Ace Combat 8 crossplay: PC, PS5 and Xbox multiplayer

Which players can play together?

The publisher’s FAQ confirms cross-platform Online play. The Online overview lists PS5, PC and Xbox Series X|S as the game’s platforms. The current Steam feature list also explicitly includes Cross-Platform Multiplayer.

Check that everyone owns AC8 on one of those platforms and is opening Ace Combat Online. PS4, Xbox One and Switch are not additions to this supported-platform list. See platform availability for the broader purchase question.

Choose the mode your group actually wants

For fighting NPC enemies, start with Co-Op Assault. It uses two teams of four competing on score while fighting enemies. Co-Op Warfare includes direct opposition from the other player team as well as NPC units. Neither label means the numbered Campaign missions become cooperative.

The official overview describes temporary parties and permanent units formed at the Air Base. Use the current in-game party or unit interface to assemble the group before requesting a sortie. The checked sources do not establish a universal platform-specific invite sequence, so this page does not invent menu labels. Compare the mission formats in the co-op mode guide.

Separate connection and progress questions

• Can your friend join Online? That is the crossplay question answered above.
• Where did your campaign aircraft go? Online has separate progression; use the carryover guide.
• Can you move a save between Steam and console? The crossplay statement does not confirm cross-save. Do not buy another copy on that assumption.
• Did a connection fail? Keep the exact platform, code and invite state. The official ST-3100001 time-sync advice is for that matching Windows error, not a general crossplay repair.

A successful check is your group entering the intended Online sortie together. A missing aircraft, expired special mission or save-transfer question has a different prerequisite.