Microsoft announced that it will run a ranked crossplay test for Killer Instinct on PC and Xbox later this week. This is one of the many new features that comes with the Killer Instinct: Anniversary Edition.
The crossplay test will start on February 9 at noon PST and end on February 12 at 8AM PST. However, there are a few aspects to consider. Ranked leaderboards between Xbox and Windows on PC versions will be separate from the Steam ones. The developer said that it is a necessary compromise to allow ranked crossplay between those platforms.
During the playtest period, the option to block cross-network play will be bypassed only in Ranked Crossplay. PC players on both Windows and Steam also require players to pass a performance test that checks if Killer Instinct runs at 60 fps before, so Xbox fans won’t have to worry about their opponent’s performance.
Microsoft also emphasizes that this ranked crossplay test will determine whether the feature will be permanently added to a future update in the game.
Killer Instinct received its 10th anniversary update last year, which made the base game free. The anniversary update is $30 and it includes all 29 playable fighters and all premium content ever released.
In IGN’s Killer Instinct review, we said, “Though the roster limits the possibilities a bit, Killer Instinct makes a triumphant return with smart, fluid fighting.”
George Yang is a freelance writer for IGN. He’s been writing about the industry since 2019 and has worked with other publications such as Insider, Kotaku, NPR, and Variety.
When not writing about video games, George is playing video games. What a surprise! You can follow him on Twitter @Yinyangfooey
