Is Siege Crossplay Between Xbox And Pc – Rainbow Six Siege Crossplay Guide

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If you’re asking is siege crossplay between xbox and pc, the short answer is no. Rainbow Six Siege does support crossplay, but the feature is currently limited to consoles within the same family, not between Xbox and PC. This is a crucial detail for players looking to team up with friends on different platforms.

Understanding the crossplay and cross-progression landscape in Siege can be confusing. This guide will explain the current state, the reasons behind the limitations, and what the future might hold for Xbox and PC players wanting to play together.

Is Siege Crossplay Between Xbox And Pc

As of now, there is no direct crossplay between Xbox and PC versions of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege. The crossplay functionality that exists is segregated by platform type. This means Xbox players can only play with other Xbox players, and PC players are confined to their own ecosystem.

The primary crossplay pools are as follows:

  • Console-Only Crossplay: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 players can all play together in the same matches.
  • PC-Only Crossplay: PC players on Steam, Ubisoft Connect, and the Epic Games Store can all play together.
  • Stadia (Legacy): Before the service shut down, Stadia players were part of the PC crossplay pool.

This separation is a deliberate design choice by Ubisoft, not a technical oversight. The reasons are rooted in competitive balance and the fundamental differences between control schemes.

Why Xbox And PC Crossplay Is Not Available

The decision to keep Xbox and PC players in separate matchmaking queues is primarily about fairness. The gap between playing with a controller and playing with a mouse and keyboard is significant in a tactical shooter like Siege.

Here are the core reasons for the separation:

  • Input Disparity: A mouse allows for much faster and more precise aiming than an analog stick. This gives PC players a potential advantage in gunfights.
  • Field of View (FOV) and Performance: PC players often have access to wider FOV settings and higher frame rates, which can provide a tangible gameplay benefit.
  • Competitive Integrity: Siege has a strong ranked and esports scene. Mixing input methods in standard matchmaking could compromise the competitive balance the game is known for.
  • Player Preference: Many console players actively prefer not to play against PC players to avoid these inherent advantages.

Current Crossplay And Cross-Progression Setup

While crossplay between Xbox and PC isn’t a thing, Ubisoft has implemented robust systems for players within each ecosystem. It’s important to distinguish between crossplay and cross-progression.

Crossplay (Playing Together):

  • Consoles: Fully enabled across Xbox and PlayStation generations.
  • PC Stores: Fully enabled between Ubisoft Connect, Steam, and Epic Games Store.

Cross-Progression (Sharing Progress):

This is where things get more universal. Ubisoft’s cross-progression system, tied to your Ubisoft Connect account, works across all platforms. This means you can share your progression, operators, skins, and in-game currency between Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.

For example, you could play on your Xbox, unlock a new operator, and then log in on your PC and have that operator available there. This is a major benefit for players who own the game on multiple platforms.

How To Enable Crossplay On Your Platform

Crossplay is usually enabled by default, but it’s good to know how to check or modify your settings. Here’s a quick platform-by-platform guide.

On Xbox And PlayStation Consoles

  1. Launch Rainbow Six Siege.
  2. Navigate to the Options menu from the main screen.
  3. Go to the General tab.
  4. Scroll down to find the Crossplay Matchmaking setting.
  5. Ensure it is set to On. With this on, you will match with players on all other consoles.

On PC (Ubisoft Connect, Steam, Epic)

On PC, crossplay between the different storefronts is automatic and cannot be disabled. There is no in-game setting to turn it off, as all PC players are considered part of the same player pool. Your Ubisoft Connect account seamlessly links your progress.

Potential Future Of Xbox And PC Crossplay

The question of is siege crossplay between xbox and pc ever coming is a hot topic. While Ubisoft has not announced any plans, the gaming industry is moving toward more open crossplay.

