Is The Forest Cross Platform? Crossplay Guide 2026
Marcus Webb|No, The Forest doesn’t support cross-platform play. While the survival horror game features cooperative multiplayer for up to 8 players, you can only team up with friends who are on the same platform as you. PC players are stuck with other PC players, and PlayStation users can only join PlayStation lobbies.
The Forest Cross-Platform Support Explained
The Forest operates with platform-specific multiplayer servers, meaning each platform maintains its own separate player base. When you boot up the game and look for multiplayer sessions, you’ll only see lobbies hosted by players on your platform.
This limitation affects the core cooperative experience that makes The Forest so engaging. The game’s survival mechanics work best when you’re coordinating with friends to build shelters, gather resources, and defend against the cannibalistic mutants that roam the island. Without crossplay, you’ll need to ensure all your friends own the game on the same system before planning any group sessions.
There’s one notable exception to this rule: PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 players can play together. This works through backward compatibility rather than true crossplay technology. When you run The Forest on PS5, you’re essentially playing the PS4 version with enhanced performance, which allows connectivity between both PlayStation console generations.
Endnight Games has never announced plans to implement crossplay between PC and PlayStation platforms. Given that the developer released Sons of the Forest (the sequel) in 2023 and appears focused on that title’s development, it’s highly unlikely that The Forest will receive crossplay functionality at this point in its lifecycle.
Which Platforms Can Play Together?
| Platform | Crossplay Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | No | PC players only, no console connectivity |
| PlayStation 4 | PS5 only | Works with PS5 via backward compatibility |
| PlayStation 5 | PS4 only | Plays PS4 version through backward compatibility |
| PC + PlayStation | No | Complete platform separation |
Why The Forest Doesn’t Have Crossplay
Several technical and business factors contributed to The Forest’s lack of crossplay support. The game was originally developed as a PC-exclusive title in early access starting in 2014, with the PlayStation 4 version arriving much later in 2018. This staggered development meant the console version was essentially a port rather than a ground-up cross-platform build.
The networking architecture between PC and PlayStation versions differs significantly. PC players connect through Steam’s networking infrastructure, while PlayStation users rely on Sony’s PlayStation Network systems. Bridging these two distinct networks would require substantial backend development that Endnight Games likely couldn’t justify for an older title.
Additionally, the game’s control schemes and user interfaces vary between platforms. PC players use keyboard and mouse with more precise building mechanics and faster inventory management, while PlayStation users navigate with controllers. These input differences could create balance issues in cooperative play, though many modern games successfully handle mixed input scenarios.
Resource allocation also plays a role. Endnight Games is a relatively small independent studio, and implementing crossplay requires ongoing server maintenance and platform certification processes. With Sons of the Forest demanding development resources, adding crossplay to the original game wasn’t a viable option.
Platform-Specific Features and Differences
While both PC and PlayStation versions offer the same core survival experience, they differ in several important ways that affect multiplayer coordination. The PC version supports higher frame rates, better graphics options, and mod support through the Steam Workshop. These mods can significantly alter gameplay, from simple quality-of-life improvements to major content additions.
PlayStation versions run at locked frame rates with preset graphics options but offer more stable performance across all hardware configurations. The PS5 version benefits from faster loading times and improved frame rates compared to PS4, though both PlayStation versions lack mod support entirely.
Server hosting capabilities also differ between platforms. PC players can easily host dedicated servers or use the built-in hosting options with port forwarding for optimal connectivity. PlayStation users rely on the console’s simplified hosting system, which works well but offers fewer customization options.
Save file management varies significantly too. PC saves are stored locally and can be backed up manually, while PlayStation saves sync with cloud storage automatically. Neither platform offers cross-save functionality, so your progress remains tied to the platform where you created it.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
Before buying The Forest for cooperative play, consider these practical limitations. First and most importantly, coordinate with your friends to ensure everyone purchases the game on the same platform. There’s no way to connect across PC and PlayStation, so mixed platform groups won’t work.
The 8-player multiplayer limit applies regardless of platform. While this supports decent-sized groups, larger communities will need to split across multiple sessions. Server stability can become an issue with full 8-player lobbies, particularly on PlayStation where hosting relies on console hardware rather than dedicated servers.
PlayStation players should be aware that the person hosting the session needs a stable internet connection and sufficient upload bandwidth. If the host leaves, the entire session ends, potentially losing progress for all players. PC players have more hosting options, including dedicated server solutions, but these require technical setup.
Communication is another consideration. The Forest doesn’t include built-in voice chat, so you’ll need external solutions like Discord, PlayStation Party Chat, or game chat through Steam. Mixed platform groups would need to coordinate through third-party voice services, but since crossplay isn’t possible, this isn’t relevant for The Forest.
Can you play The Forest with friends on different platforms?
No, The Forest doesn’t support crossplay between PC and PlayStation platforms. You can only play with friends who own the game on the same platform as you. The only exception is between PS4 and PS5, where backward compatibility allows both console generations to play together using the same PlayStation Network infrastructure.
Does The Forest support cross-progression or cross-save?
No, The Forest doesn’t offer cross-save functionality. Your character progress, base builds, and story advancement are tied to the specific platform where you created them. If you own the game on both PC and PlayStation, you’ll need to maintain separate save files and start fresh on each platform.
Will The Forest get crossplay in future updates?
It’s extremely unlikely. Endnight Games hasn’t announced any plans for crossplay, and their development focus has shifted to Sons of the Forest, the sequel released in 2023. The original Forest’s development cycle appears complete, making major feature additions like crossplay improbable at this stage of the game’s lifecycle.
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Marcus Webb
Marcus Webb covers esports, competitive gaming, and community stories for Explosion.com. A former semi-professional Counter-Strike player, Marcus transitioned to journalism 5 years ago and has since covered major tournaments including The International, League of Legends Worlds, and the Valorant Champions Tour. He brings a player's perspective to competitive gaming coverage and is known for his data-driven analysis of player performance and meta shifts.
