Is Age of Empires IV Cross Platform? Crossplay Guide 2026
Alex Mercer|No, Age of Empires IV does not currently support cross-platform play between different storefronts. The game is available exclusively on PC through Steam and the Microsoft Store/Xbox App, but players from these platforms cannot play together in multiplayer matches.
Age of Empires IV Cross-Platform Support Explained
Age of Empires IV keeps players separated based on which storefront they purchased the game from. If you buy the game on Steam, you can only play with other Steam users. Microsoft Store and Xbox App players are similarly restricted to their own ecosystem.
This separation exists despite both versions running on the same PC platform. The game uses different multiplayer backends for each storefront, which prevents cross-platform functionality. Relic Entertainment and Microsoft Studios have not announced any plans to bridge this gap.
The lack of crossplay primarily affects multiplayer modes including ranked matches, casual multiplayer, and custom games. Campaign mode remains unaffected since it’s a single-player experience.
Which Platforms Can Play Together?
Here’s the complete breakdown of platform compatibility for Age of Empires IV:
| Platform | Crossplay Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | Steam users only | Can only match with other Steam players |
| PC (Microsoft Store) | Microsoft ecosystem only | Limited to Microsoft Store and Xbox App users |
| PC (Xbox App) | Microsoft ecosystem only | Can play with Microsoft Store users |
Players within the Microsoft ecosystem (Microsoft Store and Xbox App) can play together since they share the same multiplayer infrastructure. Steam users remain completely isolated from this group.
Why Age of Empires IV Doesn’t Have Crossplay
The absence of crossplay stems from technical and business decisions made during development. Steam and Microsoft use different multiplayer frameworks and authentication systems, making integration challenging without significant additional development work.
Microsoft’s focus on promoting their own gaming ecosystem likely influenced this decision. By keeping Xbox App and Microsoft Store players together while separating Steam users, they create an incentive for players to use Microsoft’s platforms.
The game’s multiplayer architecture was designed around these separate systems from launch. Retrofitting crossplay support would require substantial backend changes that Relic Entertainment hasn’t prioritized in their development roadmap.
Microsoft Store vs Steam Player Experience
Beyond the crossplay limitations, there are practical differences between platform versions that affect your gaming experience. Microsoft Store and Xbox App users benefit from Xbox Live integration, including achievements and friend lists that sync across Microsoft’s gaming ecosystem.
Steam users get access to Steam Workshop integration, Steam achievements, and the platform’s community features. However, they miss out on Xbox Game Pass benefits if they’re subscribers to that service.
Performance and update delivery are generally equivalent across platforms. Both versions receive patches simultaneously and offer identical gameplay features. The main consideration is which platform your friends use for multiplayer coordination.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
The most significant limitation is friend coordination. If your gaming group spans both Steam and Microsoft platforms, you’ll need to decide on a single platform to play together. This might require some players to purchase the game twice.
Tournament and competitive play organization becomes more complex due to platform separation. Community events often need to specify which platform they’re hosting on, potentially splitting player participation.
The game’s matchmaking pools are smaller on each individual platform compared to what they would be with unified crossplay. This can lead to longer queue times, especially in ranked modes or during off-peak hours.
Cross-progression doesn’t exist between platforms either. Your campaign progress, achievements, and unlocked content remain tied to whichever platform you purchased the game on. Switching platforms means starting completely over.
Can Steam and Microsoft Store players play Age of Empires IV together?
No, Steam and Microsoft Store players cannot play together. Each platform maintains separate multiplayer servers and player bases. You can only matchmake with players who purchased the game from the same storefront as you.
Does Age of Empires IV support cross-progression between platforms?
Age of Empires IV does not support cross-progression. Your campaign progress, achievements, and account data remain locked to the platform where you purchased the game. Moving between Steam and Microsoft Store requires starting fresh with no way to transfer your existing progress.
Will Age of Empires IV add crossplay support in future updates?
Relic Entertainment and Microsoft Studios have not announced any plans to add crossplay functionality. Given the game’s current architecture and the technical challenges involved in bridging different multiplayer backends, crossplay support is unlikely to be added in future updates.
Related Cross-Platform Guides
Alex Mercer
Alex Mercer is the Gaming News Editor at Explosion.com with over 8 years of experience covering the gaming industry. He previously wrote for several gaming publications and has attended E3, Gamescom, and The Game Awards as press. Alex specializes in breaking news coverage, studio analysis, and tracking industry trends. When not writing, he's grinding ranked matches in Valorant or exploring the latest RPG releases.
