Exploring Epic Games Store’s Commitment to Cross-Platform Play

16 May 2025

Let’s talk about one of the most exciting shifts in gaming today: cross-platform play. You know, that beautiful moment when a gamer on PC and their buddy on console can share the same adventure, battle the same dragons, or duke it out in the same arenas. This isn’t just the stuff of dreams anymore—it’s becoming a reality, thanks to companies like Epic Games. The Epic Games Store (EGS) has been making quiet (and sometimes not-so-quiet) moves behind the scenes to push cross-platform gaming into the mainstream.

But what’s the big deal with cross-platform play? Why is the Epic Games Store so determined to champion this feature? And how does it benefit us gamers? Buckle up, because we’re diving deep into Epic’s commitment to making cross-platform play not just a possibility, but the standard.

What Is Cross-Platform Play, and Why Does It Matter?

Cross-platform play (or crossplay) is the fancy term for letting gamers across different platforms—think PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and even mobile—play together in the same game. Imagine if everyone in your friend group could team up for a Fortnite victory royale, no matter what device they’re using. That’s the dream, right?

But it’s not just about convenience. Cross-platform play is about community. It tears down the walls that separate players based on the console or system they’ve invested in. In a way, it’s kind of like breaking the barriers of exclusive clubs—everyone is invited to the party. For years, gaming has been fragmented, with players locked into specific ecosystems. Crossplay flips that on its head, and the Epic Games Store is one of the key players leading this transformation.

The Epic Games Store: A Crossplay Champion

When people hear "Epic Games," their first thought is probably Fortnite. And for good reason! Fortnite has been a cross-platform juggernaut for years. Players on PC, consoles, or even mobile devices can seamlessly log in and squad up. But Epic’s commitment to crossplay doesn’t end with Fortnite. They’ve taken a broader, more ambitious approach by building tools and infrastructure to bring cross-platform capabilities to other games—and developers.

Yep, Epic isn’t just keeping the secret sauce to themselves. They’ve been working hard to create resources like the Epic Online Services (EOS), which any developer can use to integrate cross-play features into their games. This move is as bold as it is generous, and it’s essentially Epic shouting, "Let’s all win together!"

Epic Online Services: The Backbone of Crossplay

Here’s where things get technical—but don’t worry, I’m keeping it simple! Epic Online Services is like a Swiss army knife for game developers. This suite of tools includes matchmaking, leaderboards, cloud saves, voice chat, and, most importantly, cross-play support. What makes EOS unique is that it’s platform-agnostic (fancy talk for "it works everywhere"). Developers can use EOS not only for games on the Epic Games Store but also for those on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and beyond.

This approach isn’t just a win for developers—it’s a win for us gamers. Why? Because it paves the way for more games to have crossplay support without developers having to reinvent the wheel. It’s basically like giving everyone the keys to the same shiny sports car and saying, “Go wild!”

Why Is Epic Pushing Crossplay So Hard?

Okay, so we’ve established that Epic is making huge strides in cross-platform play. But why are they doing it? What’s the endgame here? Well, the answer is twofold: community and competition.

Building a Universal Gaming Community

At its core, gaming is about connections and shared experiences. Whether it’s taking down a raid boss, outmaneuvering the enemy team, or just exploring a vast open world, these moments are better when shared. Cross-platform play expands those opportunities by letting players connect across devices. Epic clearly sees gaming as a universal language, and crossplay is the translator that brings us all together.

Think about it—how many times have you had to sit out a game night because your console didn’t match your friend’s? Or worse, passed on an amazing multiplayer title because none of your friends were on the same platform? Epic wants to kill that vibe altogether, replacing it with, “Hey, let’s jump in, no matter what we’re using!”

Competing in the Digital Marketplace

Now, let’s get real—Epic isn’t just doing this out of the kindness of their hearts. Their commitment to crossplay also has a strategic edge. By championing it, they’re making the Epic Games Store more attractive to gamers and developers alike. It’s kind of like offering free candy at a store—it’s tough to ignore!

The Epic Games Store already disrupted the PC gaming market by introducing lower revenue splits for developers (meaning devs keep more of their profits compared to Steam). Combine that with Epic Online Services, and you’ve got a platform that’s hard to resist. Epic is betting big that by enabling crossplay, they’ll attract a loyal following—and they’re not wrong.

The Challenges of Crossplay: It’s Not All Smooth Sailing

Of course, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows out there. Cross-platform play comes with its own set of challenges. For starters, there’s the technical side. Each platform comes with its own ecosystem, rules, and restrictions. Making all those systems talk to each other is no small feat—it’s like trying to get cats and dogs to get along.

Then there’s the business side of it. Not all companies are keen on crossplay. For years, major console manufacturers like Sony and Microsoft have been fiercely protective of their ecosystems. While we’ve seen more cooperation in recent years, there are still plenty of hurdles to overcome. Despite these challenges, Epic continues to push forward, determined to make crossplay the standard, not the exception.

The Future of Crossplay and Epic’s Vision

So, where does Epic’s commitment to crossplay take us next? Honestly, the sky’s the limit. With Epic Online Services gaining traction and more studios embracing crossplay, we’re looking at a future where choosing a platform becomes less about exclusivity and more about personal preference. Want to game on PC? Great. Prefer a console? Go for it. In Epic’s ideal world, it wouldn’t matter because we’d all be playing together anyway.

Plus, with emerging technologies like cloud gaming and 5G, cross-platform experiences are only going to get smoother. Picture this: playing a game on your phone during your commute, then picking up right where you left off on your PC when you get home. That’s the kind of seamless integration Epic is working toward.

Why Gamers Should Care About Crossplay

Now, if you’re not already hyped about cross-platform play, let me spell it out for you: it’s all about freedom. Freedom to play what you want, where you want, and with whoever you want. It’s about tearing down the walls that divide us as gamers. And Epic Games is lighting the way.

Sure, we’ve still got a long road ahead. Technical challenges need to be solved, and not every game will embrace crossplay overnight. But the progress we’ve seen, especially from Epic, gives us plenty to be optimistic about. They’re proving that the industry doesn’t have to stay locked in its old ways.

Final Thoughts: A More Connected Gaming World

The Epic Games Store’s push for cross-platform play is more than just a feature—it’s a mission. It’s about creating a world where gamers aren’t limited by the devices they own, but united by the passion they share. Epic isn’t just dreaming of that future; they’re building it, one game at a time.

Whether you’re navigating the battlefield in Fortnite, exploring the vast landscapes of Rocket League, or diving into the next big multiplayer hit, crossplay is the glue that binds us together. And for that, Epic Games deserves some major props. So here’s to a future where gaming is truly for everyone—no walls, no barriers, just epic adventures with epic friends.