Is The Forest Cross Platform?
As gaming continues to evolve, the demand for cross-platform play is higher than ever. Players want the flexibility to team up with friends across various devices and consoles, regardless of the hardware they’re using. The Forest, an open-world survival horror game, has captivated players with its intense gameplay and eerie atmosphere. But as of 2024, many fans still wonder: is The Forest cross-platform? Let’s explore the current state of cross-play in The Forest and what you can expect if you’re hoping to play with friends on different devices.
What is Cross-Platform Play?
Before diving into The Forest’s cross-play situation, it’s important to understand what cross-platform play means. Cross-platform, or cross-play, refers to the ability for players on different devices or systems (such as PlayStation, Xbox, or PC) to play together in multiplayer modes. This feature breaks down the walls that traditionally separate players who game on different platforms, allowing them to share the same game world, regardless of hardware.
For example, if a game supports cross-play, an Xbox player can join a multiplayer session with friends who are using a PlayStation or PC. This has become increasingly important as gaming communities strive to unite players, making multiplayer experiences more accessible. Cross-play allows friends to stay connected regardless of their preferred gaming device, promoting inclusivity and a broader social experience. With the rise of competitive gaming and online communities, cross-platform play is seen as a vital feature that enhances the overall gaming experience.
Is The Forest Cross-Platform in 2024?
As of 2024, The Forest does not support cross-platform play. This means that players on different platforms, such as PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, cannot join multiplayer sessions together. If you’re hoping to team up with friends across different systems, you’ll be disappointed to find that The Forest remains limited in terms of cross-play capabilities.
Here’s a breakdown of the current cross-platform situation in The Forest:
PC and PlayStation
There is no cross-play support between PC and PlayStation. Players on these platforms are limited to playing with others who are on the same platform. For example, if you’re playing on a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5, you cannot join games hosted on PC and vice versa. This separation can be frustrating for friends who want to play together but have different gaming setups.
PlayStation Consoles (PS4 and PS5)
While The Forest does not support cross-play between PlayStation and other platforms, it does support cross-generation play within the PlayStation ecosystem. This means that PS4 and PS5 players can play together as long as they are both using the same version of the game. This intra-family compatibility is a great feature that allows players to enjoy the game together without having to worry about console upgrades affecting their gaming experience.
Xbox and Other Platforms
The Forest is not available on Xbox platforms at this time, so there’s no cross-play capability with Xbox users. The lack of an Xbox version of The Forest limits its cross-play potential even further. This absence from the Xbox platform also means that a significant portion of the gaming community is excluded from experiencing the game, which could affect its overall player base.
VR and Non-VR
While The Forest has a virtual reality (VR) mode, there is no cross-play between VR and non-VR players. VR users must play with others who are also using the VR version of the game. This limitation can be a drawback for those who want to enjoy the immersive experience of VR alongside their friends who are playing in standard mode.
Why Doesn’t The Forest Support Cross-Platform Play?
Given that many modern games are moving toward cross-platform functionality, why doesn’t The Forest have this feature? There are several reasons why cross-play might not be available in The Forest:
Platform-Specific Development
The Forest was originally developed for PC, with a console version being released later for PlayStation. The development team may have built the game with platform-specific optimizations, leading to technical challenges when trying to integrate cross-play between PC and console versions. Each platform has its unique architecture, which complicates the process of merging gameplay across different systems.
Technical Limitations
Implementing cross-play requires a significant amount of technical effort. The game’s codebase would need to be modified to allow different versions of the game to communicate seamlessly. This can be particularly challenging for a game like The Forest, which has complex systems for survival mechanics, crafting, and multiplayer synchronization. The developers may have chosen to allocate resources to other features or improvements rather than focusing on cross-play.
Update Discrepancies
Like many games, The Forest has different update schedules for its PC and console versions. PC versions of games typically receive patches and updates faster than their console counterparts. These version mismatches make cross-play difficult because players on different platforms would be using different versions of the game, potentially leading to bugs and gameplay inconsistencies.
Server Infrastructure
Cross-play often requires dedicated servers to ensure smooth communication between platforms. It’s possible that The Forest relies on peer-to-peer multiplayer connections, which makes cross-play harder to implement, as it would require overhauling the multiplayer infrastructure. This reliance on peer-to-peer connections can also lead to connectivity issues, which would be exacerbated by cross-platform gameplay.
