Is A Way Out Crossplay in 2024? Why Does it Matter?

A Way Out is a unique cooperative game that requires two players to work together through an intense, narrative-driven experience. Released in 2018 by Hazelight Studios and published by Electronic Arts, the game was well-received for its innovative split-screen gameplay and compelling story. But as gaming evolves, players increasingly expect crossplay functionality—the ability to play with friends across different platforms.

This demand raises an important question: does A Way Out support crossplay in 2024? Understanding whether you can play with friends on different platforms like PC, PlayStation, or Xbox is crucial for modern gamers.

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about A Way Out and its crossplay capabilities, addressing common concerns and providing insights into the game’s current state. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned player, this guide will help clarify your options.

Is A Way Out Crossplay in 2024?

As of 2024, A Way Out does not support crossplay, which means players on different platforms cannot play together. Whether you’re on a PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, you are restricted to playing with others who own the game on the same platform. This limitation can be disappointing for those who wish to experience the game with friends who might be on a different system.

For example, if you have the game on PC and your friend has it on PlayStation 4, you won’t be able to play together. The game supports both online co-op and local split-screen play, but only within the same platform. This restriction applies across all platforms where the game is available, including PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Why Doesn’t A Way Out Support Crossplay?

The lack of crossplay in A Way Out isn’t just a random decision; it stems from several technical and logistical challenges. First, A Way Out is a unique cooperative game that relies heavily on synchronized, split-screen gameplay. This design choice means both players must work closely together to solve puzzles and progress through the story. Implementing crossplay between different platforms would introduce complexities such as input lag, latency issues, and varying frame rates, which could disrupt the seamless experience the game aims to provide.

From a technical standpoint, creating a crossplay environment would require significant effort to ensure that the game runs smoothly across different systems. Each platform—be it PC, Xbox, or PlayStation—has its own hardware and software specifications, leading to potential compatibility issues. The game’s developers, Hazelight Studios, likely chose to focus on optimizing performance within each platform rather than stretching resources to create a crossplay system that could potentially compromise the game’s quality.

Could A Way Out Get Crossplay in the Future?

The possibility of A Way Out getting crossplay in the future remains uncertain. As of now, the developers have not announced any plans to introduce cross-platform capabilities. This has left many fans speculating about whether crossplay could be added in future updates, especially given the game’s success and the increasing demand for such features in multiplayer games.

From a technological standpoint, introducing crossplay is a complex process. It requires substantial adjustments to the game’s existing infrastructure to ensure smooth, synchronized gameplay across different platforms. The split-screen co-op nature of A Way Out adds another layer of complexity, as synchronizing gameplay between different systems could introduce issues such as lag, frame rate drops, or latency discrepancies. These challenges make it less likely for crossplay to be introduced without a significant overhaul of the game’s code and networking systems.

Alternatives for Multiplayer Gaming Without Crossplay

If you’re looking to enjoy cooperative gaming with friends across different platforms, there are several alternatives to A Way Out that support crossplay. These games offer similar cooperative experiences while allowing you to connect with friends, regardless of the platform they’re using.

1. Fortnite: A global sensation, Fortnite offers cross-platform play across consoles, PC, and even mobile devices. Although it’s primarily a battle royale game, its cooperative modes and creative features provide plenty of opportunities for teamwork and fun with friends on different platforms.
2. Minecraft: Known for its limitless creativity, Minecraft supports crossplay across multiple platforms, including consoles, PC, and mobile. Whether you’re building massive structures, exploring caves, or battling mobs, you can do it all with friends regardless of what system they’re playing on.
3. Rocket League: Rocket League is a fast-paced, soccer-inspired game where players control rocket-powered cars. It offers full crossplay support, enabling players from different platforms to compete or cooperate in thrilling matches.
4. Call of Duty: Warzone: Warzone is a free-to-play battle royale game that supports crossplay across consoles and PC. It provides a highly competitive environment where players can team up and battle it out on a massive scale.
5. Overcooked! All You Can Eat: For those who enjoy cooperative chaos, Overcooked! offers a fun and frantic cooking simulation experience. The game supports crossplay between various platforms, allowing you to work together (or hilariously fail together) in the kitchen with friends, no matter their console or PC.

