Cross-Platform MMO Showdown: WoW vs FFXIV vs ESO

For cross-platform play, Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is the clear winner, offering full cross-play between PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, while World of Warcraft (WoW) and Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV) are each locked to their own ecosystems. This article breaks down exactly how each game handles cross-platform features, what you can and can’t do, and which one fits your situation.

Background: Why Cross-Platform Matters

Cross-platform play—the ability for players on different hardware to play together in the same game world—has become a major deciding factor for MMO players. Many people have friends on different consoles or PCs, or they want to switch between their gaming PC and couch console without losing progress. Each of these three MMOs took a different approach to this feature, shaped by when they were developed and their business models.

• World of Warcraft launched in 2004, long before cross-platform was a mainstream concern. It has always been PC-only, and no console version has ever been announced.
• Final Fantasy XIV launched on PC and PlayStation 3 in 2013 (later PS4 and PS5). It has separate servers for each platform but allows cross-platform play between PC and PlayStation on the same servers.
• Elder Scrolls Online launched on PC in 2014 and on consoles in 2015. It introduced full cross-platform play between PC and console players in 2022, with a single shared megaserver per region.

How Each Game Handles Cross-Platform

Here’s a detailed look at the cross-platform capabilities of each game as of 2024.

World of Warcraft

• PC only – WoW runs on Windows and macOS. There is no console version.
• No cross-play – Since there are no other platforms, there is nothing to cross-play with.
• No cross-progression – Your characters and progress exist only on the PC version (though you can play on both Windows and Mac with the same account).

If you and your friends all play on PC, WoW is perfectly fine. But if you want to play with someone on a console, WoW is simply not an option.

Final Fantasy XIV

• PC and PlayStation – FFXIV is available on Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.
• Cross-play between PC and PlayStation – Players on PC and PlayStation can play together on the same servers, form parties, join free companies (guilds), and do all content together.
• No Xbox cross-play – As of 2024, there is no Xbox version of FFXIV, so no Xbox players can join.
• Cross-progression – Your characters are tied to your service account, not to a specific platform. You can play the same characters on PC and PlayStation, but you must own the game and any expansions on each platform you want to play on. You also need a separate license for each platform.

FFXIV offers solid cross-play between PC and PlayStation, but it excludes Xbox players entirely. It also requires you to buy the game separately for each platform you want to use.

Elder Scrolls Online

• PC, Xbox, and PlayStation – ESO is available on Windows, macOS, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.
• Full cross-play – All platforms share the same megaservers for each region (North America and Europe). PC, Xbox, and PlayStation players can all play together, join the same guilds, group up, and do all content.
• Cross-progression – Your characters, level, gear, and progress are tied to your ESO account, not to a platform. You can play the same character on PC and console, but you must own the game and any chapters (expansions) on each platform you want to use. There is no extra fee for cross-progression itself.

ESO is the only one of the three that offers true cross-platform play across all major platforms.

Comparing the Cross-Platform Experience

Cross-platform play is more than just a yes/no checkbox. Here’s how the three games compare in practice.

• Player base – ESO’s cross-play merges the PC and console populations, making it easier to find groups and trade. WoW and FFXIV have separate populations per platform, though FFXIV’s PC and PlayStation players are on the same servers.
• Account linking – ESO and FFXIV both require you to link your console account to a PC account for cross-progression. WoW has no such feature because it’s PC-only.
• Purchasing – For FFXIV and ESO, you must buy the game and expansions on each platform you want to play on. This can get expensive if you want to play on both PC and console. WoW only requires one purchase for PC.
• Add-ons and mods – PC players of ESO and FFXIV can use add-ons that enhance the UI and gameplay. Console players cannot use add-ons. This can create a slight imbalance in convenience, but not in power. WoW has a robust add-on system on PC, but since there’s no console version, there’s no disparity.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

There are several things players often get wrong about cross-platform in these MMOs.

• Misconception: FFXIV has cross-play with Xbox. As of 2024, FFXIV is not on Xbox. The game’s producer has expressed interest in an Xbox version, but nothing has been released. So, no Xbox cross-play.
• Misconception: ESO cross-play means you can use PC add-ons on console. Add-ons are PC-only. Cross-play does not transfer add-ons.
• Problem: Buying the game twice. For FFXIV and ESO, to play on both PC and console, you must buy the game and expansions for each platform. This is a common source of confusion and frustration.
• Problem: Account linking issues. Linking your console account to a PC account can sometimes be tricky, especially if you’ve already created a separate account. Both ESO and FFXIV have support pages for this, but it’s a common hurdle.

How to Choose the Right Game for You

Your choice depends on your friends, your hardware, and your budget.

• If you and all your friends play on PC, WoW is a great choice, but you’ll miss out on console players.
• If you have friends on PlayStation and PC, FFXIV works well, but Xbox players are left out.
• If you want to play with friends on any platform—PC, Xbox, or PlayStation—ESO is the only option.
• If you want to switch between PC and console yourself, both FFXIV and ESO support cross-progression, but you’ll need to buy the game on both platforms.

Costs and Account Considerations

Cross-platform play itself is free, but there are costs to consider.

• Game purchases – For FFXIV and ESO, you need a separate license for each platform you play on. This includes the base game and any expansions.
• Subscriptions – WoW requires a subscription to play beyond level 20. FFXIV also requires a subscription. ESO is buy-to-play with an optional subscription (ESO Plus) that gives access to all DLC and some conveniences, but it’s not required.
• Console online services – To play online on Xbox or PlayStation, you need an active subscription to Xbox Game Pass Core/Ultimate or PlayStation Plus. This is required for all online games, including MMOs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play WoW on my PS5 or Xbox?

No. World of Warcraft is only available on PC (Windows and macOS). There is no console version, and Blizzard has not announced any plans to release one.

Does FFXIV have cross-play with Xbox?

No. As of 2024, FFXIV is not available on Xbox. The game is on PC and PlayStation. There have been discussions about an Xbox version, but nothing has been released.

If I buy ESO on PC, can I play on my PS5 with the same character?

Yes, but you need to buy the game on PS5 as well. Your characters and progress are tied to your ESO account, so you can play the same character on both platforms, but you must own the game on each platform you want to use.

Do I need a subscription to play ESO cross-platform?

No. ESO is buy-to-play. You can play without a subscription. ESO Plus is optional and gives you access to all DLC, a crafting bag, and other perks, but it’s not required for cross-platform play.

Can I use PC add-ons on console in ESO?

No. Add-ons are only available on PC. Console versions do not support add-ons, even though they share the same servers for cross-play.

Which MMO has the largest cross-platform player base?

ESO has the largest cross-platform player base because it combines PC, Xbox, and PlayStation players on the same servers. WoW and FFXIV have separate player bases per platform (though FFXIV’s PC and PlayStation players share servers).

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