Killing Floor 3 Crossplay Guide: How It Works, How to Enable It, and the Cross‑Save Reality

A fast, no‑nonsense KF3 crossplay guide: enable it in seconds, squad up across Steam/Epic/PS5/Xbox, and understand the no cross‑progression caveat.

Short version (TL;DR):

• Yes, KF3 has full crossplay between PC (Steam + Epic), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. It’s built into matchmaking and parties.
• How to enable: From the Title Screen → Settings → Gameplay/Matchmaking → Cross‑Platform Play = On. If the toggle is off mid‑session, exit to the title screen to change it.
• How to invite cross‑platform friends: Share your cross‑platform lobby/party code from the Party tab; friends enter it to join you. Platform friend lists also work.
• Cross‑save / cross‑progression at launch: Not supported. Stats/progression don’t transfer between platforms. Plan where you want to main your Specialist(s).
• Console requirements: PS5 online co‑op needs PlayStation Plus; Xbox online co‑op needs Game Pass Core/Standard/Ultimate. PC needs none beyond the game.

Crossplay at a glance

Tripwire built KF3 to matchmake and party across all launch platforms—Steam and Epic Games Store on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S—so your squad can mix and match hardware with no special hoops. The feature is official and supported at launch.

On PC, both Steam and Epic versions participate in the same cross‑platform pool; the Steam store page explicitly lists Cross‑Platform Multiplayer as a feature.

Good to know: Crossplay is primarily about who you can play with; it does not imply your unlocks move with you (more on that below).

Quick steps: Turn crossplay on in 60 seconds

Universal (all platforms)

1. From the Title Screen, open Settings.
2. Go to Gameplay (or Matchmaking section on some UIs).
3. Set Cross‑Platform Play to On.
   • If the option is greyed out while you’re in a lobby/match, back out to the Title Screen and change it there.

You’ll be prompted about crossplay on first launch; you can toggle it later if you change your mind.

Console checklist (must‑do items)

• PS5: Make sure you have PlayStation Plus for online co‑op.
• Xbox Series X|S: Online co‑op requires Game Pass Core/Standard/Ultimate.

Optional: account/privacy odds and ends

If you (or a family‑managed account) can’t join friends, check your platform privacy:

• Xbox: Ensure “You can join cross‑network play” = Allow in Settings → Account → Privacy & online safety. Family settings can block this.

How to squad up with friends across platforms

You’ve got two easy paths:

1) Share a cross‑platform lobby/party code (fastest)

• Open the Party tab from the main menu and generate your code.
• Send that code to your friends on any platform; they enter it in Join by Code to appear in your lobby.

2) Use platform friend lists and recent players

• On the same platform (e.g., Steam‑to‑Steam), you can invite directly from the in‑game Friends list or via platform overlays.
• Cross‑platform still works via the party code even if you aren’t friends on PSN/Xbox/Steam/Epic. (Tripwire’s own community guidance also mentions party codes as the cross‑platform connector.)

Tip: If you can’t find a friend, double‑check that both of you have crossplay On and you’re entering the code exactly as displayed.

The cross‑save / cross‑progression reality (launch status)

Here’s the straight talk: Killing Floor 3 does not support cross‑save or cross‑progression at launch. Tripwire publicly stated “It will not be possible to transfer your stats between platforms.” That means Specialist levels, perks/skills you unlock, and other progression are tied to where you play. If you start a new profile on a second platform, expect to level again there.

Community/guide sites also note “Cross Save is unavailable.” There’s no official timeline for cross‑progression, so pick your main platform carefully.

Practical implication: If your friends are spread across platforms, crossplay lets you play together anywhere—but your account progression doesn’t follow you. Treat a second platform as a fresh climb (for now).

Frequently asked questions

Does the PC store matter (Steam vs Epic)?

No. Both stores participate in the same cross‑platform pool, and the Steam store flags Cross‑Platform Multiplayer explicitly.

Can I disable crossplay?

Yes. Toggle Cross‑Platform Play = Off in Settings → Gameplay/Matchmaking. You may see longer queues if you opt out.

Do I need a subscription for online co‑op?