How to Set Up Multiplayer in A Way Out

Even though A Way Out doesn’t support crossplay, you can still enjoy the game’s unique cooperative experience with a friend on the same platform. Setting up multiplayer is straightforward, whether you’re playing locally on the same console or online.

Local Split-Screen Co-op

If you and your friend are in the same location, you can play A Way Out on the same console or PC using the split-screen mode. This setup is simple:

1. Start the Game: Launch A Way Out on your console or PC.
2. Select Multiplayer: On the main menu, choose the “Play Local” option. This will prompt the game to enter split-screen mode.
3. Connect Controllers: Ensure that two controllers are connected to the console or that both players have input devices if on PC.
4. Choose Characters: Each player can choose one of the two main characters, Leo or Vincent.
5. Start Playing: Once everything is set, you can begin the game. The screen will split vertically, allowing both players to experience the game simultaneously.

Online Co-op on the Same Platform

For friends who are not in the same physical location but own the game on the same platform, online co-op is a great option. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Invite a Friend: Start the game and select the “Play Online” option from the main menu. You’ll need to invite your friend to join your game. This can be done through the game’s interface or through your platform’s friend system (e.g., PlayStation Network, Xbox Live).
2. Game Share: A Way Out offers a unique feature called the “Friend Pass,” which allows a friend who doesn’t own the game to join your session. They’ll need to download a free trial version of the game and accept your invitation.
3. Choose Characters: Once your friend joins, each of you will choose a character, either Leo or Vincent.
4. Start the Game: After selecting characters, you’re ready to embark on the journey together. Communication is key in this mode, as both players will need to coordinate their actions to progress.

FAQs

1. Is A Way Out cross-platform between PC and console?

Ans: No, A Way Out is not cross-platform between PC and console. This means that if you own the game on a PC, you cannot play with someone who owns it on a PlayStation or Xbox.

The game restricts multiplayer gameplay to the same platform, so both players must have the game on the same system to play together.

2. Can I play A Way Out with friends on different consoles?

Ans: You cannot play A Way Out with friends on different consoles. The game does not support cross-platform play between different consoles, such as between PlayStation and Xbox.

However, cross-generational play is possible, meaning you can play together if one player is on a PS4 and the other on a PS5, or between Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

3. Will crossplay be introduced in A Way Out?

Ans: As of now, there are no official announcements or plans to introduce crossplay in A Way Out. The developers have not indicated that this feature will be added in future updates, so it remains unlikely.

The game was designed with a focus on local and online co-op within the same platform, and adding crossplay would require significant changes to the game’s infrastructure.

4. How does split-screen work in A Way Out?

Ans: Split-screen in A Way Out works by dividing the screen vertically, allowing both players to see their characters and environments simultaneously. This feature is available both in local co-op, where two players use the same console or PC, and in online co-op, where the screen splits even though players are in different locations.

The split-screen setup is central to the game’s design, emphasizing cooperation and communication between players.

5. Why is crossplay difficult to implement in A Way Out?

Ans: Crossplay is difficult to implement in A Way Out primarily due to the game’s reliance on synchronized, split-screen gameplay. Implementing crossplay would require significant adjustments to ensure smooth, lag-free performance across different platforms.

Each platform has unique hardware and software configurations, which complicates the synchronization of gameplay elements.

Wrapping Up

In summary, A Way Out offers an exceptional cooperative experience that many players have enjoyed since its release in 2018. However, the game does not support crossplay, which means that players are limited to teaming up with friends who are on the same platform. While this can be a drawback for those with friends on different systems, the game’s unique split-screen co-op and immersive storyline make it a worthwhile experience within its current limitations.

The decision to forgo crossplay likely stems from technical challenges and a focus on delivering a seamless, high-quality experience within each platform. Although crossplay has become a sought-after feature in the gaming industry, the complexity of implementing it in a game like A Way Out—which relies heavily on synchronized split-screen gameplay—makes it unlikely to be added in the future.