Microsoft Updates PlayFab for Unreal Engine with v3.1.3, Adding UE 5.8 Support

Microsoft has released PlayFab for Unreal Engine v3.1.3, bringing support for Unreal Engine 5.8 and new multiplayer session management features for developers building games across console and cloud platforms.

The update expands PlayFab's production-ready platform coverage to Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Steam Deck, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. PlayStation support arrived in v3.1.0 earlier this year, followed by Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 in v3.1.2. Version 3.1.3 builds on this wider platform support with changes to multiplayer systems developers can use across those devices.

PlayFab for Unreal Engine connects Unreal Engine's Online Subsystem to PlayFab, allowing studios to handle accounts, lobbies, matchmaking, voice, leaderboards, and other online systems while working with Unreal Engine code across supported Xbox, PC, Steam Deck, PlayStation, and Nintendo platforms. Microsoft lists Xbox Cloud Gaming alongside Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S in its Xbox support lineup, meaning developers can use the same PlayFab integration across Xbox consoles and Xbox Cloud Gaming.

The v3.1.3 release introduces support for multiple named sessions running simultaneously. A group can remain together in a persistent social session while a separate gameplay session handles the match. Previously, joining a match meant tearing down the existing session and rebuilding it afterwards. Each named session can have its own PlayFab Party network for game data and voice chat. Only one session can have voice enabled at a time, with developers controlling which session uses it. This approach lets party chat remain active while a separate match session runs.

Dedicated servers can now create and own PlayFab lobbies using a server identity without requiring a signed-in console or PC account. Developers can also decide which Unreal session settings are searchable through PlayFab Lobby, including game mode, playlist, skill tier, and map.

PlayFab for Unreal Engine v3.1.3 now builds and ships against Unreal Engine 5.8 using GDK 2604 Update 2. Microsoft has implemented several Xbox workflow improvements, including friend lobby searches through GDK, console-shell game invites that activate correctly, and the ability to test supported flows through a single Play-in-Editor instance in Unreal Engine 5.8 instead of packaging a build for each test. Authentication retries, matchmaking lobby creation, Game Save behaviour, Party networking, voice, and general stability have also been updated.

Developers moving to v3.1.3 need to account for breaking changes around voice, Game Save callbacks, login status, entity handles, and Party calls. Microsoft notes that the public v3.1.3 GitHub release has been validated for Xbox on PC, Steam, and Xbox Series X|S. Teams working on other NDA-protected platforms need to confirm access and version compatibility through PlayFab support.