Big Walk Crossplay Guide: How to Play With Friends on All Platforms

Are you ready to embark on a massive cooperative adventure with your friends in House House's latest title? Understanding how Big Walk crossplay works is essential for bringing your group together across different platforms. Released on August 4, 2026, this unique multiplayer game relies heavily on communication and teamwork. To get the most out of your journey, you need to know how to connect with your group using the Big Walk crossplay features and join codes.

Supported Platforms and Multiplayer Structure

Before diving into the cooperative gameplay, players must understand where the game is available. The game is playable on a select group of modern platforms, ensuring that groups can connect across consoles and computers.

The game is available on the following systems:

• Windows (via Steam)
• Mac (via Steam and the Mac App Store)
• PlayStation 5
• Nintendo Switch 2

No other platforms are planned at this time. The game is designed purely around cooperative multiplayer, meaning there is no single-player mode. While you can technically start a game and walk around by yourself, you will not get very far because the puzzles and challenges require teamwork. Furthermore, there is no online matchmaking. The developers designed the game to be played with people you know, or people you want to get to know better, over multiple sessions.

How to Connect: Friends Lists vs. Join Codes

Connecting with other players in the game is straightforward, but the exact method depends on whether you are playing on the same platform or utilizing the Big Walk crossplay system.

If your friends are on the same platform and service as you (for example, both of you are playing on Steam or both on PlayStation 5), the host's active game will automatically appear in your in-game menu under the active friend games list.

However, if you are playing on different platforms, or if you are playing the Mac App Store version which does not support the friends list menu, you must use a Join Code. A Join Code is a short, unique code generated every time a host starts a session. The host can find this code in the corner of the host menu before starting, or by opening the in-game menu and navigating to "Session Details." Sharing this code with your friends allows them to join your session, enabling Big Walk crossplay without restriction.

Session Setup and World Scaling

Hosting is a central mechanic in this cooperative adventure. The host acts as the keeper of the save game and all group progress. The host must start playing first to open the session, and when the host stops the session, all other players are disconnected. To continue your journey later, the same host must load the save file and host again.

When initiating a Big Walk crossplay session, the host must choose a world version based on the group size. The game supports 2 to 12 players, and the world physically adapts to the number of participants selected at the start of the session.

The developers recommend choosing a world setting that reflects the minimum number of players who will be participating. If some players cannot stay for the entire session, it is best to select a lower player-count world to ensure the puzzles remain solvable for those who stay.

In-Game Communication and Proximity Chat Rules

Communication is the core gameplay mechanic. The game features built-in voice chat and text chat, both of which are subject to realistic, in-game physical limitations.

For instance, your voice and text chat will fade out and become unreadable if you wander too far away from other players. Obstacles like soundproof glass will block communication entirely, while in-game items like walkie-talkies can be used to communicate across long distances.

Because these communication barriers are part of the puzzle design, the developers strongly discourage using external programs (like Discord) or playing in the same physical room. Doing so bypasses the game's unique challenges, which can make the experience feel trivial or boring.

Accessibility and Motion Sickness Settings

To make the journey comfortable for everyone, the game includes several accessibility and graphics settings. Players who experience motion sickness in first-person games can adjust their Field of View (FOV) in the graphics menu or enable "Motion Reduction Overlays" in the general settings to help them feel more grounded.

Additionally, the host can enable "Challenge Skipping" from the accessibility menu when starting a session. This allows players to bypass specific challenges that require fine motor skills, rapid reaction times, or specific hearing and speaking abilities.

Troubleshooting Connection and Audio Issues

If you encounter issues while trying to play, several troubleshooting steps can help smooth out your Big Walk crossplay experience.

Connection Problems

If a friend's game does not appear in your list, ensure you have added them on your platform's service (Steam, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch Online). Remember that the Mac App Store version will not display a friends list, so you must use a Join Code.

If you cannot connect to a friend's game:

1. Confirm the host has fully loaded their character into the world before you attempt to join.
2. Check that the host does not have connection warnings in the bottom-left corner of their screen.
3. Verify your internet connection.
4. Restart the game client on both the host and client devices.
5. Ensure all players are running compatible versions. The first two numbers of the version code (e.g., 1.2.x) must match.

Voice Chat and Audio Issues

If other players cannot hear you, check the "Microphone Activity" meter in the audio settings. Ensure your microphone is selected, plugged in, and not muted on the device itself. If your Mute Mode is set to "Hold," you must hold the designated button to speak.

There is a community-reported issue where friends' voices sound too quiet even when standing close by. The developers have acknowledged this in their official documentation and are working on a fix. If you experience voice echoing, it is usually caused by a feedback loop from someone using speakers instead of headphones.

Performance and Controller Optimization

If your game is lagging or characters are moving erratically, it is likely a network bandwidth issue. Try connecting via ethernet, moving closer to your router, or closing background applications. If the host is experiencing low frame rates, it can cause network lag for all connected players. Hosts should lower their graphics quality settings to stabilize the session.

Mac players using Xbox wireless controllers via Steam may experience compatibility issues. Community reports suggest connecting via Bluetooth rather than USB-C, enabling Steam Input, and adding Steam to the macOS Accessibility and Input Monitoring permission lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Big Walk crossplay require a specific setup?

No special setup is required. The inclusion of Join Codes makes Big Walk crossplay straightforward, allowing players on Windows, Mac, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2 to connect seamlessly without needing to be on the same platform's friends list.

Can I play the game by myself?

No, the game does not have a single-player mode. It is entirely designed around cooperative puzzles and communication. While you can load into a session alone, you will not be able to progress past the early stages of the game.

What happens if we use Discord instead of the in-game voice chat?

While the game will not punish you or stop running, using external voice chat bypasses the proximity-based communication puzzles. This can make the game feel boring or nonsensical, as many challenges rely on players being separated or unable to hear each other.

How do I find my Join Code to invite friends?

The host can find the unique Join Code in the corner of the host menu before launching the game. If the session has already started, the host can find it by opening the in-game menu and selecting "Session Details."

Sources

• Frequently Asked Questions - Big Walk by House House