In Overwatch, cross-play is now available. This is a long-awaited feature for some gamers, and it will undoubtedly give the game a fresh lease on life while the wait for Overwatch 2 continues. But, of course, there are several variables to consider while developing cross-platform games, particularly shooters.
For starters, it is well known that PC gamers have a greater range of motion and more adjustable settings than console gamers, including the option to play games at faster frame rates. On the other hand, many console first-person shooters include some form of aim-assist to compensate for the analog sticks. When a player’s crosshairs pass over an opposing player, this aim-assist typically slows them down.
Hacking is one of the most common difficulties that emerge when cross-play is involved. Many console gamers do not want to play with PC players since it is much easier to install cheats such as wallhacks and aimbots while playing on PC.
Xbox fans must jump through numerous hoops in Call of Duty: Warzone in order to block players who do not have Xbox Live, a procedure that results in substantially longer wait times between matches. This is partly due to the huge number of participants in each battle royale match in Call of Duty.
Some of these difficulties are addressed on the Overwatch website, such as how to set up the cross-play beta. Fortunately, the procedure is straightforward: console gamers must first establish a Battle.net account online, then follow the on-screen directions the next time they start the game.
PC gamers do not need to do anything because they must already have a Battle.net account to play the game. Because of this ease, several Overwatch gamers have been questioning why this functionality has not been included sooner.
It’s also worth noting that cross-play will now be enabled by default for all users. It may, however, be turned off in the in-game interface at the cost of lengthening match wait times. In order to “equalize play during the match,” console players should be informed that if they match with a PC player, console aim-assist will be deactivated by default.
Cross-Play has arrived.
You can now group up with friends across the globe on PC, @xbox, @playstation and @nintendo.
Link your console to your https://t.co/Vqndyf7pSK account and play with your friends! pic.twitter.com/FpOyCXT9sY
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) June 22, 2021
This is perhaps one of the most significant things to note because so many of these games are based on muscle memory; as a consequence, some players may find their crosshairs no longer behave the way they used to.
Cross-play in Overwatch is currently in testing; thus, it isn’t accessible in rated matches just yet. This will most certainly continue for some time, given each platform has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Despite this, because of the larger pool from which each game may now draw, wait times between matches will likely be considerably quicker, and Overwatch gamers may notice a dramatic difference in the way some opponent characters move and shoot.
Finally, this is an exciting new chapter for Overwatch, allowing even more players to play the game with their friends on the other side of the world.
