[Mega Thread] Crossplay announcement in the recent Dev Update video.

@ogdirtyape said in [Mega Thread] Crossplay announcement in the recent Dev Update video.:

@oneeyedjack44 I doubt very highly that my crew would bail on me. We work well together, and we enjoy sailing together. I am just frustrated. Coming here to read the forums is like watching Fox News and CNN on the same screen. I come back to see some of the long time posters that I know feel the same love that I do for this game, but outside of those scant voices of reason and sanity here, I just don't see people experiencing the same game as me most of the time. Now what I see as insanity (splitting the community) is a possibility for the future, I worry that the game I love will be changed for the worse. I will still wait to see how it all turns out, and hope for the best.

Dude. I upvoted you on that one. I was just saying the same thing that these forums are like watching political sides go at each other. I love this game, it's been one of the few games that I have played as long as I have, since Day 1. I have never laughed as hard, or gotten as defeated as I have in this game. It's part of the overall experience. I just want my wins and losses to be based on my skills or lack of skills, not because of some inherent advantage. I really hope that it does work out for ALL players, because it's such an amazing game. If in the future, it takes away a truely enjoyable experience for PC players (and I don't mean beating up on xbox players with exploits, etc.), then I will call for cross-play to go back to what it was for the sake of the game, but with some tweaks to balance the fairness as much as possible.

so are these all the possible player pools?

PC + XBOX any controller
PC + Xbox m/kb only
XBOX any controller
XBOX gamepad only
XBOX m/kb only
PC any controller

I believe this was well-intended and may be good news for a lot of Xbox users. Having played both PC and console, I understand the struggle. My wife plays on Xbox and definitely feels she's at a disadvantage competing against PC players. I agree.

That said, this change will have unintended consequences. My wife and I sail together, her on Xbox and me on PC. Since most Xbox users will likely turn OFF optional crossplay, we'll be matched mostly with PC users. So now she's going to be up against more PC users, rather than fewer. In a way, this will unbalance things more than they were before.

The obvious solution would be either for me to get an Xbox, or her to get a gaming PC. The former solution is silly since we definitely don't need or want two Xboxes. The latter option is better, but quite expensive.

I recognize the inherent challenges in this issue. Crossplay is a great feature, even considering any imbalances between platforms. How do you truly make a level playing field for everyone? I don't think it's possible. There will always be some situation wherein some players have advantages over others. My wife's situation is a perfect example.

I don't know what the solution is, if there is one. I'm simply giving feedback about an unintended consequence of this change.

@cokney-charmer said in [Mega Thread] Crossplay announcement in the recent Dev Update video.:

@marsmayflower said in [Mega Thread] Crossplay announcement in the recent Dev Update video.:

so are these all the possible player pools?

PC + XBOX any controller
PC + Xbox m/kb only
XBOX any controller
XBOX gamepad only
XBOX m/kb only
PC any controller

Nope just two pools:

1. Xbox console and controller only
2. PC controller, PC K&M, Xbox K&M, Xbox and Controller who Opt in

so if a xbox uses a kb/m they are grouped with PC?

@knifelife your joy is infectious and I feel encouraged after reading your post :) Happy that you got what you wanted/needed, and without resorting to toxic behavior or whining in the process. Wish you the best of luck winning those forum friends back with your characteristic charm

@cokney-charmer said in [Mega Thread] Crossplay announcement in the recent Dev Update video.:

@marsmayflower said in [Mega Thread] Crossplay announcement in the recent Dev Update video.:

so are these all the possible player pools?

PC + XBOX any controller
PC + Xbox m/kb only
XBOX any controller
XBOX gamepad only
XBOX m/kb only
PC any controller

Nope just two pools:

1. Xbox console and controller only
2. PC controller, PC K&M, Xbox K&M, Xbox and Controller who Opt in

so if a xbox uses a kb/m they are grouped with PC?

@marsmayflower it appears so

@vorondil1 Ah, makes sense.

@crazed-corsair said in [Mega Thread] Crossplay announcement in the recent Dev Update video.:

Not happy with this at all, in fact I'm starting to regret ever purchasing this game(can I get a refund after 1 year? :P).
Its been great fun so far to be sure, probably some of the best gaming experiences I've had.
But I paid good money for the experienced of a shared cross-platform world, not for a game with segregated communities.
This has to be the absolute worst decision RARE has ever made with this game, and extremely discriminatory seeing as how this option is for console players only, even though PC's are equally capable of running an XBOX controllers.

