It's a question that pops up more often than you might think when diving into a new game, especially one as anticipated as Poe2: can I play with my friends, no matter what device they're on? The short answer, as it often is with these things, is a bit nuanced.
When we look at Poe2, the term 'cross-platform' can mean a couple of different things, and it's worth untangling them. First, there's the idea of cross-play – being able to play with people on different platforms. Then there's cross-progression or cross-save, meaning your character and your hard-earned items carry over if you switch devices. And finally, there's cross-purchasing, where something you buy on one platform is available on another.
From what folks are discussing, particularly around the Early Access phase, it seems that while Poe2 is aiming for a broad reach across PC, Mac, Xbox, and PlayStation, the keys to accessing the game itself are platform-specific. This means if you buy an Early Access key for PC via Steam, you'll likely need a separate key to play on your PS5 or Xbox. It's not quite as simple as buying one and having it unlock everywhere, unfortunately. The developers have clarified that for console Early Access, you'll need the appropriate console key.
However, there's a glimmer of hope when it comes to your in-game cosmetics, your Microtransactions (MTX). It appears that these are generally account-specific, not platform-specific. So, if you've invested in some cool gear on your PC account, you should be able to access it even if you later decide to play on a console, provided you're logged into the same account. This is a common approach in many games, and it's good to hear Poe2 is following suit here, as it means your cosmetic purchases aren't locked to a single platform.
It's a bit of a balancing act for game developers, isn't it? They want to make their game accessible to as many people as possible, but the technical and business realities of different platforms can make true, seamless cross-platform play and purchasing a real challenge. For now, it seems the focus is on ensuring you can play the game on your preferred platform, and that your in-game achievements and cosmetics will follow you, even if the initial access key might be tied to a specific system.
