We explain how crossplay and cross-progression work in Arc Raiders — whether you’re playing on PS5, Xbox, or PC.
Arc Raiders is a co-op shooter built around teamwork and tactical play. To make sure technical hurdles don’t get in the way of jumping in with friends, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about crossplay and cross-progression. We’ll also show you how to get the most out of these features—and what to keep in mind if you’d rather stick to your own platform.
Crossplay in Arc Raiders: All platforms in one pool
Arc Raiders supports full crossplay between PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC—no matter whether you’re playing via Steam, the Epic Games Store, or even GeForce Now. In practice, that means all players are placed into a shared matchmaking pool across platforms. Crossplay is enabled by default, so there’s nothing you need to set up to play with friends—or random teammates—on other systems.
How to add friends across platforms
To team up with friends, you’ll need their Embark ID. This ID consists of a name followed by four numbers (for example, “RaiderJoe#1234”). Enter the ID in the friends menu, and you can form groups together—regardless of which platform each of you is playing on.
Can you disable crossplay?
Yes, you can turn off crossplay. If you do, you’ll only be matched with players on the same platform as you. For example, PC players will only encounter other PC players, while PlayStation 5 users will be matched exclusively with other PS5 players.
Here’s how to do it:
- Open the settings menu (gear icon in the bottom-right corner of the main menu)
- Switch to the “Gameplay” tab
- Scroll down to the “Online” section
- Toggle “Crossplay” off
Pros and cons of having crossplay enabled
The advantages
Leaving crossplay enabled comes with clear benefits. Matchmaking is noticeably faster thanks to a much larger player pool, which translates into shorter wait times. You’ll also face a wider range of opponents with different playstyles, keeping matches fresh and unpredictable. Another major plus: you can always play with friends, no matter which platform they’re on. The mix of controller and mouse-and-keyboard players also adds an extra layer of dynamism to the gameplay.
The drawbacks
That said, there are a few downsides to consider. One common concern is the input advantage PC players have: mouse and keyboard allow for far more precise aiming and smoother inventory management. On top of that, Arc Raiders does not use input-based matchmaking—players aren’t separated by their control method.
Technical differences can also play a role. Higher frame rates on PC often result in smoother overall gameplay, which can be an advantage in fast-paced combat. There’s also the increased risk of cheating: because cheat software is more common on PC, enabling crossplay raises the chances of running into cheaters.
Many console players also report that Arc Raiders feels more tactical, fair, and controlled when PC players aren’t in the mix. Add to that some UI issues on consoles—the interface clearly seems designed with PC in mind. In hectic combat situations, controller navigation can feel clunky, especially when looting or quickly switching healing items.
Is it worth disabling crossplay?
Despite these drawbacks, disabling crossplay is generally not recommended. Turning it off puts you in a very limited matchmaking pool, consisting only of players on your platform who have also disabled crossplay. This often leads to much longer wait times, higher ping, and sparsely populated lobbies. During off-peak hours, you may end up waiting several minutes for a match—or starting games with just two or three players.
Cross-progression: Your progress on every platform
Arc Raiders doesn’t just offer crossplay—it also features full cross-progression. In other words, your progress is saved and synced across platforms, whether you play on PS5 today and continue on PC tomorrow.
How cross-progression works
The backbone of cross-progression is your Embark ID. This central account links all your platforms together. Here’s how to set it up:
- Visit the website id.embark.games
- Link your platform accounts (PSN, Xbox Live, Steam, etc.) to your Embark ID
- Launch the game on your chosen platform—your progress will load automatically
What gets synced
Your character level and overall progression are synced, along with all weapons and gear, cosmetic items and skins, Battle Pass progress, quests, and achievements. Your entire loot stash and full inventory are also available across all platforms.
Important notes on cross-progression
The first time you launch the game on a new platform, you’ll need to complete the short introductory tutorial again. After that, everything works as usual and your progress remains intact. Also keep in mind that there is no cross-buy feature: you’ll need to purchase Arc Raiders separately on each platform. The one exception is “Xbox Play Anywhere”—if you buy the game through the Microsoft Store, you automatically get access to both the Xbox and PC versions.
For even more tips, guides, and videos, be sure to check out our Arc Raiders guide hub.
