So, you want the lowdown on Fortnite’s crossplay? Buckle up, because we’re about to drop into a detailed breakdown of how Epic Games has built a truly interconnected ecosystem. In short, Fortnite is almost universally cross-platform. That means you can squad up with friends, regardless of whether they’re rocking a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch, mobile device, or older generation consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. You’ll be battling players across all these platforms in most game modes. There is cross-platform matchmaking so you will encounter console and PC players in almost every game mode, and there is no way to turn it off.
How Fortnite Crossplay Works: The Nitty-Gritty
The key to understanding Fortnite’s crossplay lies in its lobby system and how Epic prioritizes platform hierarchy. Let’s say you’re building a squad. The platform of the party leader determines the matchmaking pool you’ll be thrown into. If a mobile player, a PS4 player, and a PC player join the same squad, that party will matchmake into PC lobbies. Understandably, PC lobbies can be more competitive due to higher frame rates and keyboard/mouse advantages, a topic we’ll get into later. This is why the party leader’s platform is crucial.
The Platform Hierarchy: Who’s in Charge?
Epic doesn’t explicitly publish a tier list, but here’s how it generally breaks down:
- PC: Typically the highest tier, due to hardware capabilities.
- PlayStation 5/Xbox Series X|S: Next in line, offering performance close to PC.
- PlayStation 4/Xbox One: Still capable, but with limitations compared to newer consoles.
- Nintendo Switch: Less powerful but still part of the crossplay experience.
- Mobile: The entry point, often facing the steepest competition in mixed lobbies.
It’s worth noting that cross-gen support is seamless. PS5 and PS4 players can team up without any hiccups, and the same goes for the Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One families. Fortnite’s accessibility across different Xbox models is extensive. Whether you’re on Xbox Series X, Series S, or Xbox One, you can play with your friends.
Fortnite Crossplay: Is It Fair?
That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? The perceived advantage that PC players hold over console players in Fortnite is well documented. Things like higher frame rates and a mouse and keyboard setup are typically thought to make the game easier. This is mostly due to the limit of FPS on a console, which usually caps out at 60 FPS (PS5 and Xbox Series X offer up to 120 FPS), while PC players can boost their FPS to 300. However, Epic has implemented skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) to attempt to even the playing field.
Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM): The Great Equalizer?
SBMM aims to place players in lobbies with others of similar skill levels. Stats that influence Skill-Based Matchmaking include the number of Eliminations and Victory Royales. For low-skilled players, they are entered into lobbies with many Bots (sometimes half or more of the lobby are Bots). As players progress, there will be fewer Bots in a lobby and more skilled players.
While SBMM strives for balance, it’s not perfect. The PC advantage remains a point of contention within the Fortnite community. Some players feel that SBMM is not aggressive enough in separating console and PC players, leading to frustrating encounters.
Fortnite Ranked Play and Crossplay
So, you are grinding out the ranked ladder in Fortnite. The good news is that crossplay is fully enabled in ranked modes. Every single platform of Fortnite can play with one another. As you climb the ranks of Bronze to reach Silver, then climb the ranks of Silver to reach Gold, you can play with your friends no matter what device they play on.
Ranked Divisions: The Road to Unreal
The competitive landscape of Fortnite’s ranked system is structured around distinct divisions. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
- Platinum
- Diamond
- Elite
- Champion
- Unreal
Once you reach Elite, you must demonstrate your abilities against other skilled players to advance to Champion, and then finally to Unreal. Keep in mind that in-game stats may vary based on the season.
Fortnite Crossplay: The History
Fortnite was a trailblazer in the cross-platform space. It was technically the first multi-console game to support cross-platform play, but it was enabled by error and against Sony’s policies. In September 2017, a configuration change to the game allowed players to play against each other across Xbox One and PlayStation 4 (as well as PC).
Fortnite Crossplay: FAQs
1. How do I add friends from other platforms in Fortnite?
The easiest way to add friends is through your Epic Games account. You can search for their Epic username and send a friend request. Once accepted, they’ll appear in your friends list in Fortnite, regardless of their platform. This also makes it easy to send party invites from the game.
2. Is it possible to disable crossplay in Fortnite?
Currently, it’s not possible to disable the crossplay function on Nintendo Switch, PC or mobile. However, please keep in mind that the crossplay functionality significantly lower queue times. You can enable or disable crossplay in game settings.
3. Will I encounter more bots if I play with crossplay enabled?
The number of bots you encounter is primarily determined by your SBMM rating, not whether crossplay is enabled. Lower-skilled players are placed in lobbies with more bots, regardless of the platform distribution. Epic Games has added bots to Fortnite matches to enhance the gaming experience for players of all skill levels, but identifying them can be challenging. While the number of bots varies across lobbies, they can impact lower-skilled versus higher-ranked players differently.
4. Does crossplay affect queue times in Fortnite?
Yes! Crossplay significantly reduces queue times, especially for less popular game modes. By pooling players from multiple platforms, Epic ensures that matches fill up quickly, even during off-peak hours.
5. What is the easiest platform to play Fortnite on?
There is no ‘easy’ console to play Fortnite. Both PS4 and Xbox one have good software as well as hardware. The only differences are the controllers. If you want to step up your game on a console, you can buy an Xbox elite controller or you can buy attachments for the PS4 controller.
6. What are the easiest Fortnite servers to play on?
According to research and feedback from Fortnite players, the easiest servers on Fortnite include the Middle East Server, Brazil Server, and Oceania Server.
7. Is Fortnite harder on PC than console?
Many players believe that Fortnite is more challenging on PC due to the perceived advantage that PC players have with higher frame rates and mouse and keyboard controls.
8. How do I improve my visibility in Fortnite?
Lower FOV, use anything between 90-104 is a good place to be. Consider using a bigger monitor for better visibility.
9. What are the minimum and recommended system requirements for playing Fortnite on PC?
Recommended requirements for Fortnite include:
- Processor: Core i5 2.8GHz processor.
- RAM: 8GB RAM.
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7870 or a video card with a dedicated memory of 2GB or high VRAM.
- HDD: 16GB of free space.
10. What is the best controller for playing Fortnite?
This is a matter of personal preference. Some players prefer the Xbox Elite Controller, while others prefer the PlayStation DualSense. Experiment to see which controller feels most comfortable and responsive for you.
11. What are the different ranked tiers in Fortnite?
Climb the ranks of Bronze to reach Silver, then climb the ranks of Silver to reach Gold. Do the same in Gold, Platinum, and Diamond to reach Elite! Once you reach Elite, prove yourself against other highly-skilled players to advance to Champion, and then finally to Unreal.
12. Is Platinum 1 a good rank in Fortnite?
It varies season to season. This season it is pretty good, but not elite. For more gaming insights, visit gbtimes.com.
Ultimately, Fortnite’s crossplay is a triumph of inclusivity. It allows friends to connect and compete regardless of their chosen platform, fostering a vibrant and diverse community. While balance concerns remain, Epic’s commitment to SBMM and continuous improvements suggest they’re actively working to create a fair and enjoyable experience for everyone. Now get out there and squad up with friends! This article is brought to you by the GB Times.
