If you’re playing Hunt: Showdown through PC Game Pass and want to team up with a friend on Xbox, you’re probably wondering if it’s possible to invite them and play together. The answer is: yes, but it depends on which version of the game you’re using. Here’s exactly how it works.
Yes, If You’re Using the Microsoft Store Version
Players using the Game Pass version of Hunt: Showdown on PC—downloaded via the Microsoft Store or Xbox app—can play with friends on Xbox consoles. This works because both the PC Game Pass version and the Xbox version are part of the same Microsoft platform, and the game supports cross-play within that system.
However, if you purchased or play Hunt: Showdown through Steam, you cannot cross-play with Xbox players. Steam and Xbox use different matchmaking pools and do not connect.
How Cross-Play Works in Hunt: Showdown?
Cross-play in Hunt: Showdown is platform-restricted:
- Xbox + PC (Microsoft Store / Game Pass): ✅ Cross-play supported
- Steam PC + Xbox: ❌ No cross-play
- Steam PC + Microsoft Store PC: ✅ Can play together (both are PC)
- Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One: ✅ Fully cross-gen compatible
This means that to play with Xbox players, PC users must be using the Microsoft version of the game—not Steam. If you have Xbox Game Pass for PC, you’re already using the correct version.
How to Invite Xbox Friends from PC Game Pass
Here’s how to invite your Xbox friends if you’re playing Hunt: Showdown on PC Game Pass:
- Open the Xbox app or Xbox Game Bar on your PC.
- Add your friend’s Xbox Gamertag to your Xbox friends list.
- Launch Hunt: Showdown from the Xbox app or Microsoft Store.
- Once in the game, go to the party or invite menu.
- Invite your friend directly from the in-game friend list or through the Xbox overlay.
- When they accept, they’ll join your lobby, and you can start matchmaking.
This works the same whether your friend is on Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S.
Limitations and Important Notes
- Steam users cannot cross-play with Xbox, even if they use an Xbox controller or Xbox account.
- Voice chat between PC and Xbox players may not always work perfectly. Use Discord or Xbox voice chat if needed.
- You need to be signed in to an Xbox Live account on your PC to access multiplayer features.
- Your PC must meet the game’s minimum system requirements for smooth performance.
- Progression is not fully cross-platform, so progress made on one platform may not carry over to another.
Conclusion: Game Pass for PC and Xbox Work Together
If you’re using the Game Pass PC version of Hunt: Showdown (downloaded through the Xbox app or Microsoft Store), you can absolutely invite and play with Xbox friends. Just make sure you’re not using the Steam version, which is limited to PC-only matchmaking.
Stick to the Microsoft ecosystem if you want full cross-play functionality with Xbox players. Once you’re connected, you and your friends can hunt together across swamps, dark forests, and eerie compounds—no matter what device you’re using.
Have questions or got it working a different way? Share your experience in the comments.