You’re a diehard Call of Duty fan who’s stoked for the release of Black Ops 3. But before you dive in, you’ve got questions. Will Black Ops 3 feature cross-platform play so you can squad up with friends on different consoles? What platforms will even get the new COD? Don’t stress, and we’ve got your back. This quick guide will explain everything you need about Black Ops 3’s cross-platform situation. We’ll cover which platforms will support cross-play, how to take advantage of the feature, and any limitations you should consider. Whether you’re a Playstation, Xbox, or PC loyalist, we want to ensure you’ve got the intel to make the most of Black Ops 3’s multiplayer. So strap in, and let’s get you prepped to dominate the competition, no matter what system they play on.
Is Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Cross Platform?
Unfortunately, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 is not cross-platform. Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC players cannot play together. Each platform has its separate multiplayer environment and progression.
Why isn’t Black Ops 3 cross-platform?
There are a few reasons why Black Ops 3 lacks cross-platform support:
- Platform restrictions: Sony, Microsoft, and Activision would all need to agree to enable cross-platform play, and they haven’t reached an agreement. PlayStation, in particular, has been hesitant to allow cross-platform play in the past.
- Aim assist differences: The strength of aim assist varies between console and PC, so controller and mouse/keyboard players would be at a disadvantage against each other.
- Update schedule: Patches and updates must go through certification on consoles, so updates are released at different times. Cross-platform play could lead to instability if platforms are on other versions.
- Cheating concerns: It may be easier to cheat on PCs, so console players worry that cross-platform play would introduce more hackers and cheaters into their games.
- Revenue impact: Keeping player populations separate may drive more sales as players buy the game on multiple platforms to play with different groups of friends.
While unfortunate, the lack of cross-platform support in Black Ops 3 is understandable given these technical, business, and gameplay hurdles. With the release of Modern Warfare in 2019, the Call of Duty franchise took its first steps toward cross-platform play, so there is hope for future titles. For now, though, you’ll need to stick within your platform of choice for Black Ops 3 multiplayer.
Cross-Platform Features in Black Ops 3
Welcome console players and PC players alike! Black Ops 3 allows you to team up with friends across platforms for the first time in Call of Duty history. ###Play Together No Matter Your Platform
Forget being separated because your buddy plays on Xbox, and you’re a PlayStation fan. Now, you can join forces and play together. Squad up with friends on any platform and work together in game modes like Zombies, Multiplayer, and the all-new co-op campaign.
Seamless Matchmaking
Matchmaking in Black Ops 3 is platform agnostic, meaning you’ll be matched with players from all platforms. You might be on PlayStation, but you’ll be matched with Xbox and PC players. Lobbies are filled based on connection speeds and location, which are different from the playing platform.
Share Your Content
Another cool cross-platform feature is the ability to share content like screenshots, clips, and created emblems across platforms.
If you capture an epic win or hilarious fail on PS4, your Xbox buddies will be able to view and enjoy it, too. Custom emblems can also be shared so you can rep your favorite sports team or meme, whether you made it on a PC or console.
Optional Cross Platform
Need to avoid dealing with PC players when you’re on a console? No problem. Cross-platform play in Black Ops 3 is completely optional. You can disable the feature at any time through the options menu. When disabled, you’ll only be matched with players on your same platform.
Cross-platform support is a game changer, allowing friends to play together regardless of their system of choice. Squad up, jump into matchmaking, and enjoy this awesome new feature in Black Ops 3!
How to Play Black Ops 3 With Friends on Other Platforms
The lure of Call of Duty is being able to team up with friends and take on enemies together. Although Black Ops 3 is available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, you can still group up with friends on different platforms. Here’s how to make it happen:
Link Your Accounts
The first step is to link your PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, and Steam accounts to your Call of Duty account. Log in to callofduty.com and go to the “Linked Accounts” page under your profile. Enter the login info for the platforms you use and link the accounts.
Find Your Activision ID
Once your accounts are linked, you’ll be assigned an Activision ID that’s the same across all platforms. In the game, your Activision ID will replace your PSN ID, Gamertag, or Steam ID. Share your Activision ID with friends on other platforms so you can add each other.
