The long-awaited cross-play addition to Apex Legends is finally available via the game's version 1.47 patch. Players on EA Play, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One can now party and play with each other, and Nintendo Switch and Steam will soon be joining the fray. But how exactly do you enable cross play in Apex Legends and how does the buddy system work now?
How to enable cross play in Apex Legends
If you're worried that cross play is buried under a pile of game settings, you'll be happy to know that cross play will be on by default. If you feel like turning off crossplay, you can access the settings from the main lobby with the press of a button, scroll down, and select Off in the Cross Platform Play (BETA) field. Keep in mind that this feature is still in beta, if the uppercase indication has not already alerted you.
How to add a cross-platform friend in Apex Legends
Apex Legends doesn't appear to use an account system or require the use of Origin, which should be a relief for many. Instead, you'll go to the in-game friends menu and click Add Friend. Just type in the username of the person you want to add, and their name should appear accordingly, next to an icon indicating their platform.
PC drives will appear with a computer and monitor icon. Xbox and PlayStation users will see a generic game controller icon for players on the opposite console; otherwise, they would see an Xbox or PlayStation logo next to the names of players on the same platform. You can send a friend request after they find their username, after which they can accept or reject your request, or even block you if they find you really boring.
Image via Respawn EntertainmentWhat platform are the players paired with?
With cross-play integration into Apex Legends, console players will all be in the same matchmaking pool. Now that PlayStation 4 and Xbox One players are in the same space, the player base is essentially twice as large now. Unsurprisingly, console gamers will not be mapped to PC players due to controller users having a disadvantage compared to those with PC mouse and keyboard.
However, nothing will stop PC and console gamers from partying with each other via an invite to play. If you are a console gamer who chooses to go this route, know that you will be put into PC matches.
Is cross progression in Apex Legends?
With so many characters and cosmetics to buy or earn in Apex Legends, you might be hoping to carry these rewards and purchases across all platforms. The version 1.47 patch doesn't add cross-progression, but developer Respawn Entertainment hasn't fully counted the feature. Despite shutting down the idea previously, Respawn states in their blog post detailing the crossplay that they "will be talking more about it when we launch Steam later in the year."
