Since its release, Guilty Gear Strive has made waves in the fighting game community with its unique mechanics, stunning visuals, and iconic cast of characters. Among modern fighting games, one feature that players increasingly look for is crossplay—the ability to play with others regardless of platform. For fans and potential newcomers alike, a big question remains: Is Guilty Gear Strive crossplay? This article provides a comprehensive look at that very question, breaking down the current state of cross-platform functionality in Strive and what it means for players around the world.
TL;DR
Guilty Gear Strive does support full crossplay as of a major update in December 2022. Players on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC (via Steam and Windows Store) can compete against each other seamlessly. However, features like cross-progression do not yet exist, and network quality can vary slightly depending on the platform combination. Overall, crossplay has solidified Strive‘s position as a top-tier fighting game with a unified player base.
What is Crossplay in Gaming?
Before diving into the specifics of Strive, it’s important to clarify what crossplay actually means. In the context of video games, crossplay (or cross-platform play) allows players using different gaming platforms—such as PlayStation consoles and PC—to play together in online multiplayer modes. This eliminates the restrictions that traditionally kept friends and competitive rivals apart purely due to hardware choices.
Crossplay shouldn’t be confused with cross-progression, which is the ability to carry over your in-game data, progress, and purchases from one platform to another. At the moment, these are separate features, and not all games support both.
A Timeline of Crossplay in Guilty Gear Strive
When Guilty Gear Strive launched in June 2021, it was only available for PS4, PS5, and Steam. While cross-generation play (e.g., PS4 vs PS5) was supported, true cross-platform functionality was not. This meant that PC and PlayStation players could not interact online—something that limited the reachable pool of competitors.
The demand for crossplay was immediate, particularly from competitive and community-driven players who wanted a unified online experience. In response, Arc System Works implemented a beta test in late 2022 to gauge the feasibility of crossplay between PC and PlayStation users.
The result? A successful beta and a commitment from the developers to roll out full crossplay support.
When Did Crossplay Go Live?
Guilty Gear Strive officially received full crossplay functionality in December 2022. With this update, matchmaking across
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 5
- Steam (PC)
- Windows Store (PC)
was enabled, allowing players from all supported platforms to challenge each other.
This update dramatically increased the size and vibrancy of the online community. Whether you’re using a DualSense controller on PS5 or a hitbox on your custom PC rig, everyone is now competing in the same ecosystem.
How to Enable Crossplay in Guilty Gear Strive
Enabling crossplay is straightforward and can be done from within the game’s menus. Here’s how you can ensure crossplay is active:
- Go to the Main Menu.
- Select Settings.
- Navigate to Network Settings.
- Toggle the Crossplay option to ON.
Once enabled, you’ll be matched against players from all platforms in ranked, casual, and player matches.
Does Crossplay Affect Performance or Match Quality?
One concern that players often raise regarding crossplay is whether it introduces lag or performance inconsistencies. Strive makes use of rollback netcode, a sophisticated networking technique that helps minimize input delay across long distances and varied connections.
The implementation of rollback netcode alongside crossplay has ensured that matches remain smooth and competitive, regardless of platform. That said, performance can still be affected by:
- Individual player connection quality
- Region-based latency
- Whether the game is played via Wi-Fi or wired ethernet
Overall, the transition to crossplay has not introduced significant degradation in game performance, illustrating the robustness of Arc System Works’ online infrastructure.
What Platforms Does Guilty Gear Strive Support?
As of 2024, Guilty Gear Strive is available on the following platforms:
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 5
- Steam (Windows)
- Windows Store / PC Game Pass
- Xbox Series X|S
An important note: Although the game was released on Xbox in 2023, Xbox users do not currently have crossplay with PlayStation or certain PC platforms. The full scope of crossplay functionality is currently limited mainly to PlayStation and PC (Steam/Windows).
Is There Cross-Progression?
While Guilty Gear Strive supports crossplay, it does not currently support cross-progression. This means that your unlocks, rankings, and DLC purchases are all tied to the platform where you initially played.
This lack of cross-progression means:
- If you purchased character DLC on PS5, you won’t have access to them if you play on Steam.
- Rankings and digital items do not carry over between platforms.
For players deeply invested in multiple platforms, this can be a drawback. Still, the availability of crossplay helps maintain engagement by allowing you to compete with friends and rivals using a variety of hardware.
Why Crossplay Matters in Competitive Fighting Games
Crossplay dramatically enhances the ecosystem of an online game. For competitive titles like Guilty Gear Strive, with an active tournament and ranked play scene, crossplay introduces several key advantages:
- Expanded Player Pool: More players means faster matchmaking and more diverse opponents.
- Better Tournament Organization: Community organizers can host inclusive events with participants on any platform.
- Longevity: By unifying platforms, the game avoids population fragmentation, keeping servers active over time.
In essence, crossplay has future-proofed Strive for continued relevance.
How Has the Community Reacted?
The response to crossplay has been overwhelmingly positive. Players have praised Arc System Works for listening to feedback and taking technical challenges seriously. It has also brought new players into the fold, especially those who were previously limited by platform choice.
Forums, Discord servers, and Reddit communities active in the Guilty Gear space have reported better matchmaking times, fewer “dead hours,” and more opponent variety post-update.
Conclusion
Guilty Gear Strive has joined the ranks of modern fighting games that offer full cross-platform gameplay, a feature that has had a meaningful, positive impact on its online community. While cross-progression is still sadly missing, the inclusion of crossplay between PC and PlayStation has allowed the game to thrive competitively and socially. With one of the most stable rollback netcodes on the market and a continually growing player base, Strive’s crossplay feature makes it more accessible and competitive than ever.
For those considering jumping into the world of Guilty Gear, rest assured—no matter your platform, you won’t be fighting alone.