The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is a Massive multiplayer online role-playing game set in the expansive world of Tamriel, the game is part of the popular Elder Scrolls franchise and takes place about 1,000 years before the events of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The game is designed to be multiplayer hence many players ask “Is ESO Cross-platform or not?”
It combines elements of traditional role-playing games with online multiplayer features, allowing players to explore a vast, open world filled with rich lore, diverse landscapes, and a variety of quests.
Is ESO Crossplatform?
Many fans of The Elder Scrolls Online, known for its story-driven and amazing gameplay, often discuss one key issue: there is no cross-platform play. The game is specific to each platform, so players can only interact with others on the same system.
This has been a point of discussion within the ESO community regarding the ESO cross-platform, especially as more games adopt crossplay. While it might feel like a limitation, ESO still offers a rich and immersive experience on each platform.
Many players hope that cross-platform play will be introduced in the future, as it could open up new possibilities for interacting and adventuring with friends across different systems.
Challenges for Implementing Crossplay Features
Cross-platform play is exciting, but it has challenges. In ESO, bringing cross-platform play faces a few problems.
These include balancing gameplay elements, dealing with technical differences between platforms, managing network issues like latency, and disrupting in-game economies and communities.
ESO’s server setup makes cross-platform play even more complicated. The current servers were not built to support multiple platforms in a shared space. Also, console players may face a disadvantage against PC players because consoles do not support addons.
ESO’s server system uses Megaserver technology, which lets all players use one server but in separate worlds. Adding cross-platform features to this setup requires making sure everything is compatible and improving game performance. This comes with major technical challenges.
Server capacity is another big issue when it comes to cross-platform play. In online games, the player’s device often acts as the server, and its hardware limits how many players it can handle. This can make cross-platform play difficult. Expanding server capacity is challenging since the servers weren’t built to support multiple platforms in one shared environment.
Fair Play Across Different Platforms
Each platform provides a unique gameplay experience. For example, PCs offer more flexibility with graphics, performance, and modding. Consoles like the Xbox Series X may have more stable performance for more players, with smoother game loading and running. On PC, players can use a keyboard, mouse, or gamepad, and also install addons. Consoles, however, do not support addons, which could affect gameplay balance.
Future Crossplay Possibilities
Elder Scrolls Online Crossplay is still unclear. Zenimax Online Studios has not announced any plans to add this feature, leaving the community to wonder about its impact. Challenges could include creating a smooth login process with a cross-platform ID. On the other hand, the benefits might include bringing players together from different platforms and locations.
However, A major expansion coming to ESO is Gold Road, part of the Shadow Over Morrowind storyline, released in June 2024. This indicates that the company is prioritizing content expansion and server improvements rather than adding features like cross-platform play.
Does Elder Scrolls Online have Cross Progression support?
Cross-generation play in ESO has both pros and cons. This feature allows players to enjoy the game across different console generations. For example, whether you’re on PlayStation 4 or the newer PlayStation 5, you can join the same quests, battle the same monsters, and celebrate the same victories.
However, there is limited cross-progression between specific platforms. For example, players using Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, or PS4 and PS5, can carry their progress across these systems.
Additionally, cross-progression exists between PC and Stadia. Beyond that, character progression does not transfer across major platforms like PC, PlayStation, and Xbox due to technical limitations and server differences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Elder Scrolls Online does not support cross-platform play as of 2025, restricting players to interact only with others on the same platform.
While limited cross-progression exists between certain console generations like PS4 to PS5 and Xbox One to Series X/S, full crossplay remains unimplemented due to technical challenges and server limitations.
Is ESO Crossplay? Quick FAQs
1. Can I play Elder scrolls online on PS4 if I have it on Xbox?
No, you cannot play Elder Scrolls Online on PS4 if you own it on Xbox. The game does not support cross-platform play or cross-buy between different consoles.
2. Will ESO ever be crossplay in 2025?
As of 2025, The Elder Scrolls Online does not support cross-platform play and there is no official news regarding the same till now. The game is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
3. Does ESO have cross-generation support?
Yes, Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) supports cross-generation play. This means that players on older consoles like PS4 and Xbox One can play with those on newer consoles, such as PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.