‘Overwatch’ update: PC and console cross-play will be available after 5 years but without cross-progression across platforms

It has been more than five years since “Overwatch” launched on PC and consoles, and Blizzard Entertainment is finally adding a cross-play option between friends using PC and consoles. The update, however, will not come with cross-progression.

The much-awaited option for PC and console players to team up and play together on “Overwatch” is in the works following Blizzard’s announcement of the new “global Battle.net.” Blizzard’s gaming network now allows players to merge their friends' lists into one regardless of territories. The change will not affect players in China, both on Battle.net and “Overwatch,” and they will be playing as a separate region.

One of the biggest updates that the global Battle.net network will deliver is the cross-play feature on “Overwatch.” Console players were previously not required to have a Battle.net account to play, but they will now have to set up an account if they want to start playing with their friends on PC. Meanwhile, PC players can skip this step since the game has been exclusively available on Battle.net on this platform.

“Overwatch” console players need to visit Battle.net and create a free account. Then, they will have to link the account to their console by going to Account Settings > Connections. The cross-play feature will be available on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.

The announcement was also clear that the cross-play feature will not come with cross-progression. It means if players were playing “Overwatch” on PC, their progress will remain on that platform even if they can now link their Battle.net accounts to consoles.

On the bright side, developers are not shutting the doors for adding cross-progression in the future. “Overwatch” technical director John Lafleur told fans during a Reddit AMA last month, “Given the additional complexities of cross-progression, it would probably make most sense to tackle cross-play, first and then explore progression as a potential add-on, if we go this route,”

Meanwhile, Blizzard confirmed that the upcoming “Overwatch” cross-play would not affect players’ stats and ranks. The developer will also have separate top 500 leaderboards players on PC, console users who joined cross-play, and console users who decided to disable cross-play.

The “Overwatch” cross-platform play will arrive in beta form first. Blizzard did not provide a specific timeline for its release but said it will launch “soon.”