These days, it feels like everyone plays games on something different – maybe a powerful computer, a console like PlayStation or Xbox under the TV, or even a Nintendo Switch on the go.
In other words, it’s become really common for game makers to release their games on more than one system. And it’s for a good reason: it allows developers to reach a much wider audience of potential fans.
In this article, we’re going to explain exactly what multi-platform games are, how they are made differently than your usual game, and check out 8 well-known examples. Let’s get right into it!
Read also: Adaptive game UX design – evolution and dynamics
What multi-platform games really are
In short, multi-platform games are video games that are released and available to play on two or more different gaming systems. This includes putting games out on things like PCs (running Windows or macOS), various consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch), and sometimes even mobile phones and tablets (iOS, Android).
The main idea is availability – the game is on multiple platforms, so you can buy it and play it on whichever compatible device you own or prefer. If you own a PC and an Xbox, and a game is multi-platform on both, you get to choose where you play it.
Now, it’s super important not to mix this up with cross-platform play, which is also often called cross-play. Multi-platform is about where the game exists (you can find and run the game program on different hardware). Cross-platform play, however, is about multiplayer interaction (more specifically, whether players on different platforms can connect and play together in the same online game session).
A game can be multi-platform (e.g. available on PC and PlayStation) but not have cross-platform play (e.g. PC players can only play with other PC players, and PlayStation players only with other PlayStation players). Or it can be both!
Many games that are multi-platform also offer cross-play these days, but the terms mean different things. To reiterate, the multi-platform game label just means it’s available for multiple platforms, giving players more options for purchasing and playing on their platform of choice.
How developing multi-platform games differs from traditional games
Surprising no one, making a game available on multiple platforms is tougher than making it for a specific system. Developers face extra challenges because every device is a little different and has its own specific requirements.
Think about the different hardware: a high-end gaming PC is much more powerful than a Nintendo Switch, for example.
Developers have to work hard to make sure the game runs smoothly and looks good on each platform, which often means optimizing the game differently for less powerful systems while still taking advantage of more powerful ones.
This involves adjusting graphics settings, managing how much memory the game uses, and ensuring stable performance.
Then, there are the different controls. Designing a game that feels good whether you’re using a mouse and keyboard, a specific console controller (like a PlayStation DualSense or an Xbox controller), or even just touching a screen (if it’s also on mobile) requires careful thought and different control schemes for each.
Also, each platform (like PlayStation, Xbox, Steam on PC, the App Store on iOS) has its own software, rules, and approval process. Developers have to build the game to work within each system’s requirements, deal with different updates, get it certified by the platform holder before it can be released or updated, and so on.
To help manage this, developers often use powerful game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, which are designed from the start to support building games for multiple platforms from a single codebase.
While these tools make things much easier than building everything from scratch for each system, developers still need to do specific work, testing, and optimization for every single platform.
This means more time and resources are needed compared to making a game for just one device. And, of course, rigorous testing on every single platform the game is released on is critical to catch any unique bugs or performance issues specific to that system and ensure every player gets a good experience.
Examples of popular multi-platform games
Thanks to developers putting in the extra work and publishers seeing the value, many of the games people play and talk about the most today are released on lots of different systems. Here are eight examples of popular games that are multi-platform and available across various systems:
Warframe
This is a fast, free-to-play action role-playing game where you play as a space ninja, doing cool flips and shooting aliens in cooperative missions. Known for its fluid movement and generous free-to-play model, it’s a popular choice for players looking for action on multiple systems.
You can find it on PC, PlayStation consoles (PS4, PS5), Xbox consoles (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S), and Nintendo Switch.
Fortnite
A giant in the free-to-play world mostly known for its battle royale mode where 100 players fight to be the last one standing.
Nowadays, it’s an interesting social hub and platform for virtual events. It’s available on pretty much everything: PC, PlayStation consoles, Xbox consoles, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.
Apex Legends
Another very popular free-to-play battle royale game, this one focuses on team-based play with unique characters called “Legends” who have special abilities, emphasizing strategy and teamwork. It has a fast-paced gameplay loop and a focus on gunplay.
You can play it on PC, PlayStation consoles, Xbox consoles, and Nintendo Switch, and mobile (Apex Legends Mobile was available but has since been shut down, but the main game remains multi-platform).
Minecraft
The famous sandbox game where you can break and place blocks to build anything you imagine, survive in a blocky world, explore endless landscapes, and craft tools. Its creative freedom and accessibility have made it a global phenomenon available on nearly every modern gaming platform imaginable, including PC, consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Switch), and mobile devices.
Cyberpunk 2077
A massive, ambitious action RPG set in a detailed futuristic city, Night City, based on the Cyberpunk tabletop game. You play as a character navigating a world filled with choices, combat, exploration, and neon lights.
After its initial launch, it has been significantly updated and expanded. It’s available for players on PC, PlayStation consoles (PS4, PS5), and Xbox consoles (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S).
Elden Ring
This critically acclaimed action RPG is developed by FromSoftware and George R.R. Martin, known for its challenging combat, mysterious story, and enormous open world filled with secrets and difficult enemies.
Players can experience this tough but rewarding journey on PC, PlayStation consoles (PS4, PS5), and Xbox consoles (Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S).
Call of Duty (latest installments)
This is an extremely popular, long-running series of first-person shooter games famous for both their cinematic story campaigns and highly competitive online multiplayer modes. The recent games in the series are typically released simultaneously on PC, PlayStation consoles, and Xbox consoles, maintaining a large player base across all systems.
Grand Theft Auto V
A massively successful action-adventure game with an expansive open-world city, a story mode following three different characters, and a huge online component called GTA Online.
Its popularity has kept it relevant across multiple console generations, and it’s available on PC, PlayStation consoles (PS3, PS4, PS5), and Xbox consoles (Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S).
Multi-platform games are the future…
In conclusion, multi-platform games are titles released on two or more different systems, offering players the flexibility to choose where they want to play and giving developers a wider audience.
While bringing a game to multiple devices adds complexity for developers due to different hardware, controls, and system requirements, using powerful multi-platform engines and doing lots of thorough testing helps make it possible to deliver a good experience everywhere.
This trend is clearly here to stay, benefiting players with more options and developers/publishers with greater reach.
Got a game idea you’re itching to bring to players on multiple platforms? Building a game for different systems, ensuring it runs great everywhere, needs specialized expertise.
At Main Leaf, we can help creators develop and release high-quality games across all common platforms. We also offer skilled outsourcing services for any part of your game development needs, ensuring your project meets the standards required for success. Let us help you bring your vision to players everywhere!
