Current Cross-Platform Status
Sons of the Forest currently does not support cross-platform play. This means that if you are playing the game on PC, you cannot join or play with friends who might be on a console like PlayStation or Xbox. The game is exclusively available on PC, specifically through Steam. Therefore, any multiplayer interactions are limited to other PC players on the same platform.
The game launched in early access on February 23, 2023, and had its full release on February 22, 2024. Despite its popularity as a survival horror title, cross-platform functionality has not been implemented. This restriction applies to all forms of cross-play, meaning there’s no compatibility between different gaming systems.
Why No Cross-Platform Play?
The primary reason for the current lack of cross-platform play in Sons of the Forest is its exclusive availability on PC. Since there are no official versions of the game for PlayStation or Xbox consoles at this time, there’s no other platform for PC players to connect with. Multiplayer in Sons of the Forest is available, allowing up to eight players to join a co-op survival experience, but this is strictly confined to the PC environment.
The developers, Endnight Games, have focused on the PC version, which is sold on Steam. Without the game being released on other devices, the concept of cross-platform play simply doesn’t apply. It’s important to note that because there’s no cross-platform support, cross-progression (carrying your game saves or progress between different platforms) is also not available.
Future Cross-Platform Possibilities
While Sons of the Forest does not currently offer cross-platform play, the possibility of it being introduced in the future remains open. The predecessor, The Forest, was eventually released on PlayStation 4 after its initial PC launch. This suggests that Sons of the Forest might also be rolled out to other platforms at some point, potentially after it fully matures beyond its early access phase.
However, it’s worth noting that even after The Forest came to PlayStation 4, cross-play compatibility between PC and PS4 was never added. While player demand for cross-platform features is higher than ever, and many modern multiplayer games are incorporating it, it is not guaranteed for Sons of the Forest. Endnight Games has not made any official announcements regarding console releases or future cross-play functionality. The gaming community’s interest in cross-platform play is strong, and developers sometimes respond to player feedback, so fans can hope for updates on this front. For now, any potential console release or the addition of cross-play would be a decision by Endnight Games.
How to Play Multiplayer on PC
Even without cross-platform support, Sons of the Forest offers a robust multiplayer experience for PC players. You can team up with up to seven friends, or even strangers, to explore the cannibal-infested island. Here’s how PC players can engage in multiplayer:
- Host a Game: From the main menu, you can choose to host a multiplayer game.
- Lobby Settings: You have the option to set your lobby to ‘Friends Only’ or ‘Public’, depending on who you want to play with.
- Joining Friends: Friends can join your game through the Steam server browser or by accepting an invitation directly from your Steam friend list.
- Dedicated Servers: Sons of the Forest also supports dedicated server tools for PC, allowing for more persistent and customizable multiplayer sessions.
- Voice Chat: Communication during multiplayer sessions can be handled through Steam’s built-in voice chat or external applications like Discord.
The game also fully supports solo and offline play if you prefer to experience the survival challenges without an internet connection or other players. However, it does not support local split-screen co-op; all multiplayer is online via Steam. Sons of the Forest is also playable on Steam Deck, though performance may vary based on settings.
FAQ
Is Sons of the Forest cross-platform between PC and Xbox? No, Sons of the Forest is not cross-platform between PC and Xbox. The game is currently only available on PC.
Is Sons of the Forest cross-platform between PC and PlayStation? No, Sons of the Forest is not cross-platform between PC and PlayStation. The game is exclusively on PC.
Will Sons of the Forest come to consoles like PS5 or Xbox Series X/S? Endnight Games has not confirmed any console release for Sons of the Forest yet.
Does Sons of the Forest support cross-progression? No, since there is no cross-platform support, cross-progression is also unavailable.
Can I play Sons of the Forest with friends on PC? Yes, you can play Sons of the Forest with up to seven friends on PC through Steam’s multiplayer features.
Are there dedicated servers for Sons of the Forest? Yes, dedicated server tools are available for the PC version of Sons of the Forest.