Sea Of Thieves Crossplay Settings – How to Enable or Disable
Sea of Thieves is a fantastic pirate adventure that truly shines when played with friends. But what if your friends are on different platforms? That's where crossplay comes in! This feature allows Xbox and PC players to sail the seas together, sharing treasure, battling krakens, and generally causing mayhem. However, sometimes you might prefer to stick to your own platform. This guide will walk you through how to manage your Sea of Thieves crossplay settings, so you can choose the experience that's right for you.
Whether you're looking to team up with a wider range of pirates or prefer the familiarity of your own platform's community, understanding your crossplay options is key to enjoying Sea of Thieves to its fullest. We'll cover everything you need to know, from accessing the settings menu to understanding the implications of your choice.
So, hoist the sails and let's dive into the world of Sea of Thieves crossplay!
Why Manage Your Crossplay Settings?
Before we get into the "how," let's quickly touch on the "why." There are a few reasons why you might want to adjust your Sea of Thieves crossplay settings:
- Expanding Your Crew: Enabling crossplay opens up a much larger pool of potential crewmates. You can play with friends regardless of whether they're on Xbox or PC.
- Balancing the Playing Field: Some players believe that PC players have an advantage due to mouse and keyboard controls. Disabling crossplay can create a more level playing field, especially in PvP encounters.
- Performance Considerations: In some cases, playing with crossplay enabled can lead to performance issues, especially on older hardware. Disabling it might improve your game's stability.
- Community Preference: Some players simply prefer to play with others on the same platform, fostering a stronger sense of community.
Ultimately, the decision to enable or disable crossplay is a personal one. Consider your playstyle, your hardware, and your preferences when making your choice.
How to Change Your Sea of Thieves Crossplay Settings
The process for changing your crossplay settings in Sea of Thieves is straightforward. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Launch Sea of Thieves: Fire up the game on your Xbox or PC.
- Navigate to Settings: From the main menu (before you load into a game session), select "Settings."
- Go to "Matchmaking Preferences": Within the Settings menu, look for a tab or section labeled "Matchmaking Preferences." This is where you'll find the crossplay option. In some older versions, this might be under "Gameplay".
- Find the "Cross Play" or "Matched Players Use Controller" Setting: The exact wording may vary slightly depending on the game version, but you're looking for a setting that controls whether you play with players on other platforms. On Xbox, this is often phrased as "Matched Players Use Controller".
- Enable or Disable Crossplay:
- To Enable Crossplay: Set the "Cross Play" setting to "Enabled" or "Any." On Xbox, setting "Matched Players Use Controller" to "Any" will enable crossplay with PC players.
- To Disable Crossplay: Set the "Cross Play" setting to "Disabled" or "Xbox Only" (if available). On Xbox, setting "Matched Players Use Controller" to "Controller Only" will restrict matchmaking to Xbox players using controllers.
- Confirm Your Changes: Once you've made your selection, confirm your changes. The game may prompt you to restart to apply the new settings.
That's it! You've successfully changed your Sea of Thieves crossplay settings.
Understanding the "Matched Players Use Controller" Setting on Xbox
The "Matched Players Use Controller" setting on Xbox is a bit unique and requires some clarification. Here's a breakdown:
- "Any": This setting enables crossplay with PC players, regardless of whether they're using a controller or a mouse and keyboard. You'll be matched with players from both Xbox and PC.
- "Controller Only": This setting restricts matchmaking to Xbox players who are using controllers. You won't be matched with PC players.
It's important to note that even with "Controller Only" selected, you might still encounter PC players who are using controllers. The setting primarily aims to prevent you from playing against PC players using mouse and keyboard.
What Happens When You Disable Crossplay?
Disabling crossplay in Sea of Thieves has several implications:
- Smaller Player Pool: You'll only be matched with players on the same platform as you (e.g., Xbox only or PC only). This can lead to longer matchmaking times, especially during off-peak hours.
- Potentially More Balanced PvP: Many players believe that disabling crossplay creates a more balanced PvP environment, as you'll only be facing opponents using similar input methods.
- Limited Crew Options: You won't be able to play with friends who are on a different platform.
If you're primarily interested in playing with friends on different platforms, disabling crossplay is not recommended. However, if you prioritize a potentially more balanced PvP experience or are experiencing performance issues, disabling crossplay might be a good option.
Common Mistakes and Tips
Here are a few common mistakes to avoid and some helpful tips for managing your Sea of Thieves crossplay settings:
- Forgetting to Restart: After changing your crossplay settings, make sure to restart the game if prompted. This ensures that the changes are properly applied.
- Assuming "Controller Only" Guarantees No PC Players: As mentioned earlier, the "Controller Only" setting on Xbox doesn't completely eliminate the possibility of encountering PC players who are using controllers.
- Experimenting with Different Settings: Don't be afraid to experiment with different crossplay settings to find what works best for you. Try playing with crossplay enabled for a while, then disable it and see if you notice a difference.
- Checking Your Friends' Settings: If you're having trouble playing with friends, make sure that everyone has the correct crossplay settings enabled.
- Considering Your Hardware: If you're playing on older hardware, disabling crossplay might improve your game's performance.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Crossplay Experience
Managing your Sea of Thieves crossplay settings is a simple but important way to customize your pirate adventure. Whether you want to sail with friends on any platform or prefer the familiarity of your own community, understanding your options is key. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily enable or disable crossplay and create the Sea of Thieves experience that's right for you. So, set your sails, adjust your settings, and get ready to plunder the seas! Remember to experiment and find what works best for you and your crew. Happy sailing!