Can PS5 and Xbox Series S/X Play Together?

Yes! This new console generation has seen massive growth in crossplay support. If a game developer enables the feature, PS5 and Xbox Series S/X owners can play together across platforms. It opens up multiplayer access between PlayStation and Xbox friends lists for supported titles. Keep reading as I dive deeper into everything you need to know about PS5 and Xbox crossplay!

The State of Crossplay This Generation

Crossplay support continues to connect players across competing platforms as Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo and PC tear down the longstanding multiplayer divides.

Sony especially has done an about-face:

• During the PS4 generation, Sony resisted allowing crossplay
• They now openly support developers adding crossplay based on fan demand

This table shows major upcoming titles supporting crossplay between PS5 and Xbox Series X/S…

How Game Developers Enable Crossplay

Adding crossplay takes significant development effort. Studios like Epic Games and Activision have built specialized frameworks so games can sync progression and connect friends across platforms.

Here‘s the high level process to enable crossplay from a dev perspective:

• Build user account systems that can link across Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC
• Integrate APIs like Epic Online Services into the game code
• Configure gameplay, inventories, progression to carry across platforms
• Setup matchmaking to combine players across consoles
• Certify with each console platform holder for crossplay approval

Once the plumbing is in place, the developer flips the switch to enable crossplay between the supported platforms.

Comparing Social Experiences Across Consoles

The social and community gaming experiences can differ quite a bit between rival PlayStation and Xbox ecosystems…

Friends, Parties and Voice Chat

Both PS5 and Xbox Series X/S allow you to:

• See friends online playing games
• Send party invites for multiplayer gaming sessions
• Start voice chats with your squads

Xbox has been more open for cross-platform parties and chat. Microsoft props up this social ecosystem with apps like Xbox mobile and Windows integration.

However, PlayStation has closed those gaps allowing users to finally join crossplay Discord voice chats directly from your PS5. So Xbox and PlayStation gamers can squad up and talk together as they play the same game.

Shared Game Libraries

The consoles take differing approaches to accessing shared games libraries:

• Xbox empowers game sharing between consoles through home Xbox settings
• Sony doesn‘t allow game sharing between PS5 consoles
  • Your games are locked to your PSN account

So Xbox provides more flexibility for accessing multiplayer games with family and friends off a single game purchase.

Technical Aspects of Crossplay Matchmaking

When you enable crossplay, available players from all connected platforms are funneled into shared matchmaking pools.

Developers use metrics like skill, network latency and location to optimize matchmaking across Xbox, PlayStation and PC players.

The results can produce some platform advantages:

• PC players benefit from uncapped framerates and mouse/keyboard precision
• PlayStation and Xbox share similar performance targeting 60 FPS
• Console aim assist tries to level the playing field against PC

Crossplay matchmaking tries to balance these technical differences. But the reality is PC players gain advantages in shooters like Call of Duty and Fortnite.

Limitations Between PlayStation and Xbox Networks

While the opportunities grow to play together across platforms, some limitations remain:

• PlayStation games don‘t work natively on Xbox and vice versa
• No cross-generation play
  • PS5 players only match with PS5
  • Xbox Series X/S only match together
• Exclusives don‘t release across rival platforms
• Voice chat, parties and invites only work within the same console ecosystems
• Progression, inventories, etc don‘t carry across PS5 and Xbox

The walled gardens haven‘t fully crumbled yet. But crossplay mechanics and shared ecosystems like Epic Games now bridge these multiplayer barriers.

Comparing PS5 and Xbox Series X/S Specs

On paper, the PS5 and Xbox Series X share comparable next-gen specs in terms of processing power and graphics performance:

For a budget next-gen option, Xbox Series S provides portable 1440p gaming. But crossplay means you can game with friends no matter which next-gen console you pick!

Which Exclusives Shine This Generation

While tech specs closely align, the exclusives and controller innovations differentiate the PS5 and Xbox consoles over their lifecycles.

PlayStation hits this generation include:

• Marvel‘s Spider-Man games
• God of War Ragnarok
• Horizon Forbidden West
• Gran Turismo 7

These showcase immersive stories paired with the DualSense controller‘s advanced force feedback and dynamic triggers.

While Xbox Game Pass subscriptions provide day one access to every Microsoft exclusive like Starfield without buying games individually. This levels up the Xbox value proposition despite less compelling exclusives.

Who Wins This Crossplay Generation? Gamers.

At the end of the day, crossplay mechanics break down former barriers so friends can play together no matter which console they own. The result is a net win for multiplayer gamers.

Sure, some limitations remain. Voice chat and invites don‘t always crossover between PlayStation and Xbox networks. Playing on PC provides tactical advantages.

But if the game itself connects friends across platforms, does anything else really matter?

With crossplay support now table stakes for multiplayer titles, the message rings loud and clear. Gamers win this crossplay generation.

Let me know if you have any other questions!