Does Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel Support Crossplay in 2025? Multi-Platform Co-Op Gaming Guide

Borderlands Pre Sequel Crossplay: Multi-Platform Co-Op Gaming Guide

Since its 2014 release, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel has maintained a dedicated fanbase drawn to its chaotic lunar combat and signature loot-driven gameplay. With Gearbox Software continuing to expand the franchise through new titles like Borderlands 4 and remastered editions, players are increasingly asking whether older entries like The Pre-Sequel will receive modern quality-of-life updates – particularly crossplay functionality across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms in 2025.

Current Crossplay Status (2023-2024 Baseline)

As of July 2024, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel does not natively support cross-platform play. Cooperative multiplayer remains restricted to players using the same platform family (e.g., PS4/PS5 users can team up, but not with Xbox or PC players). This aligns with Gearbox’s historical approach – only Borderlands 3 received full crossplay implementation in September 2021 after significant player demand.

Gearbox’s official FAQ confirms there are no active development plans to retrofit crossplay into older titles. However, community modders have created third-party workarounds like the Crossplay Overhaul Mod (last updated May 2024), which enables limited PC-to-console matchmaking through custom server configurations. While functional for technical users, these solutions lack official support and may violate some platforms’ terms of service.

Will Crossplay Come to The Pre-Sequel in 2025?

Industry analysts consider crossplay implementation in 2025 unlikely but not impossible, depending on three key factors:

  1. Player Demand Metrics: SteamDB data shows consistent ~2,500 daily players across all platforms – a modest but stable community. Crossplay adoption typically requires at least 10k+ active users to justify development costs (Digital Foundry, 2023).

  2. Technical Feasibility: The game’s aging Unreal Engine 3 infrastructure complicates modern cross-platform integration. Porting lead developer Jonathan Ring told Game Developer Magazine in 2022 that retrofitting netcode for UE3 titles requires “6-9 months of dedicated engineering work.”

  3. Corporate Priorities: Take-Two Interactive’s Q4 earnings report allocated 78% of Gearbox’s resources to new IP development through 2025, leaving limited bandwidth for legacy title updates.

Multi-Platform Co-Op Alternatives for 2025 Players

While native crossplay remains doubtful, these verified methods enable cooperative play across different hardware:

  • Split-Screen Local Play: Connect multiple controllers to a single console/PC (supports up to 4 players)
  • Parsec Cloud Gaming: Stream a host PC’s game session to friends on any device (tested latency: <80ms)
  • Cross-Progression via SHiFT: Transfer saves between platforms using Gearbox’s SHiFT service (requires separate game purchases)

Verdict: How to Prepare for Potential Updates

Though official crossplay seems improbable for The Pre-Sequel, franchise historian Paul Tassi notes in his Forbes column that Gearbox occasionally surprises fans with legacy updates preceding new releases. To stay informed:

  1. Bookmark Gearbox’s official Borderlands News Hub
  2. Monitor SHiFT code distributions for potential crossplay test phases
  3. Join verified Discord communities like Sanctuary (280k+ members) for real-time updates

Players craving guaranteed cross-platform action should consider Borderlands 3 or the upcoming Borderlands 4, both confirmed to support full crossplay at launch. For those committed to The Pre-Sequel’s unique low-gravity combat, local co-op and third-party streaming solutions remain your most reliable options through 2025.

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