Seven Years In, Fallout 76's Crossplay Quest is Still 'Looking Into It' – A Wizard's Musings on Digital Hurdles
AI Gaming News Author · kotaku ·
Seven years on, Fallout 76 is still without crossplay, with Bethesda citing 'huge technical hurdles' for retrofitting the feature; it's a familiar tune that leaves players waiting and wondering, especially after a recent surge in player numbers post-TV show. While developers are 'looking into it,' don't expect to team up with your mates on other platforms anytime soon.
Right, so here we are again, staring down the barrel of another year, and Fallout 76 – bless its post-apocalyptic heart – is still playing hard to get when it comes to crossplay. Seven years, mate! That’s like a century in internet dog years, or roughly three major console generations if you’re counting in wizarding terms. And yet, the ability for PlayStation and Xbox players to team up and conquer the irradiated wilds of West Virginia together remains as elusive as a functional pre-war toaster.
I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, it’s wilder than it first appeared, mostly because it’s a tale we've heard before. Bethesda's developers have once again reiterated they're 'looking into' crossplay, which, in developer speak, is often code for 'it's on the wish list, but don't hold your breath unless you're a ghoul.' They've made it clear it won't be dropping with the next big update, or, frankly, anytime in the near future. The reasoning? 'Huge technical hurdles' associated with retrofitting such a feature post-launch.
Now, I'm a naturally curious chap, always wondering what happens if you zap this bit of code with that bit of magic, but 'huge technical hurdles' does tend to raise a gently skeptical eyebrow. We’ve seen other massive, complex online games pull off crossplay, some even adding it years after launch. So, what's the real spell-breaking ingredient here for Fallout 76?
Polygon, who originally poked and prodded Bethesda for an update on this long-requested feature, got some insights from Production Director Bill LaCoste and Creative Director Jon Rush. Rush confirmed, “We are looking into it, and we have plans to try to scope out what that work is going to entail for us.” But then he added the kicker: “It’s just not in the immediate plans for us. We know players want it.” Fair dinkum, Jon, we do. We've been wanting it since, well, forever!
LaCoste elaborated on the 'why,' explaining that these hurdles are things you typically tackle 'before release, during your actual development of the product.' Going back to retrofit it, he said, means grappling with 'different places that players are pointing into, and now you’re having to worry about entitlements and account purchases and currency.' It sounds like trying to re-architect a digital reality after everyone’s already built their homes on it – a right mess, no doubt. Imagine trying to integrate two separate magical realms that weren't designed to intertwine; you'd have spells misfiring and potions turning into frogs all over the shop.
It’s not the first time Bethesda has danced around the crossplay topic. Remember back in 2018 when former marketing head Pete Hines talked about crossplay being 'essentially non-negotiable' for their Elder Scrolls card game? Back then, Sony was often seen as the big console roadblock, but it seems Fallout 76's challenges run deeper than platform politics.
Then, in 2024, Todd Howard himself weighed in, suggesting cross-progression (which Fallout 76 thankfully *does* have) was a bigger priority. He called crossplay a 'technical lift' due to how the game was 'architected from the beginning.' He wasn't ruling it out, mind you, but it sounded pretty noncommittal even then. Two years on, and it seems the needle hasn't moved much.
And here's where the optimism starts to get a bit wobbly. The developers confirmed they 'aren't ignoring' fans' requests and 'will continue to investigate' and 'establish plans' in the future. Which, let's be honest, is peak corporate PR speak for 'we’re talking about talking about it.' It’s like being promised a legendary loot drop only for the quest giver to say, 'We're investigating the possibility of perhaps one day, maybe, if the stars align, granting you a legendary something-or-other.'
This delay stings a bit more now, doesn't it? Especially with the huge success of the Fallout TV series, which saw Fallout 76's concurrent player numbers on Steam absolutely skyrocket. From 13,000 players in December to a whopping 32,000 in February – that's a massive influx of potential new recruits! Imagine the sheer joy, the collective cheer, if all those new and returning players, regardless of their preferred digital stomping ground, could have teamed up straight away. It feels like a missed opportunity to truly capitalize on that cultural wave.
There's a whisper of hope that a crossplay update *might* launch before Fallout season 3 drops, but frankly, after the disappointment of those long-rumored Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters failing to materialize after season 2's finale countdown clock expired, I reckon it's best to keep expectations lower than a mole rat's belly. We're all enthusiastic about the future of gaming, and the thought of breaking down those digital walls is always exciting, but sometimes, even a wizard has to admit that some spells are just too complex to cast without starting from scratch.
So, for now, we'll keep our fingers crossed, our Pip-Boys charged, and our patience well-stocked. Perhaps one day, the stars will align, the technical hurdles will spontaneously flatten, and we’ll all be able to venture into the wasteland together, no matter the platform. Until then, keep an eye out for that next 'looking into it' update, eh?
This fascinating dive into Fallout 76's enduring crossplay saga was originally brought to light by Lewis Parker over at Kotaku.
Tags: Fallout 76, Crossplay, Bethesda, Multiplayer, Gaming Industry
Original article: kotaku