theHunter: Call of the Wild does not support crossplay between PC, Xbox and PlayStation. Every member of a group must use the same platform ecosystem. Online sessions can still bring together up to eight players.
Crossplay stops at the platform ecosystem
There is no shared lobby for PC and Xbox, PC and PlayStation, or Xbox and PlayStation. A Steam Support response published in May 2025 cited technical and platform-related restrictions. Invitations through Steam, Xbox Network and PlayStation Network do not bypass this limit.
Before buying, check which platform the group uses. A PC player should choose the Steam version if their friends play on Steam. The same principle applies to Xbox and PlayStation groups. This is more important than character level or buying an additional reserve.
The official Steam page states that the game offers online multiplayer and co-op for up to eight players. Xbox and PlayStation list their own online access requirements. These subscriptions enable online play on their respective platforms, but do not create cross-platform matchmaking.
Which players can hunt together?
| Group | Playing together | What to check before launching |
|---|---|---|
| PC players on Steam | Yes | Every player uses Steam and can access multiplayer. |
| Xbox players | Yes, within the Xbox ecosystem | Every account has the required Xbox access for online play. |
| PlayStation players | Yes, within the PlayStation ecosystem | Every account has PlayStation Plus for online play. |
| PC with Xbox, PC with PlayStation, or Xbox with PlayStation | No | Do not buy a second version expecting it to unlock a shared lobby. |
The check is straightforward: confirm the store and platform before scheduling the session. A PC version that is not Steam will not automatically join a Steam session. Public information is most specific about Steam sessions and invitations.
Also find our practical articles and our latest news about online games. In every case, start by checking where each player owns the game.
How to create a same-platform session
- Update the game and sign in to the platform service.
- Choose a host for the group.
- Open Multiplayer from the main menu.
- Choose the reserve and the session privacy level.
- Create the lobby and make sure enough slots remain.
- Send platform invitations, then wait for all players to join.
An official Steam multiplayer update added an Invites button. The host can open their Steam friends list from within the game. For a private game, this option is more reliable than an invitation limited to the Steam overlay, which can be affected by privacy settings.
One owner can open a paid reserve to the group
A player can host a paid reserve for the rest of the group. The official Steam page specifies that other participants can access it when a party member owns it. Players can therefore try a reserve in co-op without every guest buying the same map.
This access ends with the hosted session. Guests do not become owners of the reserve. They must buy it themselves to host it or play there alone. Weapons, dogs, vehicles and other additional content should also be treated as separate purchases.
Before the first hunt, agree on the reserve owner, the host and whether the lobby is private. This avoids discovering at the last minute that the host chose the wrong platform.
What to check when an invitation fails
Crossplay, cross-save and shared progression are different features. The available information does not confirm progression transfers between ecosystems. Do not buy a second version expecting to automatically recover your character, trophies, purchases or saves.
If an invitation fails, check the platform first. Then check the game update, the console online subscription, the host’s online status and lobby privacy. A missing DLC map or a low character level are not the first causes to investigate.
- Return to the main menu and reopen Multiplayer.
- Ask the host to create a new private session.
- On Steam, send a new invitation using the Invites button in the multiplayer menu.
- Make sure no PC player is trying to join a console group.
- See the official multiplayer update if private Steam invitations still fail.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Steam player hunt with an Xbox player?
No. PC/Steam and Xbox do not support crossplay in the same session.
How many players can join an online hunt?
Official listings state that online sessions can host up to eight players.
Does every player need to own the same DLC reserve?
No. A guest can join a paid reserve when a group member owns and hosts it.
Can a guest host the reserve after leaving the group?
No. To host it or play there alone, the guest needs their own access.
Where can I check official multiplayer updates?
See the official Steam announcements and the official theHunter website.
To keep following the topic, also see our article on Call of Duty PS4/Xbox crossplay: how to play together and the news section.
Verified sources
These links let you verify the key information in this article.
- store.steampowered.com: Steam confirms online co-op, sessions for up to eight players, and guest access to a reserve owned by a group member.
- xbox.com: Xbox confirms two-to-eight-player online co-op and multiplayer, as well as the console online access requirement.
- store.playstation.com: the PlayStation Store confirms up to eight online players and the PlayStation Plus requirement.
- callofthewild.thehunter.com: the official Outback update dated 28/03/2023 documents the Steam multiplayer Invites button and the limits of private-session invitations.