Add Friends and Party Up
In Black Ops 3, you can now add friends using their Activision ID instead of their platform-specific ID. Send friend requests to your buddies on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. When they accept, you’ll see them in your friends list in-game.
To play together, one of you forms a party and invites the others to join. As long as you’ve added each other as friends, you can be at a party together, even across platforms. The party leader will act as the host, choosing modes and lobbies for your cross-platform crew to join.
While in a cross-platform party, you can play Zombies, Campaigns, and all the usual Multiplayer modes together. However, some modes like Free Run and Dead Ops Arcade 2 may not support cross-platform play. As long as you stick to the standard versus modes, you can team up with friends no matter what platform they’re on for some classic Call of Duty action.
Cross-Platform Limitations in Black Ops 3
While cross-platform allows you to team up with friends on different gaming systems, it does come with some limitations in Black Ops 3. As with any new feature, there are bound to be a few kinks to work out.
Limited Modes
Currently, only certain multiplayer modes support cross-platform play: Team Deathmatch, Search and Destroy, Domination, Kill Confirmed, and Hardpoint. Unfortunately, that leaves out popular modes like Free Run, Zombies, and the Dead Ops Arcade mini games. The good news is that Treyarch plans to enable cross-platform play for more modes in future updates.
Can’t Add Cross-Platform Friends
At this time, you cannot add friends who play on different platforms through the in-game social menu or phone app. The only way to party up is by joining a friend’s public match or creating your own public match and having them join you. While not ideal, Treyarch says they’re working to implement full cross-platform friends lists and private match support down the road.
Limited Customization Sharing
Your customizations—like emblems, paint jobs, and weapon skins—are tied to the platform on which you earned or purchased them. So if you unlock a cool camo for your gun while playing on PS4, it won’t carry over when you play on Xbox One or PC.
The same goes for your rank, stats, and other progress. It’s not a perfect system, but for now at least you can enjoy playing together, even if you don’t have access to all the same gear.
Cross-platform definitely improves the Black Ops 3 experience by allowing you to play with more of your friends, regardless of what system they have. With Treyarch committed to improving the feature, the limitations may be addressed over time through updates. The benefits of finally playing together far outweigh the small inconveniences. Party up and enjoy!
Fuel Your Passion: Play Black Ops 3 Tournaments Right Here!
Participate for Free
The best part about Duelmasters.io is that participating in their Black Ops 3 tournaments won’t cost you a dime. You can join in the action at no cost and still have a shot at winning cash prizes. Whether you’re a casual player or a seasoned pro, Duelmasters welcomes players of all skill levels to participate in their 1v1, 2v2 and team-based competitions.
Varied Game Modes
Duelmasters offers a range of Black Ops 3 tournament types so you can compete in the way you prefer. Go head-to-head against a single opponent in a 1v1 match or team up with a partner for 2v2 action. For those who prefer bigger battles, Duelmasters also hosts team tournaments where you can join forces with up to 6 other players. You can find a competition that suits your style with options for solo players, duos and full teams.
Real Money Prizes
While Duelmasters’ Black Ops 3 tournaments are free to enter, they offer real cash prizes to the winners. The exact prize pools vary for each competition, but you can win anywhere from $50 up to $500 or more for placing first. For 2v2 and team matches, the cash rewards are split among your teammates. With the opportunity to win money and other perks, Duelmasters gives you an extra incentive to bring your A-game and dominate the opposition.
Hone Your Skills
Competing in Duelmasters’ Black Ops 3 tournaments is also a great way to improve your gameplay. Going head-to-head against other skilled players will push you outside your comfort zone and force you to adapt to different play styles. Over time, your reaction times will get faster, your aim will get sharper, and your on-the-fly decision-making will become more precise. Use each match as an opportunity to learn, and you’ll emerge as a much better player.
Duelmasters brings out the best in competitive Call of Duty by offering a platform for Black Ops 3 players to battle it out for glory and cash. If you’re looking to prove your merit, gain valuable experience, and maybe even win some money, Duelmasters.io is the place to do it. Sign up for their free Black Ops 3 tournaments and see if you have what it takes to dominate the arena.
