Palworld crossplay on a dedicated server
By Benjamin D. · PDG
· 2 min read
Contents
This is the most common question before renting, and the answer is more nuanced than yes or no. On Palworld it depends on which version of the game your players run, not only on their platform.
Two ecosystems, not one
Palworld exists in versions distributed through different channels, and the dedicated server does not speak to all of them the same way. In practice, a standard dedicated server addresses part of the player base, not all of it.
The practical consequence is worth settling before you pay: ask your players where they bought the game, not just which machine they play on.
What works reliably
- A group entirely on the same version joins a dedicated server without trouble, up to thirty-two players.
- Direct connection by address and port works, which lets people join a server that is not in the public list.
- A server password is enough to keep the world private, with no invitation lists to manage.
Where it breaks
- Mixed groups can find themselves blocked not by the server, but by which version of the game some players own.
- The four-player co-op session opened from the game is not a dedicated server: it does not convert into one, and its save does not move across automatically.
- Updates can put platforms out of step. A patched server and players who are not patched yet is a lost evening.
Checking before you commit
The safest method is two questions to your group: which platform, and where did you buy it. The answers tell you immediately whether one dedicated server can hold all of you.
If the answer is no for part of the group, far better to know that before paying for a month than on launch night.
If the group is mixed
Two options, neither perfect: align everyone on the same version, which means some people buying the game twice, or accept two separate worlds. The second is frustrating but honest; the first costs money to people who already paid.
Our Palworld hosting is contract-free, so you can test your group's real configuration over one month before settling in.
