Hey everyone, Elias here from RivalSector.com. Since its explosive launch back in late 2023, The Finals has remained a fixture in my gaming rotation. The sheer chaos of its destructible arenas, the fast-paced gunplay, and the high-stakes cash-out objectives create a multiplayer experience that still feels fresh. One of the most critical questions for any modern multiplayer title, however, is about connectivity. Can you squad up with your friends regardless of their rig? So today, let’s break down a question I still see popping up everywhere: Is The Finals cross-platform?
The short answer is a resounding yes, and honestly, it’s one of the best implementations I’ve seen in the industry. But the full story is a bit more nuanced. Let’s dive deep into how cross-play works in the world’s greatest game show, what it means for you, and whether you should ever consider turning it off.
The Short Answer: Yes, The Finals is Fully Cross-Platform!
Let’s get the big news out of the way immediately. From day one, Embark Studios launched The Finals with complete cross-platform support. This functionality, often called cross-play, is enabled across all of its available platforms:
- PC (via Steam)
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X/S
- PlayStation 4
This means that a player on a high-end PC can team up with their friends who are playing on a PS5 or an Xbox Series X/S without any barriers. This was a massive decision by Embark that has undoubtedly contributed to the game’s healthy player base and longevity nearly two years into its life cycle. It means faster queue times and, most importantly, no “what platform are you on?” conversations with your buddies. It is also worth noting that the game supports cross-progression, a topic we cover in another one of our detailed guides.
How Cross-Play Actually Works in the Arena
By default, when you load into The Finals, cross-play is turned on. The matchmaking system will pull from the entire player pool across PC, PS5, and Xbox to create lobbies. This creates a massive, unified community, which is fantastic for keeping the game feeling populated and competitive at all hours of the day.
To invite friends from other platforms, you don’t use your native console friends list like PSN or Xbox Live. Instead, you use Embark’s own in-game social system. Every player has a unique Embark ID, which usually looks something like Username#1234. You can find your own ID in the social menu and share it with your friends. Once you’ve added them, they’ll appear on your in-game friends list, and you can invite them to your squad with a couple of clicks, no matter what system they’re on. It’s a seamless and simple process that works exactly as it should.
The Big Debate: PC vs. Console in The Finals
Of course, with any competitive shooter that enables cross-play, the age-old debate between controllers and mouse and keyboard (M&K) comes roaring to the forefront. PC players often have an advantage in raw aiming speed and precision, while console players benefit from aim assist to level the playing field. In a game as fast and vertical as The Finals, this debate is particularly relevant.
I’ve sunk hundreds of hours into the game on both PC and PS5, and I can tell you that both inputs are perfectly viable. Embark has done a decent job tuning the aim assist on controllers to make it competitive without feeling overly “sticky” or unfair. However, there are undeniable differences in how each input method excels.
Here is a quick breakdown of the perceived advantages of each:
| Feature | Mouse & Keyboard (PC) | Controller (Console) |
| Precision Aiming | Superior for flick shots and precise headshots with weapons like sniper rifles or revolvers. | Less precise for micro-adjustments, relying more on crosshair placement and aim assist. |
| Movement & Control | Allows for rapid 180-degree turns and easier management of recoil through mouse control. | Offers more nuanced movement speed with analog sticks, which can be beneficial for peeking corners. |
| Target Tracking | Requires constant manual tracking of fast-moving targets, like a Light build zip-zagging. | Aim assist helps “stick” to targets, making it easier to track enemies during chaotic firefights. |
| Ease of Use | Higher skill ceiling but can feel less intuitive for newcomers to PC FPS games. | Very intuitive and comfortable for long play sessions, familiar to most gamers. |
Ultimately, a skilled player can dominate on any platform. I’ve been absolutely beamed by console players who have mastered movement and positioning, and I’ve seen PC players struggle to land a shot. The unified player base means that climbing The Finals ranks is a true test of skill against every type of player, which makes the competition even more fierce.
Should You Ever Turn Off Cross-Play?
For some players, particularly on console, the idea of facing M&K users is a complete non-starter. The good news is that you can disable cross-play. The bad news is that it comes with some serious drawbacks.
This option is typically found in the game’s settings menu under the “Gameplay” or “Network” tab. If you disable it, you will only be matched with and against players on your own platform family (e.g., PlayStation vs. PlayStation).
The biggest consequence? Your queue times will become significantly longer. You are cutting yourself off from the vast majority of the player base. During off-peak hours, you might find it very difficult to find a full match in certain modes, especially the ranked tournament. Furthermore, you won’t be able to play with any friends who are on a different platform. My personal recommendation is to leave it enabled. The larger player pool and the ability to play with anyone are core strengths of The Finals.
The Impact of a Unified Arena
The decision to implement full cross-play from launch has had a profound and lasting positive effect on the game. Beyond just letting friends play together, it has created a single, massive competitive ecosystem. This means the talent pool is deeper, the metas evolve in interesting ways, and the competition for the top spots on the leaderboards is intense.
This is especially true in the game’s ranked mode. When you’re grinding for the exclusive seasonal cosmetics that come with high ranks, you know you are competing against the best players from all platforms. This makes achieving those coveted The Finals ranked rewards feel that much more significant. A unified player base ensures that the game’s health remains strong, preventing the community from fracturing into smaller, platform-specific groups which can often lead to the decline of a game.
Final Thoughts
So, to wrap it all up: The Finals is not just cross-platform, it’s a shining example of how to implement the feature correctly. With full cross-play from day one, Embark Studios built a game designed to bring players together, not wall them off. It has helped the game maintain a vibrant community and ensures that no matter where your friends play, you can always squad up and chase that final cash-out together.
While the PC vs. console debate will likely never end, the implementation in The Finals is fair enough that players on all platforms can compete and have a blast. The benefits of fast matchmaking and a unified community far outweigh any perceived disadvantages.What are your thoughts on cross-play in The Finals? Have you had good experiences squadding up with friends on other platforms? Drop a comment below and let’s discuss! For more deep dives like this, be sure to check out our Gaming Insights category at RivalSector.
