Is Sea Of Thieves Cross Platform? Here’s The Answer

Sea of Thieves, the swashbuckling pirate adventure from Rare, has captivated players with its open world, cooperative gameplay, and endless opportunities for emergent storytelling. But one question often surfaces among aspiring pirates: Is Sea of Thieves cross platform?

The answer is a resounding yes! Sea of Thieves supports cross-platform play, also known as crossplay, between Xbox and PC. This means you can set sail with your friends regardless of whether they're playing on an Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, or a Windows PC. This feature significantly broadens the player base and ensures that finding a crew to plunder the seas with is easier than ever.

Let's dive into the details of how Sea of Thieves crossplay works, its benefits, and a few things you should know.

Crossplay: What It Means for Sea of Thieves

Crossplay, in its simplest form, allows players on different gaming platforms to play together in the same online game. In the context of Sea of Thieves, this means that Xbox players and PC players can team up, battle each other, and share the same virtual world seamlessly.

This functionality is a core design element of Sea of Thieves and has been since its launch. Rare understood that limiting the player base to a single platform would hinder the game's potential for social interaction and cooperative adventures.

Benefits of Sea of Thieves Crossplay

The implementation of crossplay in Sea of Thieves offers several key advantages:

  • Larger Player Base: The most obvious benefit is the expanded pool of potential crewmates and adversaries. With both Xbox and PC players able to connect, finding a game or a crew is significantly easier and faster.
  • Play with Friends on Different Platforms: This is perhaps the most compelling reason for crossplay. Friends who own different gaming platforms can finally embark on pirate adventures together, bridging the gap created by hardware limitations. No more feeling left out because you own an Xbox and your friend has a PC.
  • Increased Longevity: Crossplay helps maintain a healthy player base over time. As individual platforms age or new games release, the ability to play with a wider audience ensures that Sea of Thieves remains a vibrant and engaging experience for years to come.
  • More Dynamic Gameplay: A larger and more diverse player base leads to more unpredictable and exciting encounters on the seas. You never know who you'll run into – a seasoned PC player or a newcomer on Xbox – adding an element of surprise to every voyage.

How to Enable or Disable Crossplay in Sea of Thieves

While crossplay is enabled by default in Sea of Thieves, you have the option to disable it if you prefer to play only with others on your platform. Here's how to manage your crossplay settings:

On Xbox:

  1. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
  2. Go to "Settings."
  3. Select "Account."
  4. Choose "Privacy & online safety."
  5. Select "Xbox Live privacy."
  6. Go to "View details & customize."
  7. Choose "Communication & multiplayer."
  8. Find the option "You can join cross-network play" and set it to "Allow" (to enable crossplay) or "Block" (to disable crossplay).

Important Note for Xbox Players: Disabling crossplay on Xbox will limit you to playing only with other Xbox players who also have crossplay disabled. This can significantly reduce the number of available players and increase matchmaking times.

On PC:

  • There is no option to disable crossplay on PC. PC players will always be matched with both PC and Xbox players. This is likely due to the PC player base being smaller than the Xbox player base.

Addressing Concerns About Crossplay: Input Methods

One common concern about crossplay involves the potential advantage that PC players might have due to their use of mouse and keyboard, which are often considered more precise than controllers. Rare has addressed this issue in a few ways:

  • Skill-Based Matchmaking: While not explicitly confirmed, it's believed that Sea of Thieves utilizes some form of skill-based matchmaking, which attempts to pair players of similar skill levels together. This helps to mitigate any perceived advantage from input methods.
  • Controller Support on PC: PC players also have the option to use controllers if they prefer, leveling the playing field.
  • Game Design: Sea of Thieves emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and communication over individual mechanical skill. While aiming is important, other factors like navigation, resource management, and ship handling are equally crucial for success.

In practice, the perceived advantage of mouse and keyboard isn't as significant as some might fear. Many skilled controller players can hold their own against PC players, and the overall experience is generally balanced and enjoyable for everyone.

Common Crossplay Issues and Troubleshooting

While Sea of Thieves crossplay generally works seamlessly, you might occasionally encounter issues. Here are a few common problems and potential solutions:

  • Unable to Join Friends: Ensure that both you and your friends have crossplay enabled (if on Xbox) and that you are all friends on Xbox Live. You may also need to ensure that your Xbox Live privacy settings allow you to communicate with players on other platforms.
  • Connection Problems: Network issues can sometimes prevent you from connecting to the game or joining a crew. Check your internet connection, restart your router, and ensure that Sea of Thieves is not being blocked by your firewall.
  • Game Crashes: Game crashes can sometimes occur due to software or hardware issues. Ensure that your graphics drivers are up to date (especially on PC) and try restarting your device.
  • Xbox Live Service Issues: Occasionally, Xbox Live services may experience outages, which can affect your ability to connect to Sea of Thieves. Check the Xbox Live status page for any known issues.

If you encounter persistent problems, consult the Sea of Thieves support website or forums for further assistance.

Sea of Thieves: A Crossplay Success Story

Sea of Thieves stands as a prime example of how crossplay can enhance a game's community, longevity, and overall appeal. By breaking down platform barriers, Rare has created a truly inclusive and social pirate experience that can be enjoyed by players on Xbox and PC alike. So, gather your friends, hoist the sails, and prepare for an unforgettable adventure on the high seas, regardless of your chosen platform. The treasure awaits!