Fall Guys Now Fully Supports Cross-Play Between Epic Games Store and Steam

As a long-time PC gamer and Fall Guys enthusiast, I was thrilled when developer Mediatonic enabled full cross-play between the Epic Games Store and Steam versions after going free-to-play. This was a hugely important move to unite the PC player base that has paid dividends in building a thriving community.

Based on my extensive experience with the integrated platforms, I can definitively say Epic Games Store and Steam players are able to play together seamlessly. Cross-progression also interconnects the versions to allow a unified experience across storefronts.

Here‘s a comprehensive breakdown of how the Fall Guys cross-play implementation works across key areas:

Unified Matchmaking and Lobby Integration

After linking up my Epic and Steam accounts, I immediately jumped into matchmaking to test cross-play functionality. I was matched flawlessly with friends on both platforms simultaneously with no issues. This applied to standard modes like Race Rounds along with Limited Time modes.

Player population statistics reflect the success of unified matchmaking:

• Over 50 million players have competed since launch
• Record of 1.51 million concurrent users in September 2022 per SteamDB
• All-time peak of 178k+ concurrent players in June after going F2P

These figures indicate a healthy active user base united across PC storefronts able to play together. Steam players now make up roughly 25% of total population.

Developer Mediatonic has ensured lobby integration is seamless as well. Groups containing players from both Epic Games Store and Steam can queue up and enter matches together. This makes organizing play sessions easy regardless of platform.

Account Linking Enables Total Cross-Progression

One of the major benefits of the cross-play update is the ability to link accounts for complete cross-progression between the Steam and Epic Games Store versions. Players can unlock content on one platform and have it carry over to the other.

Here are the steps I took to connect my accounts:

1. Opened up Epic Games Launcher and signed into my account
2. Clicked drop-down menu by my profile picture
3. Selected ‘Connections‘ then ‘Accounts‘ in sidebar
4. Chose ‘Connect‘ button alongside Steam option
5. Logged into Steam pop-up prompt to link account

Once connected, my existing Steam inventory was synced and usable when playing via Epic Games Launcher. This included:

• All previously earned crowns & kudos currency
• Unlocked costumes like the Hot Dog outfit
• Achievement progress and completion rates
• Customizations like nameplates & patterns

Mediatonic has implemented cross-progression in a way that respects players‘ time investment on either platform. Unifying inventories also incentivizes migrating from Steam to Epic.

Adding Friends and Partying Up Across Storefronts

In my experience, playing Fall Guys with friends is always more fun. The cross-play update also delivered on making partying up accessible between platforms.

To add Epic friends from within Steam version:

1. Navigate to Social tab in main menu
2. Select ‘Add Friends‘ section
3. Send friend requests to Epic accounts from list

Groups containing both Epic and Steam players can then party up together:

• Custom match lobbies allow mixed storefront parties
• Easy to queue into standard modes as a cross-platform group
• No lobby errors related to cross-play I‘ve encountered

Seamless social features ensure storefronts no longer divide the community. Friends lists span across Epic/Steam allowing for easy recruitment to squad up in-game.

Why Epic Pushed Cross-Platform Play

Based on multiple interviews with Mediatonic staff, I understood their vision around removing PC ecosystem barriers through enabling cross-play. Some of the driving reasons behind supporting Epic Games Store/Steam multiplayer:

• Transition to free-to-play model provided opportunity to rebuild community
• Important for long-term health to increase total player population
• Allow existing Steam players to keep inventories/progress via linking
• Prevent matchmaking issues stemming from split user base
• Unlock benefits of Epic Online Services ecosystem

Speaking as a core Fall Guys enthusiast, I fully applaud Mediatonic‘s efforts to knock down the walls between Steam and Epic audiences. The resulting unified community pays respect to dedicated players invested on either platform.

My Experience as a Cross-Play User

As someone with hundreds of hours across both Epic and Steam clients, I‘ve directly experienced the benefits of the fully connected ecosystem. Cross-play has enhanced my enjoyment as both a solo queuer and party group member.

Positives I‘ve personally seen:

• Playing with double the friends across platforms
• Flexibility to purchase DLC cosmetics from either storefront
• Grinding crowns via Epic weekly challenges
• Helping Steam friends with achievement unlocks
• Choosing preferred client without impacting progress

With unified progression, economies and features, Mediatonic has effectively erased the divide between versions. Players are empowered to access the same content in their client of choice.

Cross-Play Sets Positive Precedent for F2P Titles

Considering its remarkable success bringing together millions of PC players, other F2P games releasing across multiple storefronts should take note of Fall Guys‘ excellent cross-play execution.

The value delivered through account linking, shared economies and populations cannot be overstated for customer satisfaction and engagement. There should no longer be arbitrary barriers gumming up the user experience.

As an industry leader, I hope Epic continues pioneering cross-platform features enabling players to fully enjoy releases on their preferred platform without being split away friends or progress.

After thoroughly testing every facet of Fall Guys‘ PC cross-play offering as a dedicated player across both ecosystems, I can definitively say the integration wildly succeeds. Matchmaking, social systems, inventories and all other key areas are interwoven beautifully.

For new players on the fence, rest assured your experience will be smooth regardless of jumping into the Steam or Epic Games version thanks to their impressive efforts removing roadblocks. Veterans can also praise the respect given towards our existing investments. I eagerly look forward to seeing cross-play become a standard for bringing together fractured gaming communities in the future.