Is The First Descendant Cross-Platform?

Hello from the Blix team. First off, straight to the point: yes, the First Descendant is Cross-Platform. For instance, we have made several cross-guides – about Helldivers 2 or Rainbow Six. This guide will explain the game’s crossplay features, focusing on how PS5 and Xbox players can benefit.

Highlights

• General description of TFD-supported platforms and specifics
• Guide to cross-progression setting-up
• Standard issues and with crossplay and their troubleshooting
• Bonus: typical questions connected with crossplay

Supported Platforms

The First Descendant

The First Descendant is available across multiple platforms, giving players various hardware options. The game has embraced cross-platform functionality for these systems:

• PlayStation 5
• PlayStation 4
• Xbox Series X|S
• Xbox One
• PC (Steam and Windows)

Clearly, players on any of these platforms can connect in co-op missions. Particularly notable is the support for consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One, often sidelined in modern game development. Despite being built on Unreal Engine 5, The First Descendant retains compatibility with older hardware, though players on these systems can expect lower graphical performance and slower load times.

TFD Reddit channel

Crossplay Functionality

Better laid plan

Crossplay allows players on different platforms to join forces, offering a more inclusive multiplayer experience. In The First Descendant, crossplay is available across all supported platforms. Here’s how crossplay works:

Enabling Crossplay

Players can toggle crossplay in the game’s settings. Once activated, this feature allows players on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC to match and form teams.

Adding Friends Across Platforms

The game uses Nexon accounts to manage friends and teams across platforms. After linking a Nexon account to your PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, or Steam account, you can add friends from any platform by searching their Nexon ID.

Cross-Platform Squads

After adding friends, players can form squads and take on missions regardless of their platform. This makes it easy for PS5 players to compete with Xbox or PC players for cooperative boss fights and missions’‹.

While crossplay opens up a much larger pool of teammates, players who prefer platform-specific matchmaking can disable the feature in the options menu. This may help avoid potential imbalances between PC and console players.

Setting Up Cross-Progression

The First Descendant also supports cross-progression, ensuring that players can carry their progress across platforms. This is especially useful for those who frequently switch between consoles or PCs. For example, players might begin on PS5 and continue their journey on Xbox or PC without losing progress.

Linking Accounts

Link your Nexon account with their PlayStation, Xbox, or Steam profiles.

Progress Syncing

After linking, the player’s progress, items, characters, and achievements are synchronized across all platforms. This eliminates the need to save multiple files on different systems’‹.

Is The First Descendant Cross-Platform? Explained

Technical Requirements

TFD PC requirement

To ensure a smooth crossplay experience, players need to meet specific technical requirements. Performance can vary based on the platform used, so here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

PC Requirements

The First Descendant utilizes Unreal Engine 5, which demands decent hardware. If on mid-range PCs, to run the game smoothly, though lower-end systems might struggle in high-action sequences.

Console Performance

If you use PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, you’ll run the game at higher resolutions, which means faster load times and stable frame rates (we aim for 60 FPS). PS4 and Xbox One players will experience longer load times and reduced graphical fidelity, but the game remains fully functional.

A stable internet connection prevents lag and other connectivity issues during crossplay sessions. Players are recommended to use a wired connection where possible or ensure their Wi-Fi is robust’‹.

Common Crossplay Issues and Troubleshooting

Despite the benefits, crossplay can sometimes present challenges. Here are some common issues players may encounter, along with solutions:

In the event of connection drops during crossplay sessions, first, verify the stability of the internet connection. Resetting routers or using a wired connection can often resolve various connectivity issues.

Progress Not Syncing

If cross-progression isn’t working, ensure the correct accounts are linked to your Nexon profile. Logging out and back into the Nexon account often resolves this.

Controller vs. Mouse/Keyboard Balance

PC players using mouse and keyboard setups may have a slight advantage in precision over console players using controllers. To counteract this, The First Descendant includes an aim-assist for console users, which helps level the playing field’‹.

Playing with Friends Across Platforms Guide

Co-op gameplay is at the heart of The First Descendant, so crossplay makes it easy to team up, regardless of what you use. To play with friends on different platforms, follow these steps:

Create a Nexon Account

All crossplay interactions are managed through Nexon accounts, so players must create or link one to their console.

Add Friends

You can use the Nexon interface to search for friends by their Nexon ID, regardless of whether they’re on PS5, Xbox, or PC.

Form Squads

Once friends are added, invite them to your squad through the in-game party system. You can now embark on missions together with cross-platform matchmaking enabled.

Balancing Crossplay: Fairness and Performance

Choosing weapons

One challenge with crossplay is ensuring a balance between platforms, especially when players on PCs with high-end setups face off against those using last-gen consoles. Nexon has implemented several measures to address these concerns:

Aim-Assist for Consoles

Console players on PS5 or Xbox benefit from aim-assist features, which help balance the faster-aiming capabilities of PC users.

Stable Frame Rates

PS5 and Xbox Series X|S maintain consistent frame rates, which helps prevent performance-based disadvantages compared to high-refresh PC monitors.

Crossplay Beta Testing and Feedback

Testing ALL Guns in The First Descendant

The game’s crossplay functionality was thoroughly tested during an open beta in September 2023. Over 2 million players from 200 countries participated, and the results were promising:

Stable Connections

Players reported that crossplay worked smoothly between PS5, Xbox, and PC during the beta.

Performance Consistency

Players could participate in large-scale boss battles with minimal technical issues across all platforms, from the PS4 to the Xbox Series X’‹.

This successful test strongly indicates that the game’s crossplay features are reliable and ready for the full launch.

Future Updates and Crossplay Expansion

Nexon has hinted at future updates that may expand on the game’s cross-play features. This could include:

More Crossplay Features: Potential improvements to matchmaking and more robust cross-platform communication tools.

Content Updates: New missions, bosses, and loot drops are expected, which will further enrich the crossplay experience’‹

What Questions Arise?

Here are answers to common crossplay-related questions:

Can I disable crossplay?

Yes, crossplay can be disabled through the game’s settings if you prefer platform-specific matchmaking.

Will crossplay affect matchmaking time?

Crossplay typically reduces matchmaking time by increasing the pool of available players.

Is cross-progression automatic?

Yes, once your accounts are linked, progress is synced across platforms’‹.