iOS is seamless, and the game automatically connects players, regardless of their device. This opens up a wider range of multiplayer opportunities for mobile gamers.

Is ARK Survival Cross-Platform PS4/PS5 and Mobile?

No, ARK is not cross-platform between PS4/PS5 and mobile devices. The PlayStation and mobile versions of the game are developed separately and are optimized for their respective hardware. PlayStation consoles offer a much more advanced gaming experience with higher graphical fidelity and richer gameplay, whereas the mobile version is scaled down for touch controls and lower processing power.

As a result, cross-play between these platforms isn’t supported. This limitation keeps both versions running smoothly on their respective devices but prevents interaction between PlayStation and mobile users.

Is ARK: Survival Evolved Cross-Platform Xbox and PS4/PS5?

ARK does not support cross-play between Xbox and PlayStation consoles. Players on Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S cannot team up with those on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5, as the two console families remain separate for multiplayer purposes.

This is mainly due to differences in how Microsoft and Sony handle cross-platform features, as well as differences in game versions and updates. Cross-play between these two major consoles has been requested by fans, but the technical and policy hurdles have made it difficult to implement. For now, Xbox and PlayStation users remain in their own ecosystems for multiplayer gaming.

Is ARK 2 Going to Be Cross-Platform?

While there is no official confirmation yet, many players are hopeful that ARK 2 will offer cross-platform support across all major systems. Given the growing demand for cross-play in modern multiplayer games, and the lessons learned from ARK: Survival Evolved, it’s likely that Studio Wildcard will consider cross-platform functionality for ARK 2.

If cross-play is implemented, it would allow players on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC to join the same servers and play together. As more details about ARK 2 emerge, players are keeping an eye out for announcements regarding cross-platform capabilities, hoping for a more connected multiplayer experience.

Future of Cross-Platform in ARK: Survival Evolved

While ARK: Survival Evolved currently has limited cross-play functionality, the future of cross-platform gaming is promising. The growing demand for cross-play across titles in the industry suggests that ARK’s developers may eventually expand cross-platform capabilities.

Studio Wildcard has shown a commitment to updating and supporting ARK over the years, and with the upcoming release of ARK II, there may be new opportunities for improved cross-play integration. Players can remain hopeful that as cross-platform gaming continues to grow in popularity, ARK will evolve to offer more seamless connectivity between all platforms.

In 2024, ARK: Survival Evolved remains partially cross-platform, but there are limitations depending on which devices you and your friends are using. Cross-play is supported between Xbox and the Microsoft Store version of ARK on PC, and mobile players can connect across iOS and Android devices.

However, full cross-play across all platforms, including PlayStation and Steam, is not available. As the gaming industry moves toward more inclusive multiplayer experiences, there is hope that ARK could see expanded cross-play capabilities in future updates or even in its sequel, ARK II.

Also Read: Is Terraria Cross Platform? 

FAQs on Is Ark Survival Evolved Cross Platform?

Can PC players play ARK: Survival Evolved with Xbox players?

Yes, but only under specific circumstances. If you’re playing the Microsoft Store version of ARK on a Windows 10/11 PC, you can cross-play with players on Xbox consoles. However, if you’re using the Steam or Epic Games version of ARK on PC, cross-play with Xbox is not supported. Steam and Epic Games players have separate servers and cannot connect with Xbox players.

Does ARK support cross-play between PS4/PS5 and PC?

No, ARK: Survival Evolved does not support cross-play between PlayStation (PS4/PS5) and PC players. Due to differences in game updates, performance, and modding capabilities, cross-play between PlayStation consoles and PC is not available. Each platform operates in its own multiplayer environment.

Can mobile players join ARK: Survival Evolved games on console or PC?

No, ARK does not support cross-play between mobile devices (Android or iOS) and consoles (PlayStation, Xbox) or PC. The mobile version of ARK is designed differently from the console and PC versions to run efficiently on smartphones and tablets, which prevents cross-play with other platforms.

Is ARK cross-platform between PlayStation and Xbox consoles?

No, ARK: Survival Evolved does not support cross-play between PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Players on PlayStation 4/5 cannot play with those on Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S. Both console families remain separate for multiplayer gaming, and there is no cross-play between them.

Can iOS and Android players cross-play in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Yes, ARK: Survival Evolved supports cross-play between iOS and Android devices. Players on iPhones, iPads, and Android smartphones or tablets can join the same servers and play together without any issues. The mobile version of ARK offers a seamless multiplayer experience across both mobile operating systems.