What Is Cross-Play and Cross-Progression? (2025 Guide)
One of the best breakthroughs in gaming over the last few years has been the way progress and play have broken free of any single device.
Two features make that possible: cross‑progression, which carries your save data and unlocks wherever you go, and cross‑play, which brings everyone together in the same match no matter their console or PC.
Key Takeaways
Cross‑platform gaming isn’t just widespread—it’s becoming the standard:
- A majority of players (60–76%) now game across multiple devices.
- Tri‑platform users remain a critical group—spending more time and money.
- Developer response is strong: nearly all mid/large studios are embracing interoperability.
- Player expectations are in motion: half demand even more seamless cross‑device play.
Comscore (2024) reports 75% of U.S. gamers engage across more than one of the main platforms, with 40% playing on all three regularly (PC, console, mobile).
Nearly 70% of gamers use at least two devices, and 50% want more cross-device interoperability, according to VentureBeat/CTA 2024 survey.
76% of gamers play across multiple platforms.
What Is Cross-Play/Cross-Platform And Cross Progession Mean In Gaming?
Cross-play (also called cross-platform play) is a feature that allows players using different gaming platforms to play together online.
- A player on Xbox Series X can squad up with someone on PlayStation 5
- A PC player can join lobbies with friends on Nintendo Switch
- Even mobile players can sometimes join the same match as console users
While cross-progression is like jumping into Fortnite on your gaming rig at home, then heading out the door and picking up exactly where you left off on your PS5 at a friend’s house, and later squeezing in a few rounds on your phone during your commute.
That seamless handoff is cross‑progression.
Behind the scenes, you simply link your game ID (like Epic Games, Activision or Ubisoft) to each platform.
Popular Games That Support Cross-Play and Cross-Progression (2025)
Here’s a list of some of the most well-known titles and their cross-play and cross-progression status:
| Game Title | Cross-Play | Cross-Progression | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madden NFL 24 | ✅ | ✅ (Superstar mode) | PC (Steam/Epic), PS5, Xbox Series X/S |
| Sea of Thieves | ✅ | ❌ | PC, Xbox, PS5 |
| Phasmophobia | ✅ | ❌ | PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PSVR2 |
| Dying Light 2 | ❌¹ | ❌ | PC (Steam↔Epic), PS4/5, Xbox One/Series |
| Borderlands 2 | ✅ (console-gen) | ✅ (console-gen) | PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series |
| A Way Out | ❌ | ❌ | PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series |
| No Man’s Sky | ✅ | ✅ | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch, macOS, VR |
| Party Animals | ✅ | ❌ | PC, Xbox One/Series |
| UNO | ❌ | ❌ | PC, PS4/5, Xbox, Switch |
| Astroneer | ✅ | ❌ | PC, Xbox One/Series, PS4/5, Switch |
| State of Decay 2 | ✅ | ✅ | PC, Xbox One/Series |
| Golf With Your Friends | ❌ | ❌ | PC, PS4/5, Xbox, Switch |
| Monster Hunter World | ❌ | ❌ | PC, PS4, Xbox One |
| Gotham Knights | ✅ (PC ↔ Xbox) | ❌ | PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 (local) |
| UFC 5 | ✅ (PS5 ↔ Xbox Series) | ❌ | PS5, Xbox Series X/S |
| Sons of the Forest | ❌ | ❌ | PC (Steam) |
| Darktide | ✅ | ❌ | PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 |
| Injustice 2 | ❌ | ❌ | PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series |
| Fishing Planet | ✅ (PC MS Store/Epic ↔ Xbox) | ✅ | PC (Steam, MS Store, Epic), Xbox One/Series |
Some games like FIFA 24, NBA 2K, or The Division 2 have partial cross-play or limited cross-progression depending on region or mode.
Gears of War: Reloaded offers cross-play support across PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5—even during its June 2025 beta, players on different platforms were matched together seamlessly.
Monster Hunter Wilds launched in February 2025 with cross-platform multiplayer enabled by default, letting hunters team up across PC, PS5, and Xbox without extra setup.
How Cross-Play Support Is Affecting The Gaming Industry?
Cross‑play and cross‑progression are no longer just deluxe options—they’re expected features in any live‑service or competitive title.
Developers are building cloud‑first ecosystems from day one, and the next logical step is cross‑economy, where your in‑game currency and cosmetic purchases work exactly the same on every platform.
Soon, the question won’t be “Which device should I use?” but “Which game do I want to pick up first?” —because your progress and your friends will be waiting, regardless of where you play.
What to expect in 2025?
Technologies like unified accounts, cloud kiosks, and cross-save are shifting from “nice-to-have” to vital, meeting gamer demand and industry standards.
- Cross‑device play increased: up from 61% in the CTA study to ~75% (Comscore) and 76% (TechTarget/Informa).
- Tri‑platform penetration: a stable 15–40% across global and U.S. data sets.
- Studio adoption: 95% of larger studios are now building cross‑platform support from the ground up.
- Player demand remains high: 50% want even tighter integration and smoother cross-device experiences .
