You're standing in the mud of Kadaku. Tyranids are screaming. Your chainsword is revving. Then you realize your buddy on PS5 can’t actually help you climb the ranked ladder because you’re on a PC. It’s frustrating. It’s also exactly how Saber Interactive designed Space Marine 2 crossplay to function.
Most games just flick a switch and say "everyone play together," but Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a bit more surgical about it. The game supports full cross-platform play across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), but the rules change depending on whether you're fighting the AI or fighting other humans.
How the cross-platform system actually works
Basically, if you’re playing the Campaign or the "Operations" PvE mode, the doors are wide open. You can squad up with anyone on any platform. It doesn't matter if your squad leader is on a high-end rig and you're on a console; the Tyranid swarms don't care about your frame rate.
The "Eternal War" PvP mode is where things get sticky.
Saber Interactive made a deliberate choice to split the player base into two distinct pools for the sake of "competitive balance." There is the Console Pool (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S) and the PC Pool (Steam and Epic). If you are on a console, you will never see a PC player in your PvP match. Ever. This is a hard line in the sand.
Why? It’s the age-old debate. Mouse and keyboard precision vs. controller aim assist. In a fast-paced shooter like this, a PC player flicking a sniper shot can ruin a console player's afternoon. Rather than trying to perfectly tune aim assist—which usually just makes everyone mad anyway—the devs just separated the two groups entirely for the 6v6 modes.
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Setting up your cross-platform sessions
You've gotta use the "PROS" system (Prism Ray Online Services) if you want to link accounts, but for basic Space Marine 2 crossplay, the game usually handles the heavy lifting via invite codes.
In the top right of your pause menu or the squad assembly screen, you'll see a section for "Crossplay Code." You generate a short alphanumeric string, text it to your friend, and they input it to join your lobby. It’s surprisingly old-school. It reminds me of the early days of Nintendo Friend Codes, but it actually works without a headache.
Wait. One thing.
Make sure crossplay is actually toggled "On" in your settings menu under the "Game" tab. Sometimes it defaults to off if you've been messing with your privacy settings on Xbox or PlayStation. If it’s off, you won't even see the option to generate those codes.
The cross-save situation (and the cloud)
Cross-progression is the real MVP here. Since the game uses the PROS backend, your level 25 Bulwark on PC can be the same level 25 Bulwark on your PS5 in the living room.
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You have to link your platforms to a single PROS account to make this happen. Once it’s linked, your unlocks, weapon masteries, and cosmetic armor pieces follow you. This is huge for people who might start the game on a desktop but want to grind some secondary missions on a console later in the evening. Just don't expect your DLC purchases to always jump across. Usually, platform-specific licenses (like stuff bought directly on the PlayStation Store) stay on that platform, even if the save data moves.
Performance gaps and what to expect
Let’s talk about the hardware. If you're playing Space Marine 2 crossplay with a PC friend while you’re on a Series S, you’re going to notice the difference in load times.
The game is a technical beast. The "Swarm Engine" can put hundreds of enemies on screen at once. On PC, if your friend is running an SSD and an RTX 40-series card, they’ll be loaded into the Battle Barge while you’re still looking at a spinning icon. This sometimes causes "Joining Server" hangs.
If you get stuck on an infinite loading screen while trying to connect to a friend on another platform—which is a known bug—the best fix is usually a hard restart for both players. It’s annoying. It’s also very common in the current build.
Why the PvP split is controversial
Some people hate it.
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"I just want to play with my brother," is the common refrain. If your brother is on PC and you're on Xbox, you can play the entire 10-12 hour campaign together. You can spend 100 hours in Operations mode together. But the moment you want to try the 6v6 Eternal War? You're locked out.
There is currently no way to "opt-in" to the PC pool as a console player. In games like Call of Duty or Apex Legends, you can usually join a PC friend and play in their lobbies, effectively accepting that you'll be at a disadvantage. Space Marine 2 doesn't allow that. It’s a total wall.
Is it fair? From a competitive standpoint, probably. The movement in this game is heavy. It’s "chunky." Being able to turn 180 degrees instantly with a mouse is a massive advantage when a Vanguard is trying to grapple-hook behind you.
Common myths about Space Marine 2 crossplay
- "Crossplay makes the lag worse." Not necessarily. The game uses dedicated servers for its multiplayer modes. The lag you feel is usually "packet loss" or "server jitter" rather than a result of playing with a different console.
- "You need a subscription to use crossplay." Well, yes and no. You don't need a special "Saber" subscription, but you still need Xbox Game Pass (Core/Ultimate) or PlayStation Plus to play online at all. PC players, obviously, don't deal with that.
- "Steam Deck can't crossplay." It can! As long as the Deck can hit the minimum performance specs and you're playing on the PC pool, it works fine. Just don't expect it to look pretty.
What happens next?
Saber has been pretty vocal about supporting the game long-term. They've already released patches to improve the stability of the cross-platform "handshake." If you're seeing "Server Maintenance" messages, check their official Twitter (X) feed. They often take the crossplay servers down for a few hours to tweak the backend logic.
If you are having trouble connecting, try disabling your VPN if you're on PC. The PROS system hates VPNs. It gets confused about your regional location and will often reject the connection code.
Steps to optimize your experience:
- Link your accounts immediately. Don't wait until you're mid-session. Go to the PROS website, link your Steam/Xbox/PSN, and get it over with.
- Use the Invite Code. Don't rely on the platform-native "Join Game" buttons in the friend list. They are notoriously buggy across different ecosystems. The in-game code is much more reliable.
- Check your NAT type. If you're on a "Strict" NAT on console, crossplay is going to be a nightmare. Aim for "Open" or "Moderate" by checking your router settings.
- Coordinate your voice chat. The in-game voice chat is okay, but it can cut out during loading screens. Most cross-platform squads use Discord, which is now natively available on both PlayStation and Xbox. It's much smoother.
The reality of Space Marine 2 crossplay is that it’s nearly perfect for co-op fans and a bit of a letdown for the competitive crowd. But honestly, the co-op is where the heart of the game lives anyway. Grab your chainsword, get that invite code ready, and start purging.