Respawn will temporarily make cross-play the default matchmaking option for Apex Legends players on US-West servers. The test begins October 7 at about 10 a.m. PT and is scheduled to continue until the current season ends on November 3.
A regional test, not a permanent global change
The official update limits the change to the US-West server group. Players in other regions are not included in this test, and Respawn has not announced a permanent switch for the wider game.
Within the test region, the default pool will include players across all supported consoles. Console players who do not want to join cross-platform lobbies can still disable cross-play in the settings menu. Respawn describes the test as an attempt to shorten queue times while keeping matchmaking skill bands tighter.
Those two goals can compete with each other when the available player pool is small. A broader pool gives the matchmaker more players to choose from, which may help it assemble a lobby without widening the skill range as quickly. Respawn has not promised a particular reduction in waiting time or a measurable change in match quality, so the test should be read as a data-gathering period rather than a guaranteed improvement.
What players should expect on October 7
US-West console players should check their cross-play setting before the test starts if they have a strong preference. Leaving the option enabled means entering the combined pool by default. Turning it off keeps the player out of that test pool, although the official notice does not estimate what that choice may do to queue times.
The update does not say that input methods will be merged without restriction, nor does it describe any ranking or scoring changes. Its stated scope is matchmaking availability: default cross-play, one server region, a fixed test window, and an opt-out for console players.
Two fixes arrive with the matchmaking notice
Respawn’s October 6 update also lists two bug fixes. Missing floor geometry in the Terraformer area of Broken Moon has been repaired, preventing players from clipping into the ground there. The studio also fixed Gibraltar’s skydive-emote audio continuing after he landed.
Neither fix changes the test schedule. Unless Respawn revises the plan, default cross-play begins on US-West servers on October 7 and runs through November 3.
Sources
- Reporting source: GamerHeadlines
- Primary source: Respawn’s official Apex Legends update on Steam
