Why can't PS5/Series X/S join in PS4/Xbox servers?

@WindowsManTv_CZE  Might want to read my post.

@1Hairy-GorillaHe did and has answered you.

Although very similar in appearance, there will be significant software differences between the two versions that would make them incompatanle with each other.

As to your coldwar example and assuming it is the same as PS, many old gen games are playable on both and some do get an optimisation upgrade for new gen that doesn't affect cross gen play. Wreckers is another example.

Just checked and coldwar also has a cross gen bundle so I suspect it is similar to BF2042 in that respect.

@Trokey66  Which is why I made coldwar the example its got the next gen tax version and old and it doesn't matter which you buy. The game can't be that different when they're going to share progression and get the same content releases. I own last gen Coldwar on Series X and play with any version of that game, there isn't an artificial block that prevents playing with next gen or last.

And no He didn't answer why Next gen can't play with old gen he just copy and pasted about crossgen that we all know... Question was WHY can't the next gen play with old gen on 64 player servers without needing another key? 

@Trokey66  Not sure if its me. CoD next gen or last game is the SAME game other than pretty graphics there is nothing stopping either player from playing against each other.

Anyways Bf2042 is not the same in this regard, and would like to know why next gen needs two keys instead of being able to hop onto 64 player modes with last gen?

You mind linking where it says that on Amazon?

"The game’s debut follows the recent release of Microsoft’s next-gen consoles which have several new upgrades.

They come with an enhanced frame rate, ray-tracing and quicker loading speeds." Thats all the next gen coldwar gets you not splitting the playerbase :P

Just to be crystal clear Not sure why PS5 isn't list but its the same for that platform aswell.

"Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War will also support cross-play with PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC and Xbox Series X users"  

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@1Hairy-Gorilla wrote:

Other than greed (needing to buy two copies or gold version) I get why the PS4/Xbox One's can't join PS5/Series X/S servers, hardware reasons. I don't get why the next gen can't step down and join in the 64 player maps though. The game is the same, same engine same backbone same server structure using the same XBL/PSN services, same maps just cut down.

I really can't see a reason why it shouldn't be possible to drop down sure it would mean adding an extra menu to the server browser if there is one :P

Example here two versions of Coldwar I bought the cheaper last gen on my series X but could still play vs everyone.

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Hi,

the answer is that Battlefield 2042 (Old Gen) and Battlefield 2042 (Current Gen) are 2 different versions like Battlefield 4 for PS3 and PS4 in the past.

They are different in "mapsize" and playercount or in short they are downgraded.

Besides of that from a technical point of view, they will also probably different coded even when they are using the same engine.

On cold war however, you are not buying 2 different versions at all, yes they are also probably different coded but besides of that they are not so different in maps or player count.