Focus on Sequel (Sons of the Forest)
Another factor could be the developers’ focus on The Forest’s upcoming sequel, Sons of the Forest, which was first announced in 2019. The development of this sequel may be taking precedence over implementing new features like cross-play in the original game. As the sequel progresses, it’s likely that resources are being allocated toward ensuring that Sons of the Forest meets modern gaming standards, which could further delay cross-play considerations for the original title.
Will The Forest Support Cross-Platform Play in the Future?
As of now, there is no official word from the developers at Endnight Games regarding the implementation of cross-play in The Forest. The studio has been relatively quiet about new updates or features for the game, focusing instead on the development of its sequel, Sons of the Forest.
While it’s possible that cross-play could be added in a future update, there’s no guarantee that it will happen. The more likely scenario is that Sons of the Forest could include cross-platform functionality, especially if player demand is high and if the developers want to align with modern gaming trends. Players should keep an eye on official announcements and community feedback, as increased interest in cross-play might prompt the developers to reconsider their stance on this feature.
How to Play The Forest with Friends
Although The Forest doesn’t support cross-platform play, you can still enjoy multiplayer with friends on the same platform. Here’s how you can team up with friends, depending on your device:
PC Multiplayer
On PC, The Forest supports multiplayer via Steam. You can invite your Steam friends to join your game or join their games using the following steps:
- Launch the game and click on “Multiplayer.”
- Select “Host Game” to create a session or “Join Game” to find and join a friend’s game.
- Share your session’s server name or join via the Steam friends list. This process is seamless and allows for a quick connection, letting you dive straight into the action.
PlayStation Multiplayer
On PlayStation, you can play with friends who own the game on the same console family (PS4 or PS5). Here’s how:
- Launch the game and choose “Multiplayer.”
- Select “Host Game” to start a new world or “Join Game” to play in an existing world.
- Invite your PlayStation friends through the PlayStation Network (PSN) friends list to join your session. The ease of inviting friends makes it convenient to get everyone together for some cooperative gameplay.
VR Mode Multiplayer
If you’re playing The Forest in VR mode, you can still team up with other VR players:
- Start the game in VR mode.
- Navigate to the multiplayer options and follow the same steps as the regular PC version.
- Keep in mind that you can only play with other VR users. This exclusivity can enhance the immersive experience but also limits your player pool.
While The Forest remains a popular survival horror game, its cross-platform limitations may frustrate players hoping to team up with friends on different systems. As of 2024, the game supports multiplayer within the same platform but lacks cross-play capabilities between PC, PlayStation, and other devices. The future of cross-platform play in The Forest is uncertain, especially with the development focus likely shifting toward the upcoming sequel, Sons of the Forest. For now, if you want to enjoy the eerie wilderness of The Forest with friends, make sure you’re all playing on the same platform.
FAQs On Is The Forest Cross-Platform?
Is The Forest cross-platform between PC and PlayStation?
No, The Forest does not support cross-platform play between PC and PlayStation. Players on these platforms cannot join multiplayer sessions together.
Can PlayStation 4 players play with PlayStation 5 players?
Yes, The Forest supports cross-generation play within the PlayStation ecosystem. PS4 and PS5 players can join each other’s games as long as they are using the same version of the game.
Is there cross-play between PC and Xbox?
Currently, The Forest is not available on Xbox, so there is no cross-play capability between PC and Xbox users. Players on these platforms cannot play together.
Does The Forest support cross-play for VR and non-VR players?
No, there is no cross-play between VR and non-VR players. Players using the VR version must join other players who are also using the VR mode.
Why doesn’t The Forest support cross-platform play?
The Forest does not support cross-platform play due to several factors, including technical limitations, differing update schedules across platforms, and the developers’ focus on platform-specific optimizations.
Will cross-platform play be added in the future?
As of now, there has been no official announcement from the developers regarding the addition of cross-platform play in The Forest. Future updates may focus on the sequel, Sons of the Forest, which could potentially include cross-play features.
How can I play The Forest with friends?
You can play with friends on the same platform. For PC, use Steam to host or join games. For PlayStation, use the PlayStation Network to invite friends to your multiplayer session.
Can I join a friend’s game on The Forest?
Yes, as long as you and your friend are on the same platform, you can join each other’s games. Simply navigate to the multiplayer section in the game and follow the prompts to join a friend’s session.
