Borderlands 4 supports crossplay, allowing players on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC to team up seamlessly. This means players can enjoy multiplayer sessions together regardless of their chosen platform. The feature enhances the cooperative gameplay experience, enabling friends to join forces without the barrier of different consoles or systems.
Beyond crossplay, Borderlands 4 also offers split-screen mode on certain consoles, providing a local co-op option for those who want to play side-by-side. While cross-save functionality is not yet available, the focus on crossplay ensures a more connected and flexible multiplayer environment for Vault Hunters everywhere.
Players interested in crossplay should link their accounts across platforms and configure settings to optimize their sessions. The inclusion of crossplay reflects Gearbox’s commitment to accessible and engaging multiplayer experiences, making Borderlands 4 a versatile choice for cooperative gameplay.
Key Takeaways
- Players can join multiplayer games across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC without platform restrictions.
- Local split-screen mode is available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
- Cross-save is not yet supported but crossplay is fully enabled at launch.
Crossplay Functionality and Supported Platforms
Borderlands 4 offers full crossplay functionality, enabling players on different hardware to join forces seamlessly. This feature spans all major platforms, allowing diverse players to collaborate without restriction.
How Crossplay Works in Borderlands
Crossplay in Borderlands 4 allows users on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (via Steam and Epic), and Nintendo Switch 2 to connect and play together. The game supports simultaneous multiplayer sessions across these platforms, so players can team up regardless of their device.
The gameplay experience remains consistent with no platform-based restrictions on party size or map access. Split Screen mode is also available on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, letting players share a single console in local co-op. This supports both vertical and horizontal screen layouts to accommodate player preference.
Crossplay Setup Requirements
To enable crossplay, players must access the session settings within the game. Crossplay is disabled by default but can be toggled on or off to control who joins their games. Inviting friends across platforms is straightforward once crossplay is active.
All users must have an active internet connection and compatible game versions. Regular updates from Gearbox ensure crossplay remains stable across platforms. However, cross-progression — meaning saving progress across different consoles or PCs — is not supported at launch.
SHiFT Account and Matchmaking
A SHiFT account is mandatory for accessing Borderlands 4 crossplay features. This account ties players’ identities across platforms and manages friends lists. SHiFT also facilitates matchmaking, improving connection quality between different systems.
Matchmaking pairs players quickly by expanding the pool to include all platforms, reducing wait times. This inclusive system allows cross-platform grouping without compromising player skill or experience levels. Gearbox designed this to enhance cooperative play and create a robust multiplayer community.
Multiplayer Experience: Co-Op, Split-Screen, and Cross-Progression
Borderlands 4 offers a variety of multiplayer modes designed to accommodate both online and local play. Players can team up with friends across different platforms, but there are notable distinctions in split-screen support and cross-progression features that affect the experience.
Online Co-Op and Multiplayer Options
Borderlands 4 supports up to four-player online co-op across all platforms through full crossplay functionality. This allows Vault Hunters on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), and Nintendo Switch 2 to play together seamlessly.
The game employs Gearbox’s SHiFT account system for matchmaking, friend management, and session invitations. Players must create and link SHiFT accounts to their platforms to access multiplayer features.
Drop-in/drop-out capability enables players to join or leave ongoing sessions without disruption. Online multiplayer requires active internet connections, and console players may need services like PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to play online.
Split-Screen Availability by Platform
Split-screen co-op on Borderlands 4 is limited to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Players on these consoles can enjoy two-player local co-op with options for vertical or horizontal screen division.
PC (Steam and Epic Games) and Nintendo Switch 2 do not support split-screen play. Players on these platforms must rely solely on online multiplayer to team up.
Split-screen functionality on supported consoles maintains crossplay compatibility, allowing local coop duos to join online sessions with friends on other platforms.
Cross-Progression Status
At launch, Borderlands 4 does not support cross-progression or cross-save. Progress, including unlocked content and character data, remains tied to the platform where it was initially created.
Players switching between platforms must start new characters and gameplay progress independently. Gearbox has acknowledged demand for cross-progression but has not announced a timeline for its implementation.
This limitation applies to all platforms, including crossplay-enabled sessions, meaning cooperative play does not carry over personal progress across systems.
Features in Borderlands 4
Borderlands 4 includes several multiplayer-centric features to enhance co-op gameplay. It supports up to four players online with cross-platform matchmaking and party formation using the SHiFT account system.
Key features include:
- Drop-in/drop-out multiplayer: Players can join or leave sessions dynamically.
- Crossplay enabled by default: Players can toggle personal crossplay settings in the session menu.
- Split-screen on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S: Two-player cooperative local play with screen division customization.
- SHiFT integration: Manages friend lists, rewards, and matchmaking across platforms.
Console players require subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PlayStation Plus for online multiplayer. PC and Switch players need corresponding platform accounts and internet access.