• PS5: PlayStation Plus required for online play.
• Xbox Series X|S: Game Pass Core/Standard/Ultimate required for online play.
• PC: No subscription required beyond owning the game.

How do I invite my PS5/Xbox friend if I’m on PC?

Use the in‑game lobby/party code from the Party tab—works across all platforms.

Is there a server browser or region setting I should care about?

Matchmaking is automatic. If your group has high ping, re‑host from the region‑appropriate player and regroup via code. (General best practice; the code works regardless of platform.)

Troubleshooting crossplay (quick fixes that actually help)

“The crossplay toggle is greyed out.”
You can’t flip it mid‑lobby. Back to Title Screen → Settings → Gameplay/Matchmaking → Cross‑Platform Play = On.

“We can’t see each other online.”
Run through this checklist:

1. Both players verify Cross‑Platform Play = On.
2. Join by Code instead of platform invites (bypasses friend‑list quirks).
3. On Xbox, confirm “You can join cross‑network play” = Allow (family/child accounts often block this).
4. Ensure you’re on the same game version (patch).
5. Power‑cycle your router/console/PC if NAT hiccups appear (Open/Moderate NATs connect more reliably in any co‑op game).

“Support asked me for a KSIVA number—what is that?”
Tripwire uses a session identifier called KSIVA for troubleshooting. You can hover over the Crossplay setting in the General menu to see it and share it when reporting issues. (A Tripwire community manager posted these steps publicly.)

Step‑by‑step: Forming a cross‑platform party (with screenshots in mind)

1. Enable crossplay: Title Screen → Settings → Gameplay/Matchmaking → Cross‑Platform Play = On.
2. Open the Party tab: From the main menu, go to Party.
3. Generate your code: It appears at the top‑left of the Party screen.
4. Share the code with your friends (Discord/PSN/Xbox messages, etc.).
5. Friends join by code: They open Party → Join by Code, paste it, and boom—you’re together.
6. Backfill with matchmaking if you’re under six players.

Why codes? They’re platform‑agnostic, so Steam ↔ Epic ↔ PS5 ↔ Xbox all line up cleanly.

What crossplay does and doesn’t do for you

Crossplay does

• Matchmake and host lobbies across PC/PS5/Xbox so you can play together without switching storefronts or consoles.
• Accept invites/join codes regardless of platform.

Crossplay doesn’t (at launch)

• Move your progression (Specialist levels/skills/etc.) between platforms. Tripwire: “It will not be possible to transfer your stats between platforms.”
• Act as cross‑save. Guides and in‑game tips reinforce cross‑save is unavailable right now.

A few pro tips for painless cross‑platform nights

• Pick a “home” platform for your grind. With no cross‑progression at launch, you’ll avoid re‑leveling later.
• Have the host be the lowest‑latency player to your group’s region. It smooths out spikes for everyone.
• Use the lobby code by default—it’s the most reliable cross‑platform handshake.
• Console subscriptions sorted? Confirm PS Plus (PS5) or Game Pass Core/Standard/Ultimate (Xbox) before you plan a session.
• If crossplay goes sideways, grab your KSIVA and include it in support tickets—that’s how Tripwire traces weird session bugs.

Final word

Killing Floor 3’s crossplay is true “play with anyone” support across PC (Steam + Epic), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, and it’s simple to turn on: Settings → Cross‑Platform Play = On. Parties by code make mixed‑platform squads easy. Just remember the big caveat at launch: cross‑save / cross‑progression isn’t a thing yet, so your Specialist grind won’t follow you if you hop platforms. Get your squad on the same page up front and you’ll be knee‑deep in zeds (together) in minutes.

Sources & further reading

• Official: Launch press release confirms full crossplay across all platforms.
• Store pages: Steam lists Cross‑Platform Multiplayer; PS Store and Xbox Store list online subscription requirements.
• How‑to and party code: Destructoid’s friend‑play guide; Game8’s “Enable Crossplay” guide (toggle + join‑by‑code + “return to Title Screen” note).
• No cross‑progression at launch: Tripwire’s public FAQ post noting no stat transfers; GamingBolt overview reiterating no confirmed cross‑progression.
• Platform privacy: Xbox cross‑network play settings help article (useful if invites fail).

Happy hunting.