Key takeaways
- Dedicated servers vs. peer-to-peer: Moving Out 2 uses online matchmaking and invite-based lobbies rather than a persistent server browser. You invite friends through your platform’s friend list, and the game relays the session. This means all players need to be signed in to their respective platform accounts.
- Subscription requirements: Online play on PlayStation and Xbox requires an active PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core/Ultimate subscription. On Switch, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is needed for online features. PC players on Steam do not need a paid subscription.
- Cross-generation upgrades: The PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions run at higher frame rates and faster load times than their last-gen counterparts, but crossplay still works between generations — a PS5 player can join a PS4 lobby and vice versa.
- Switch performance gap: The Switch version targets a lower resolution and frame rate than PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It remains fully crossplay-compatible, but players sensitive to performance may notice the difference during the faster, more chaotic later levels.
Is Moving Out Cross Platform? The Short Answer
Yes — Moving Out supports cross-platform play, but with an important caveat: crossplay is only available on the newer “Moving Out 2” (2023) release, not the original 2020 game. If you’re asking about the first Moving Out, crossplay is not supported on any platform combination; you can only play online with people on the same system family. Moving Out 2, developed by SMG Studio and published by Team17, added full crossplay across PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Neither game supports cross-save, so your progress stays locked to the platform you played on.
Crossplay Support by Game and Platform
The two games in the series handle online play very differently, so it’s worth separating them before you buy. Here’s the breakdown based on each game’s official patch notes and store listings.
Our top picks
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| Feature | Moving Out (2020) | Moving Out 2 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Crossplay (online multiplayer) | No — same platform family only | Yes — full crossplay |
| Cross-save / cross-progression | No | No |
| Platforms | PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, later PS5/Xbox Series via backward compat | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC |
| Local co-op | Yes — up to 4 players | Yes — up to 4 players |
| Online co-op | Up to 4 players (same platform) | Up to 4 players (any platform) |
| Typical price range | ~$5–$15 | ~$15–$40 |
What “same platform family” means for the original
On the 2020 original, a PlayStation player can play online with another PlayStation player, and an Xbox player with another Xbox player — but a PlayStation user cannot join an Xbox or Switch lobby. This is the single most common source of confusion, because many store pages list “online co-op” without spelling out the limitation. If mixing consoles matters to your group, Moving Out 2 is the version you want.
Cross-save: the feature neither game has
Neither title offers cross-save or cross-progression. That means if you start a save on Switch and later buy the game on PC, your unlocked levels, star ratings, and cosmetic progress do not transfer — you begin fresh. For a party game with short levels this is a minor inconvenience, but it’s worth knowing before you double-dip on a second platform expecting continuity.
Co-op Player Counts per Platform
Player counts are consistent across the series: every version supports up to four players, whether locally or online. The differences are in how the online modes are gated and what hardware you need.
| Platform | Local players | Online players | Crossplay with other systems? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 4 / 5 | Up to 4 | Up to 4 (Moving Out 2) | Yes (Moving Out 2) |
| Xbox One / Series X|S | Up to 4 | Up to 4 (Moving Out 2) | Yes (Moving Out 2) |
| Nintendo Switch | Up to 4 | Up to 4 (Moving Out 2) | Yes (Moving Out 2) |
| PC (Steam) | Up to 4 | Up to 4 (Moving Out 2) | Yes (Moving Out 2) |
One practical note: local co-op requires enough controllers. On Switch, a single pair of Joy-Cons can be split into two players, so a household with two pairs can host a full four-player couch session without buying anything extra. On PlayStation and Xbox you generally need four separate controllers for four players, since split controllers aren’t standard on those systems.
Version Differences That Affect Online Play
Not all copies of Moving Out 2 behave identically online. Several version-specific factors determine whether you can actually connect with friends.
- Dedicated servers vs. peer-to-peer: Moving Out 2 uses online matchmaking and invite-based lobbies rather than a persistent server browser. You invite friends through your platform’s friend list, and the game relays the session. This means all players need to be signed in to their respective platform accounts.
- Subscription requirements: Online play on PlayStation and Xbox requires an active PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core/Ultimate subscription. On Switch, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is needed for online features. PC players on Steam do not need a paid subscription.
- Cross-generation upgrades: The PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions run at higher frame rates and faster load times than their last-gen counterparts, but crossplay still works between generations — a PS5 player can join a PS4 lobby and vice versa.
- Switch performance gap: The Switch version targets a lower resolution and frame rate than PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It remains fully crossplay-compatible, but players sensitive to performance may notice the difference during the faster, more chaotic later levels.
How to Decide Which Version to Buy
The right pick depends entirely on who you’re playing with and on what hardware. Use the matrix below to match your situation to a version.
| Your situation | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Friends are split across PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch | Moving Out 2 | Only version with true crossplay |
| Everyone owns the same console | Either game | Original is cheaper and still plays fine online within one family |
| Couch co-op only, no online | Original Moving Out | Same 4-player local fun at a fraction of the price |
| You want the newest levels and content | Moving Out 2 | More levels, new mechanics, ongoing content |
| You own a Switch and want portability | Either (Switch version) | Both run on Switch; performance is lower but functional |
A concrete cost example
Suppose four friends want to play together online across different consoles. Buying Moving Out 2 on sale at roughly $20 each comes to about $80 total, plus any required online subscriptions (roughly $60/year for PlayStation Plus Essential or Xbox Game Pass Core per person, if they don’t already have one). If instead all four own the same console, the original game at $5–$15 each drops the software cost to roughly $20–$60 for the group — a meaningful saving for what is, in practice, the same core co-op experience.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming the original supports crossplay. It doesn’t — only Moving Out 2 does. Buying the 2020 game expecting to play with a friend on another system will not work.
- Expecting cross-save. Neither game transfers progress between platforms. Plan your main save around the platform you’ll play most.
- Forgetting subscription costs. Console online play is gated behind paid memberships; factor that into the real cost.
- Buying the wrong generation by mistake. On PlayStation and Xbox, make sure you’re buying the version that matches your console, or confirm the cross-generation upgrade path on the store listing before checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the original Moving Out support crossplay?
No. The 2020 original only supports online play between players on the same platform family. A PlayStation player cannot join an Xbox or Switch lobby. If crossplay is essential, you need Moving Out 2 instead.
Can I play Moving Out 2 with friends on different consoles?
Yes. Moving Out 2 supports full crossplay across PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC. You invite friends through your platform’s friend list, and the game handles the connection regardless of which system each player is on.
Does Moving Out have cross-save?
No. Neither the original nor Moving Out 2 offers cross-save or cross-progression. Your unlocked levels, star ratings, and cosmetics stay on the platform where you earned them, so switching systems means starting over.
How many players can play Moving Out online?
Up to four players can join an online session, and up to four can play locally on a single screen. This applies to both games — the difference is only whether those four players can be on different platforms.
Do I need PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass to play online?
Yes, on consoles. Online multiplayer on PlayStation and Xbox requires an active subscription such as PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core/Ultimate. Switch requires Nintendo Switch Online. PC players on Steam do not need a paid subscription for online play.
Is Moving Out 2 worth buying if I already own the original?
It depends on your setup. If your group plays across different consoles, Moving Out 2 is the only way to connect everyone. If you only play couch co-op or everyone owns the same system, the original delivers the same core four-player chaos for significantly less money.



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