Is the original Dying Light cross play? Let’s dive deep in Techland’s 2015 zombie-survival and find out how can you coop with your friends across different systems.
Before digging into the information, check out our Dying Light 2 cross platform article if you’re looking for that.
In the genre of survival horror games, few have carved out as unique a niche as Techland’s 2015 masterpiece, Dying Light. The game, which plunged players into the gloomy, zombie-infested city of Harran, garnered massive success and a dedicated fanbase, thanks to its compelling combination of great combat, engaging RPG elements such as quests and an inventive weapon crafting system. Dying Light’s chilling atmosphere, nuanced gameplay, and impressive mechanics were just a few reasons why this survival horror found its place in the hearts of many.
However, despite its continued popularity, one question has been persistently asked among its fanbase: Is Dying Light cross platform? The short answer is: partially. While it’s true that Dying Light offers limited cross play capabilities, it’s crucial to understand its boundaries. If you’re a PC player, for instance, you won’t be able to team up with friends who are on Xbox or PlayStation. Similarly, Xbox players can’t form alliances with PlayStation users, and vice versa.
What Dying Light does provide is what’s known as cross gen capabilities. This is a different kind of compatibility, allowing players within the same console family to enjoy the game together. So, if you’re a PS4 user, you can quickly dive into Dying Light’s world with a friend on PS5. Likewise, Xbox One users can team up with those on Xbox Series S or X, all in the same coop session. Here is a table that describes Dying Light’s cross platform capabilities and limits:
Dying Light cross platform capabilities
| PC | ||
| Xbox | PC | ❌ |
| PlayStation | PC | ❌ |
| Nintendo Switch | PC | ❌ |
| Xbox | ||
| PC | Xbox | ❌ |
| PlayStation | Xbox | ❌ |
| Nintendo Switch | Xbox | ❌ |
| PlayStation | ||
| PC | PlayStation | ❌ |
| Xbox | PlayStation | ❌ |
| Nintendo Switch | PlayStation | ❌ |
| Nintendo Switch | ||
| PC | Nintendo Switch | ❌ |
| Xbox | Nintendo Switch | ❌ |
| PlayStation | Nintendo Switch | ❌ |
| Console families (cross gen) | ||
| Xbox One | Xbox Series S / X | ✅ |
| PlayStation 4 | PlayStation 5 | ✅ |
Such features, while not exhaustive in terms of cross-platform play, do serve to bring fans together across generations of the same console. However, they also highlight the untapped potential for more inclusive cross-platform capabilities in future game iterations or updates.
Despite these cross-platform limitations, Dying Light continues to pull impressive player counts on each system, illustrating its enduring appeal. On Steam alone, the game often boasts over 10,000 concurrent players on PC every day, a testament to the game’s quality and the dedication of its fanbase. This enduring popularity, even eight years after its initial release, is largely down to Techland’s unwavering commitment to the game.
Techland’s exceptional and ongoing content support, even after the launch of Dying Light 2, has played a significant role in sustaining the game’s active player community. New expansions, bug fixes, and quality of life improvements have kept the game fresh and engaging, encouraging players to keep returning to its atmospheric, zombie-filled world.
While Dying Light’s cross platform capabilities may be limited (currently cross gen only), its success story offers valuable insights into the power of sustained developer support and the benefits of cross-gen play. As we look to the future, it is hoped that Techland, and indeed other game developers, might further embrace the potential of fully cross-platform gaming, enhancing our ability to share these incredible digital experiences with friends, regardless of our chosen platform.
