Does ARC Raiders Have Crossplay? Complete Guide 2026

You've seen ARC Raiders in videos, your group wants to get into it, but not everyone is on the same platform. Before everyone spends €40, you want to know whether crossplay really works or whether it's limited (like some games that offer PS5/Xbox crossplay but exclude PC, or the other way around). Here is what ARC Raiders actually offers, how to set it up, and the limitations to know about.

Key takeaways

• Yes, ARC Raiders supports full crossplay between PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, GeForce NOW).
• Crossplay is enabled by default. All players share the same matchmaking pool.
• Friends are added through their Embark ID (format: PlayerName#1234), not through PSN or Xbox Live friend lists.
• Cross-progression works: your progress, inventory and cosmetics follow your Embark ID across all platforms.

Which platforms can play together

ARC Raiders launched on October 30, 2025 with crossplay active from day one. All supported platforms share the same matchmaking pool and can form squads together without restriction.

A squad can mix platforms with no restriction at all: one PC player, one PS5 player and one Xbox player in the same expedition works fine. The game is a PvPvE extraction shooter with squads of up to 3 players.

How to play with friends on other platforms

Cross-platform invitations go through the Embark ID system, not through PSN, Xbox Live or Steam friend lists. It's the same system Embark Studios uses in The Finals.

• Open the social menu from the main hub.
• Select "Add Friend".
• Enter your friend's Embark ID (format: PlayerName#1234, with the # and the 4 digits).
• Once the request is accepted, select their name in your list and click "Invite to Squad".

A common trap: trying to invite a friend through the PSN or Xbox Live friend list for a cross-platform game. It doesn't work if your friend is on a different platform. The invitation has to go through the in-game social menu using the Embark ID. If you're both on the same platform (two PS5 players, for example), invitations through the PSN system work too.

For a cross-platform invitation to work, both players must have crossplay enabled in their settings. If your friend on Xbox has turned crossplay off, you won't be able to invite them from your PS5, even with the Embark ID.

Matchmaking and input-based matching

ARC Raiders uses matchmaking based on the type of input device (input-based matchmaking):

• Controller players are matched with other controller players.
• Keyboard/mouse players are matched with other keyboard/mouse players.
• When a squad mixes the two input types, matchmaking places the group in a mixed lobby.

This system reduces the imbalance between mouse precision and controller aim assist. In PvPvE it matters: a keyboard/mouse player in close combat has a flick aim advantage, while a controller player benefits from an aim assist that compensates at medium range. Input-based matchmaking keeps console players from systematically facing PC players on keyboard and mouse.

You can turn off input-based matchmaking in the settings to always join mixed lobbies, regardless of your device.

Cross-progression: how it works

Your progress, inventory, blueprints and cosmetics are tied to your Embark ID, not to your platform. If you play on PC during the week and on PS5 on the weekend, everything follows automatically.

To enable cross-progression:

• Go to id.embark.games in your browser.
• Sign in with the account of the platform you played on first (this is your main Embark ID).
• In the "Connected Platforms" section, link your other accounts (PSN, Xbox Live, Steam, Epic).
• Launch ARC Raiders on any linked platform: your progress syncs automatically.

One thing to note: cross-buy doesn't exist (except through the Microsoft Store, which gives access to the Xbox and Windows PC versions with a single purchase). If you buy ARC Raiders on Steam, you have to buy it separately on PlayStation to play it there. Your progress will be synced, but the purchase is separate.

Turning off crossplay

If you'd rather play only with players on your own platform:

• In the main menu, click the gear icon at the bottom right to open the settings.
• Under the "Online" tab, find the Crossplay setting and switch it to Disabled.
• Back on the main menu, the "Crossplay: Disabled" label appears under the launch button.

The change takes effect at the next matchmaking session. Be warned: turning off crossplay significantly shrinks the pool of available players. Match search times can go from a few seconds to several minutes, or even become nearly endless during off-peak hours or in less populated regions.

Something many people discover too late: there is no console-only crossplay. It's all or nothing. If you're on Xbox and you enable crossplay to play with a PS5 friend, you'll also be matched with PC players. There is no platform filter. You can either enable crossplay (all platforms mixed) or disable it (your platform only). No middle ground.

On Xbox, you can also block crossplay at the console level: Settings > Account > Privacy & online safety > Xbox Privacy > View details and customize > Communication & multiplayer, then set "You can join cross-network play" to Block. This is a more drastic option that applies to all games, not just ARC Raiders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is crossplay mandatory?

No, you can turn it off in the settings. Keep in mind that the game is designed around a unified matchmaking pool. Turning it off lengthens search times significantly, and some modes or regions become hard to fill without crossplay.

Do I need an online subscription?

On console, yes. A PlayStation Plus subscription is required on PS5, and Xbox Game Pass Core (or Game Pass Ultimate) on Xbox for online multiplayer. On PC, no additional subscription is needed. Crossplay itself has no additional cost.

Does voice chat work in crossplay?

Yes. ARC Raiders includes a voice chat that works across all platforms without a third-party app. You don't need Discord or a PlayStation/Xbox party to talk with a cross-platform squad.

Can you play in split screen?

No. ARC Raiders doesn't offer split screen or local co-op. The game is online only.

Can you enable crossplay only between consoles?

No. There is no "console only" option. Crossplay always includes all platforms (PC, PS5, Xbox). If you want to avoid PC players, the only option is to turn crossplay off entirely, which limits you to players on your own platform.

Is my progress lost if I switch platforms?

No, as long as you've linked your accounts to your Embark ID on id.embark.games. Your level, inventory, blueprints and cosmetics sync automatically across all linked platforms. You do have to buy the game separately on each platform, though (no cross-buy except Microsoft Store Xbox/PC).

Is ARC Raiders available on PS4 or Xbox One?

No. ARC Raiders is exclusively next-gen: PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. There is no PS4 or Xbox One version, and none is planned.