Last updated: August 2026
Crossplay Guide
Tears of Metal Crossplay between Steam and Microsoft Store / PC Game Pass: launch hotfix history, temporary disable through patch 0.10.57598, and how to use the Steam Crossplay beta branch.
Current Status — Default Branch 0.10.57598
Tears of Metal supports Steam ↔ Microsoft Store (PC Game Pass) Crossplay in Early Access. An early launch hotfix restored Crossplay when lobbies failed, and GameRant coverage confirmed Game Pass players can party with Steam friends when versions match. Patch 0.8.57278 temporarily disabled Crossplay on the default Steam branch; that disable persists through current hotfix 0.10.57598 while Paper Cult balances multiplayer stability.
Official patch text: use the Steam "Crossplay" beta branch to stay on the older patch if you need mixed-storefront parties right now. Default-branch players on 0.10.57598 cannot reliably join Game Pass hosts until Paper Cult re-enables Crossplay on the live version.
Always compare client versions in Settings → About. Version mismatches block lobbies more often than server outages during Early Access.
Tears of Metal — Open Beta Trailer
How to Opt Into the Crossplay Beta Branch (Steam)
In the Steam library, right-click Tears of Metal → Properties → Betas → select the branch named Crossplay (exact label may show as "crossplay"). Let Steam download the older compatible build, restart the client, then invite Game Pass friends as usual.
Tradeoffs: you miss balance and bug fixes from 0.9 and 0.10 (save recovery, Castle Records, Harold fix, Drift Correction fix) until Crossplay returns to the default branch. Coordinate as a squad — everyone who needs cross-store play should be on the same branch strategy.
Microsoft Store / Game Pass players cannot join a Steam beta branch; they stay on the Microsoft Store build. If default Crossplay stays disabled, Steam friends must opt into the beta while Game Pass friends remain on their store client that still matches that older protocol.
- Steam → Properties → Betas → Crossplay
- Confirm version string matches your lobby friends
- Expect fewer 0.9/0.10 balance fixes while on beta
- Switch back to None / default when Paper Cult re-enables Crossplay
Lobby Tips While Crossplay Is Fragile
Host on the most stable wired connection — Paper Cult listed host-distance desync as a top priority after launch week. Prefer same-storefront squads for Act 3 pushes until desync work lands. Disable VPNs and conflicting overlays that reset Combo Visualizer or lobby state.
See Co-op overview and Co-op Multiplayer for roles. Patch history: Latest Patch Notes.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crossplay permanently removed?
No. Paper Cult temporarily disabled it on the default branch starting with 0.8.57278; the disable persists through 0.10.57598. Expect re-enablement after multiplayer stability work.
Can Xbox console play with PC yet?
Xbox Series X|S is planned later in 2026. Current Crossplay discussion is Steam ↔ PC Game Pass / Microsoft Store only.
Do I need the beta if my whole squad is on Steam?
No. Same-storefront Steam lobbies use the default 0.10.57598 branch. The beta is for mixed Steam + Game Pass parties.