RARE had something truly great here with such incredible potential, but now their just letting it run out into the sand and making it just like every single other cross-platform game that came before.

What a shame.

If only I could get a refund for a game I played for a year and enjoyed.

@dekeita from the reply to my post above, this would seem to be the case.

@dekeita said in [Mega Thread] Crossplay announcement in the recent Dev Update video.:

@cokney-charmer said in [Mega Thread] Crossplay announcement in the recent Dev Update video.:

@marsmayflower said in [Mega Thread] Crossplay announcement in the recent Dev Update video.:

so are these all the possible player pools?

PC + XBOX any controller
PC + Xbox m/kb only
XBOX any controller
XBOX gamepad only
XBOX m/kb only
PC any controller

Nope just two pools:

1. Xbox console and controller only
2. PC controller, PC K&M, Xbox K&M, Xbox and Controller who Opt in

My one hope of this not being terrible is in that it's actually

1. Xbox players with a controller who opt-out

2. Everyone else

And that's a fairly important distinction

It sounded like there would have to be some intential opt-out from xbox players and that it wouldn't be a general default to non-crossplay. I would imagine they would encourage crossplay as much as possible and not leave the default to opt out. Xbox players will have a choice.

hopefully this game can keep a healthy playerbase on both platforms because I can see the dreaded server migration problem for PC users in the future which may turn people off and PC will become a wasteland.

This is like the resource barrels all over again.

Only difference this time is that I am not worried about the effects it will have on the game.

I don’t comment much, but I have to say that I am disappointed about this.
I am a PC player. I don’t aimbot, macro, double gun or cheat code. I get beaten in PvP about as much as I win, and have enjoyed the majority of the encounters I get on the seas, regardless of the outcome. All part of the story for me.
The majority of people in this game are console players. I have several in my regular crew and they seem to do well in combat, against PC players or other Xbox players.
Because of the hype of this change, I worry that the console folks will have an exodus and lean towards opting out of cross play, leaving the seas pretty empty. Can’t do much about it if you’re on the PC side of this decision. Less encounters, less story.
I’ve played many online games, and I feel like this one has the least punitive death model of any of them. It’s nothing more than a loss of time. Don’t lose money, just the potential to make it. There are no PvP stats to tend to in order to assign value to your account; you win some you lose some, and it really doesn’t matter!
Hoping that a healthy chunk of the Xbox players stick around to sail the seas with us PC folks- not all of us are as they describe on these forums. I doubt even the majority of us should be painted with the broad brush I’ve seen around here.
All the best in your adventure.

Fair winds,
Flint

@genuine-heather said in [Mega Thread] Crossplay announcement in the recent Dev Update video.:

I believe this was well-intended and may be good news for a lot of Xbox users. Having played both PC and console, I understand the struggle. My wife plays on Xbox and definitely feels she's at a disadvantage competing against PC players. I agree.

That said, this change will have unintended consequences. My wife and I sail together, her on Xbox and me on PC. Since most Xbox users will likely turn OFF optional crossplay, we'll be matched mostly with PC users. So now she's going to be up against more PC users, rather than fewer. In a way, this will unbalance things more than they were before.

The obvious solution would be either for me to get an Xbox, or her to get a gaming PC. The former solution is silly since we definitely don't need or want two Xboxes. The latter option is better, but quite expensive.

I recognize the inherent challenges in this issue. Crossplay is a great feature, even considering any imbalances between platforms. How do you truly make a level playing field for everyone? I don't think it's possible. There will always be some situation wherein some players have advantages over others. My wife's situation is a perfect example.

I don't know what the solution is, if there is one. I'm simply giving feedback about an unintended consequence of this change.

It's a fair concern and understood. You've got issues coming from both sides. I don't think you should have to buy another PC to be more "fair", just like I shouldn't have to abandon my xbox and buy a PC to also be more "fair". A tough predicament. I think (and hope) that you will find alot of folks in the same boat (pun intended) that have groups of both PC and xbox players that will still remain in the crossplay servers. Yes, of course, the ratio of xbox players will drop, but hopefully not too much. Time will tell...

Won't really know how this all plays out until it's done I guess but I do fear that the already extremely underpopulated servers will only become more underpopulated for PC players, as others have said. Sure, a lot of xbox players may choose to continue to play crossplay, but the first time they sink to another ship, that might change. Hopefully Arena brings more PC players to the game.

We'll see, I guess.