Several factors could influence a future decision:

  • Input-Based Matchmaking: Other games, like Call of Duty and Fortnite, successfully use input-based matchmaking. Players using a controller on PC play with console players, and mouse/keyboard players play together. Ubisoft could adopt this model.
  • Opt-In Features: They could make crossplay between Xbox and PC a voluntary, opt-in feature for custom games or a specific playlist, keeping the core ranked modes separate.
  • Community Demand: Continued player feedback is a significant driver for developers. If the demand grows loud enough, Ubisoft may re-evaluate their stance.
  • Technical Hurdles: Implementing a new, selective crossplay system requires development resources and rigorous testing to ensure stability.

For now, you should not expect this feature to arrive in the immediate future, but it remains a possibility down the line.

How To Play With Friends On Xbox If You Are On PC

Since direct crossplay isn’t available, you need alternative strategies to enjoy Siege with friends on different platforms. Here are your practical options.

Option 1: Use Custom Games (Limited)

Unfortunately, even Custom Games in Rainbow Six Siege do not support cross-platform play between console and PC. This option is only for players within the same ecosystem (all consoles or all PC).

Option 2: Consider Other Games

If playing with your specific friends is the main goal, you might consider other tactical shooters that support full crossplay. Games like Call of Duty: Warzone, Fortnite, or Apex Legends allow for Xbox and PC squads.

Option 3: Utilize Cross-Progression

If you own the game on both platforms, you can use cross-progression to maintain your account. You could, for instance, create a second account on your friend’s platform. However, this means purchasing the game again and starting your operator collection from scratch on that specific platform, which isn’t ideal for everyone.

Common Misconceptions About Siege Crossplay

Let’s clear up some frequent points of confusion that circulate in the community.

  • Misconception: “Cross-progression means I can play with anyone.” Reality: Cross-progression only shares your inventory and progress. It does not enable playing in the same matches across Xbox and PC.
  • Misconception: “I saw a PC player in my Xbox lobby.” Reality: This is extremely unlikely. You may have encountered a player using a mouse and keyboard adapter on console, which is a separate issue from official crossplay.
  • Misconception: “Next-gen consoles have crossplay with PC.” Reality: The Xbox Series X|S and PS5 are part of the console crossplay pool. They do not match with PC players in standard Siege matchmaking.

Official Resources And Support

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to Ubisoft’s official channels. Policies can change, and announcements are made there first.

  • Ubisoft Support Website: Search for Rainbow Six Siege crossplay articles.
  • Rainbow Six Siege Twitter/X: Follow @Rainbow6Game for news and updates.
  • Official Patch Notes: Read the detailed notes released with each game update for any feature changes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can Xbox And PC Play Rainbow Six Siege Together?

No, Xbox and PC players cannot currently play Rainbow Six Siege together in any matchmade or custom game mode. Crossplay is restricted to within console families and within the PC ecosystem.

Is Cross-Platform Available For Siege?

Yes, but in a limited form. Cross-platform play is available between all consoles (Xbox and PlayStation) and between all PC storefronts (Ubisoft Connect, Steam, Epic). There is no cross-platform play between the console and PC pools.

Does Siege Have Cross-Progression?

Yes. Rainbow Six Siege features full cross-progression across all platforms via your Ubisoft Connect account. All your operators, weapon skins, cosmetic items, Renown, and R6 Credits are shared between your Xbox, PlayStation, and PC versions of the game.

Why Is There No PC And Console Crossplay In Siege?

The main reason is to preserve competitive balance. The developers believe the advantages of mouse and keyboard input, along with typical PC hardware benefits, would create an unfair environment for console players using controllers in a tactical shooter.

Will Siege Ever Add PC And Xbox Crossplay?

Ubisoft has not announced any plans to do so. While it is a frequent community request, any implementation would likely require an input-based matchmaking system to ensure fairness, which is a significant technical undertaking. It remains a possibility for the future but is not currently on the roadmap.

In summary, the answer to is siege crossplay between xbox and pc remains a definitive no. The games architecture prioritizes balanced competition within separate input-method pools. While cross-progression allows you to take your hard-earned items everywhere, playing in the same match with friends across the console-PC divide is not possible. Your best options are to play within your platform’s ecosystem, explore other fully crossplay games with your friends, or keep an eye on Ubisoft’s official announcements for any future policy changes. The community’s voice is heard, so continue providing feedback through official channels if this is a feature you truly want to see.