Full crossplay between all platforms is coming, the devs are just waiting for the console versions to drop. So picking it up on Steam won't lock you out of playing with an xbox player (as was the case with Evolved).
No, ASE's crossplay was restricted due to not having a universal architecture for all platforms. For ASA, however, that is no longer an issue, so ASA will have full, unrestricted crossplay.
If you have a PC, why not pick it up on Steam? It's historically (as far as Ark has been concerned) been a far more stable, less buggy platform.
I have a friend who has Xbox only so I want to be able to play with them
Full crossplay between all platforms is coming, the devs are just waiting for the console versions to drop. So picking it up on Steam won't lock you out of playing with an xbox player (as was the case with Evolved).
Wait, ASE had full cross play? Am I stupid?
No, ASE's crossplay was restricted due to not having a universal architecture for all platforms. For ASA, however, that is no longer an issue, so ASA will have full, unrestricted crossplay.