EA and DICE have explained that Battlefield 2042's online multiplayer cross-play will exclusively include consoles of the same generation.
This means that Xbox One and PS4 players will be able to join games together but won't be able to play with PS5 and Xbox Series S/X players and vice-versa.
EA revealed in a blog post that PC and console players will retain the choice to opt-out of cross-play.
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They said: "We are still building cross-play functionality, and the first opportunity for us to test it with a wider, invite-only group will be within the Technical Playtest. Right now, we’d like to give you an understanding of what we’re looking to achieve as final functionality beyond the Technical Playtest..."
Cross-play functionality will be tested with the Technical Playlist in summer this year.
A few thousand participants will be chosen by EA to test new features and functionality that EA claims is being built "from the ground up."
Players involved in the Technical Playlist shouldn't expect to receive the full Battlefield 2042 experience, however.
"Do keep in mind that the Technical Playtest is purposefully not intended to be the full experience you will see in the Open Beta, or at launch," EA said.
"It is a development-led environment with only a subset of features, focused on technical performance."
EA also confirmed that cross-progression will be implemented into Battlefield 2042 so players' progress will be shared between different console platforms.
Details on how cross-progression will be implemented have not been released yet, whether this will be done with an EA or Battlefield account that can be used on different consoles or by other means is yet to be seen.
EA also revealed more details on the controversial use of AI-operated soldiers to fill large-scale online matches.
AI soldiers will be used in multiplayer, co-op, and solo matches.
It's now been verified that players won't have a choice to opt-out of having AI soldiers in their matches as their main purpose will be to fill servers, however, real players will always have a priority in matchmaking.
EA said: "AI Soldiers are intended to play the game like how you would play it yourself. However, they are not designed to be Specialists and cannot use Traits and Specialties.
"You will see them undergoing certain tasks such as using the vehicle call-in system and engaging with vehicles, or capturing objectives.
"Whilst they can’t use the Wingsuit, they do have the intelligence to decide between engaging with you via enemy fire, flanking, throwing grenades or even reviving a downed squad mate."
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