Rocket League Cross-Platform Play: PC vs. PS4 – A Complete Guide
Rocket League’s explosive mix of soccer and vehicular mayhem has captivated players across the globe. One of the game’s most appealing features is its cross-platform play, allowing players on different systems to team up and compete against each other. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive breakdown of how to play Rocket League between PC and PS4, covering everything from enabling cross-platform play to adding friends and troubleshooting common issues.
## What is Cross-Platform Play in Rocket League?
Cross-platform play, also known as crossplay, allows players on different gaming platforms to play together online. In the context of Rocket League, this means that players on PC (Steam or Epic Games Store) can team up with or compete against players on PlayStation 4 (PS4) and vice-versa. This broadens the player base, reduces queue times, and allows friends to play together regardless of their preferred gaming platform.
**Important Note:** While cross-platform play is enabled by default in Rocket League, some specific features, like trading items across platforms, are *not* available. You can only trade with players on the same platform as you.
## Enabling Cross-Platform Play
Good news! Cross-platform play is enabled by default in Rocket League on both PC and PS4. However, it’s always a good idea to double-check to ensure it’s active. Here’s how to confirm:
**On PC (Steam/Epic Games Store):**
1. **Launch Rocket League:** Start the game on your PC.
2. **Navigate to Settings:** From the main menu, select “Settings.”
3. **Go to Gameplay Tab:** Click on the “Gameplay” tab.
4. **Check Cross-Platform Play:** Look for the “Cross-Platform Play” option. Ensure the box next to it is checked. If it’s not, click the box to enable it.
5. **Restart if prompted:** Sometimes, the game might prompt you to restart after changing this setting. If so, follow the instructions.
**On PS4:**
1. **Launch Rocket League:** Start the game on your PS4.
2. **Navigate to Settings:** From the main menu, select “Settings.”
3. **Go to Gameplay Tab:** Click on the “Gameplay” tab.
4. **Check Cross-Platform Play:** Look for the “Cross-Platform Play” option. Ensure the box next to it is checked. If it’s not, click the box to enable it.
5. **Restart if prompted:** Sometimes, the game might prompt you to restart after changing this setting. If so, follow the instructions.
That’s it! With cross-platform play enabled, you’re ready to play with your friends on other platforms.
## Adding Friends from Other Platforms: The RocketID System
To play with friends on different platforms, you’ll need to use RocketID, Psyonix’s in-game friend system. This system assigns a unique identifier to each player, allowing them to add friends regardless of their platform.
Here’s how to add friends using RocketID:
1. **Access the Friends List:** From the main menu of Rocket League, look for the “Friends” icon. It’s usually located in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Click on it (or press the corresponding button on your controller).
2. **Navigate to the “Add Friend” Tab:** In the Friends list, you’ll see several tabs, including “Friends,” “Online Players,” and “Add Friend.” Select the “Add Friend” tab.
3. **Enter Your Friend’s RocketID or Email:** You have two options for adding a friend:
* **RocketID:** If you know your friend’s RocketID (which is usually in the format `Username#1234`), enter it in the provided field and click “Send.”
* **Email Address:** Alternatively, you can enter the email address associated with your friend’s Epic Games account. This only works if your friend has linked their Rocket League account to an Epic Games account (which is now required for cross-platform play). Enter the email and click “Send.”
4. **Your Friend Receives a Request:** Your friend will receive a friend request in their Rocket League Friends list. They need to accept the request to become friends.
5. **Friends are Added:** Once your friend accepts the request, they’ll appear in your Friends list, and you’ll appear in theirs. You can now invite them to parties and play together.
## Creating and Joining Parties with Cross-Platform Friends
Once you’ve added your friends using RocketID, inviting them to a party is easy:
1. **Open Your Friends List:** Navigate to the Friends list as described above.
2. **Find Your Friend:** Locate the friend you want to invite in your Friends list. They should be listed as “Online” if they are currently playing Rocket League.
3. **Invite to Party:** Click on your friend’s name (or select them with your controller) to open their profile. You should see an option to “Invite to Party.” Click (or select) this option.
4. **Party Invitation Sent:** Your friend will receive a party invitation. Once they accept, they’ll join your party.
5. **Ready to Play:** Once everyone is in the party, the party leader can choose a game mode and start searching for a match. Everyone in the party will automatically join the same match.
**Joining a Party:** If you’ve been invited to a party, you’ll see a notification on your screen. Click on the notification (or press the corresponding button on your controller) to accept the invitation and join the party.
## Cross-Platform Party Limitations
While cross-platform parties work seamlessly in most game modes, there are a few limitations to be aware of:
* **Ranked Play Requirements:** To play Ranked playlists in a cross-platform party, there are rank restrictions. The highest-ranked player in the party cannot be more than three ranks higher than the lowest-ranked player. This prevents highly skilled players from boosting lower-ranked friends.
* **Trading:** As mentioned earlier, trading items is *not* possible between players on different platforms. You can only trade with players on the same platform as you.
* **Voice Chat:** In-game voice chat may sometimes experience issues when playing cross-platform. Consider using a third-party voice chat application like Discord for a more reliable experience.
## Troubleshooting Common Cross-Platform Issues
While cross-platform play in Rocket League is generally stable, you might occasionally encounter issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
**1. Can’t Find Friend’s RocketID:**
* **Double-Check the RocketID:** Ensure you’ve entered the RocketID correctly. Pay attention to capitalization and any special characters.
* **Ask Your Friend to Verify:** Have your friend verify their RocketID in their Rocket League profile.
* **Try Using Email:** If you’re still having trouble, try using your friend’s email address instead of their RocketID.
