The console version of Crusader Kings 3 is now available, giving a new group of players the opportunity to experience developer Paradox's grand strategy game for the first time. As these players start to dig into this critically-acclaimed title, they may become interested in trying out its multiplayer features. This interest may lead to questions about Crusader Kings 3's cross-play functionality, and this guide is here to shine some light on the matter.
Is Crusader Kings 3 Cross-Play?
At the time of writing, Crusader Kings 3 does not support cross-play beyond playing across launchers on PC, though it is possible that things could change in the future. Indeed, a prelaunch FAQ, which was initially posted to Reddit in January 2022, indicates that "the developer is looking at implementing [cross-play] if the community deems it necessary." While this statement does not provide a great deal of clarity about when or how cross-play features could be added to the game, it may still give hope to fans that would like to play with their friends across platforms.
However, there are reasons to believe that cross-play, at least between all platforms, is not something that will come any time soon. One of those reasons is that it is expected that the console version of Crusader Kings 3 will typically be updated after the PC version. This discrepancy would make it difficult for PC and console players to participate in multiplayer together, though it does not rule out the possibility of cross-play between PS5 and Xbox Series X, provided that they receive major updates simultaneously.
That said, previous Paradox-developed games with console releases, such as Stellaris, have no cross-play whatsoever. This fact certainly does not guarantee that cross-platform play will never come to Crusader Kings 3, though players may want to use it to temper their expectations. Fans may also want to consider this information when choosing which version of the game they will buy, as that decision will dictate who they can play with for the foreseeable future.
To note, there are a number of other features that the aforementioned FAQ suggests could be added to the console version of the game down the line. Those features include cross-saving, mod support, ruler creation, and the ability to use console commands in Crusader Kings 3. Again, the timeline from the implementation of these features has not yet been confirmed, and players that are interested in them should be the lookout for future updates from the developer.
Crusader Kings 3 is available now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.