@boxcar-squidy said in [Mega Thread] Crossplay announcement in the recent Dev Update video.:

@enf0rcer said in [Mega Thread] Crossplay announcement in the recent Dev Update video.:

Yet another example of Rare backtracking to add to the list as the uncompromized Crossplay is now being compromised.

I mean i can understand why they would need to do this. for Arena mode as it is a competitive experiance ,but why then add it to Adventure Mode?

Also i'm fine with K/B mouse support on console i think thats great. Why not add that frist before making crossplay optional so console player can actually see what it is like to play with that control shceme to learn the pro and cons so a much more objective discussion could be had.

Current list of things Rare has Reversed on:

Uncompromised Crossplay
Competive Play
Sepreate Servers/Modes
AI Ship threats

Whats next?

Safe Zones
PvE only Servers/Story Mode
Loot boxes

Those last three are almost inevitable in my opinion, given past behaviour/backsliding, and the rate at which people demand them on social media. They did also say that the game would evolve, and that they would listen to the community.

I'm not sure I'm liking where this is going. I've always been resistant to change though. I like things as they are. I know that Rare aren't taking that away by making crossplay optional, but what they are doing is putting it in the hands of xbox users as to whether or not I will still be able to play the game that I enjoy today. At this stage I'm not sure even Rare know how this will play out. How can they?

That's why I really want to know more about the exact reasons that they have decided to make this change. I'm happy for those that this change has long been asked for. I just hope that my enjoyment of the game doesn't end up being the price that has to be paid.

I like this community, I like being able to meet xbox players and chat to them, try to spice up their adventures by showing them some of the cool stuff I've found in this game since I started playing. I hope that whatever happens with this change that something special about this game won't be lost in the process.

There are times in this world where giving people an option to opt out of unity results in the worst possible outcome for everyone. There are some very high profile examples of this happening right now. I hope that I won't have to relive that nightmare in the place that has helped me escape from it.

I've always had faith in Rare when it comes to Sea of Thieves. That they are true of heart and are committed to building this game according to their vision.

My interpretation of their vision for this game was that it's a game that allows you to sink people, plunder their loot or ally and cooperate with them without the developer forcing a preference on us. Just letting us interact with the world and its players as we choose as long as we all act like good sports.

The devs appear to be keen on the cooperating and allying part, and that's fine! Even so, I don't think they will yield to the cries for PvE servers, Safe Zones, and loot boxes. I predict the furthest they will go on this is Private Servers (not PvE servers) with disabled gold/rep. I'll admit that this crossplay move has given me a sour feeling in my stomach about that faith I have in them to do the right thing, but I'm still choosing to believe in them. They must stand strong against these cries for an easier/safer/more predictable game.

I didn't come to this game for something that caters to young children that seek watered down challenges, consolation prizes, and participation trophies. If it comes to that, then I'll leave the game because it will no longer be the game that I loved to begin with.

@flint-hawkston said in [Mega Thread] Crossplay announcement in the recent Dev Update video.:

I don’t comment much, but I have to say that I am disappointed about this.
I am a PC player. I don’t aimbot, macro, double gun or cheat code. I get beaten in PvP about as much as I win, and have enjoyed the majority of the encounters I get on the seas, regardless of the outcome. All part of the story for me.
The majority of people in this game are console players. I have several in my regular crew and they seem to do well in combat, against PC players or other Xbox players.
Because of the hype of this change, I worry that the console folks will have an exodus and lean towards opting out of cross play, leaving the seas pretty empty. Can’t do much about it if you’re on the PC side of this decision. Less encounters, less story.
I’ve played many online games, and I feel like this one has the least punitive death model of any of them. It’s nothing more than a loss of time. Don’t lose money, just the potential to make it. There are no PvP stats to tend to in order to assign value to your account; you win some you lose some, and it really doesn’t matter!
Hoping that a healthy chunk of the Xbox players stick around to sail the seas with us PC folks- not all of us are as they describe on these forums. I doubt even the majority of us should be painted with the broad brush I’ve seen around here.
All the best in your adventure.

Fair winds,
Flint

To be honest, we have the toxic PC player base to blame for this. And the fair PC players remained silent on their play style for the most part. I have no objection to playing with PC players (and actually do with some friends). But, it just got to be too much. Perhaps reducing xbox players in crossplay and making it more balanced with PC vs PC will shed more light on it, and push out those toxic players to make xbox players want to "come back". I'm hopeful for that. I still play the game with the current situation and would continue to do so for awhile, but eventually I would check out, like many I talked to if it remained unbalanced.