Fallout 76 has gotten much better since the Wastelanders update came out in 2020. That update added characters you can talk to and whole new stories to the game, which used to feel pretty empty. Now, it’s more like a full online role-playing game with a dedicated group of fans, even if not everyone loves the idea of it. But why can’t players on different systems play together?

This is something players have asked about a lot over the years. You’d think the game makers would be tired of saying “no,” but there’s a chance things could change down the road. Just don’t hold your breath waiting for it to happen soon.

Back in late 2025, during a chat with reporters, the idea of crossplay was basically shut down, with developers saying it was a “huge technical hurdle” to figure out almost eight years after the game first came out. However, there’s a new glimmer of hope. In a recent interview, creative director Jon Rush and production director Bill LaCoste shared a more positive update.

Rush mentioned, “We are looking into it, and we have plans to try to figure out what that work will involve for us… It’s just not something we’re planning for right away. We know players want it.” It sounds like Bethesda is just exploring possibilities because the fans keep asking, but they haven’t completely closed the door on the idea.

LaCoste brought up the “technical hurdles” again, explaining that going back to the game’s original design after years of changes and trying to make it work for everyone online without messing things up is tough. He said, “So going back and fixing it to do that, when you have different places that players are pointing into, and now you’re having to worry about things like what players have bought and their in-game money.” If you’ve played games for a while, you know that the game’s engine itself can be a bit shaky and prone to crashing, adding another layer of difficulty.

While it seems like playing together across different systems is still a far-off dream, this shows how dedicated players can make a difference. Just a few years ago, we thought Fallout 76 would never get an update for the newer PlayStation and Xbox consoles. But now, those updates are coming out later this year. So, it’s never too late to make things better if there’s enough interest and it makes financial sense.

Either way, the game seems to be doing well. Fallout Season 2 has made many people, including us, excited about the future of the Fallout series. Bethesda is also happily adding new cosmetic items for power armor that cost $30 to a game that many people thought was on its way out years ago.