**2. Friend Request Not Received:**
* **Check Spam/Junk Folder:** Ask your friend to check their spam or junk folder for the friend request email (if you used email to send the request).
* **Restart Rocket League:** Sometimes, simply restarting the game can resolve the issue.
* **Check Network Connection:** Ensure both you and your friend have stable internet connections.
* **Firewall Issues:** Ensure that Rocket League is allowed through your firewall. Sometimes, firewall settings can block friend requests.
**3. Can’t Join Party:**
* **Check Party Settings:** Ensure the party isn’t set to “Private.” If it is, only the party leader can invite players.
* **Restart Rocket League:** Restarting the game can often resolve connection issues.
* **Network Issues:** Check your internet connection. A weak or unstable connection can prevent you from joining a party.
* **Server Issues:** Occasionally, Rocket League servers might experience issues. Check the Rocket League social media channels (Twitter, Reddit) for updates on server status.
* **Game Version Mismatch:** Ensure that both you and your friend are running the latest version of Rocket League. If one of you has an outdated version, you might not be able to join the same party.
**4. Cross-Platform Play Not Working:**
* **Verify Cross-Platform Play is Enabled:** Double-check that cross-platform play is enabled in the game settings on both PC and PS4.
* **Restart Devices:** Try restarting both your PC/PS4 and your router/modem.
* **Server Issues:** As mentioned before, server issues can sometimes affect cross-platform play. Check the Rocket League social media channels for updates.
**5. Voice Chat Issues:**
* **Check In-Game Voice Chat Settings:** Ensure that voice chat is enabled in the Rocket League settings. Adjust the volume levels as needed.
* **Test Microphone:** Test your microphone to ensure it’s working correctly. On PC, check your microphone settings in the Windows sound settings. On PS4, check your microphone settings in the PS4 settings.
* **Use a Headset:** Using a headset with a built-in microphone can improve voice chat quality.
* **Use Third-Party Voice Chat:** Consider using a third-party voice chat application like Discord for a more reliable experience.
**6. Epic Games Account Issues:**
* **Verify Epic Games Account:** Ensure that your Rocket League account is linked to a valid Epic Games account. This is now a requirement for cross-platform play.
* **Check Epic Games Launcher:** If you’re playing on PC via the Epic Games Store, ensure that the Epic Games Launcher is running and that you’re logged in.
* **Epic Games Server Status:** Check the Epic Games server status to see if there are any known issues affecting connectivity.
**7. Firewall/Antivirus Interference**
* **Allow Rocket League through Firewall:** Ensure that Rocket League’s executable file (usually located in the game’s installation directory) is allowed through your firewall. Your firewall might be blocking the game’s ability to connect to the internet and other players.
* **Temporarily Disable Antivirus:** As a temporary test, try disabling your antivirus software to see if it’s interfering with Rocket League’s online connectivity. If disabling the antivirus resolves the issue, you’ll need to configure your antivirus to allow Rocket League to run without interference.
## Tips for a Better Cross-Platform Experience
Here are a few tips to enhance your cross-platform Rocket League experience:
* **Communicate Effectively:** Since you’re playing with friends on different platforms, communication is key. Use voice chat (either in-game or via a third-party application) to coordinate your strategies and call out plays.
* **Be Patient:** Occasionally, you might encounter minor lag or connection issues when playing cross-platform. Be patient and understanding, and try troubleshooting any problems that arise.
* **Practice Together:** The more you play with your cross-platform friends, the better you’ll become at coordinating your gameplay and working as a team.
* **Have Fun!** Rocket League is all about having fun. Enjoy playing with your friends, regardless of their platform.
## Cross-Platform Progression (Account Linking)
Rocket League offers cross-platform progression, but it requires linking your accounts to an Epic Games account. This allows you to access your inventory, Rocket Pass progress, and rank across all platforms linked to your Epic Games account. If you primarily play on PS4, you can still link your Epic account and use your inventory on PC (or vice versa).
**How to Link Your Accounts:**
1. **Go to RocketLeague.com/Activate:** Visit this website on your computer or mobile device.
2. **Log in with Your Epic Games Account:** Log in to the Epic Games account you want to use as your primary account.
3. **Link Your Platforms:** Follow the on-screen instructions to link your PS4 account (and any other platforms you play on) to your Epic Games account.
4. **Choose a Primary Platform:** Select the platform whose inventory and rank you want to use across all platforms. *Be careful when selecting the primary platform.* This is the account that will be used as the basis for your inventory and progress. All other linked accounts will then use this profile.
**Important Notes About Account Linking:**
* **Carefully Select Your Primary Platform:** Once you’ve selected a primary platform, it can be difficult to change. Consider which platform has the most progress and valuable items when making your decision.
* **Some Items May Not Transfer:** Certain platform-exclusive items (like PlayStation-themed cars) might not transfer to other platforms, even with account linking.
* **Rocket Pass Progress Transfers:** Your Rocket Pass progress and unlocked items will transfer across platforms after linking your accounts.
## The Future of Cross-Platform Play in Rocket League
Psyonix has consistently supported cross-platform play in Rocket League, and it’s likely that they will continue to improve and expand the feature in the future. Potential future developments could include:
* **Cross-Platform Trading:** While currently unavailable, cross-platform trading is a highly requested feature that Psyonix may consider implementing in the future.
* **Enhanced Voice Chat:** Improvements to in-game voice chat could make it easier to communicate with cross-platform teammates.
* **Expanded Platform Support:** While Rocket League is currently available on PC, PS4, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, Psyonix may consider bringing the game to other platforms in the future, further expanding the cross-platform player base.
By following this guide, you should be able to easily set up and enjoy cross-platform play in Rocket League between PC and PS4. So grab your friends, buckle up, and get ready for some high-octane soccer action!