Have you ever seen a fantastic game for the Nintendo Switch and wished it was possible to play it on your computer or a gaming console?
So have we, friend. Believe it or not, this dream is already a reality for some games on the market – the aptly called cross-platform games.
In recent years, as the gaming industry grew and took over the world by storm, so did the number of available gaming platforms. Thankfully, with the release of some cross-platform titles, you are less likely to require multiple gaming platforms, instead accessing and playing them on whatever device is your preferred one.
In this article, we will go through what cross-platforms are, the differences between related terms, their advantages and disadvantages, and some of the most popular games with cross-platform support.
Keep reading to learn more!
What are cross-platform games?
Cross-platform games are titles that can be played on multiple gaming platforms or operating systems at the same time. In other words, players can access and play the very same game, but on different gaming environments – mobile phones and other handheld devices, like the Nintendo Switch, dedicated gaming consoles, like the Xbox, and the many operational systems (like Windows, Mac, and Linux’s many so-called “distros”).
In the past, games were often developed for a specific platform or operating system, making it impossible for players to experience the same game on different devices. However, the recent rise of cross-platform game development has made it possible for players to enjoy the same game on multiple platforms, giving them more freedom of choice and flexibility.
Cross-play and cross-platforms: are they any different?
Don’t let their similar wording fool you. Even though they are closely related to each other, they mean slightly different things.
Cross-platform games, for instance, refer to games that are released for multiple gaming platforms. Cross-play games, on the other hand, refer to titles that allow users on different gaming platforms to play together. In other words, you can think of cross-platform gaming being a superset containing cross-play games.
Take Fortnite and Warframe for example – you might be playing on PC and your friend might be a console-only gamer, but it’s still possible for you to party up and blast some enemies down as a group.
That said, for games that are highly competitive and where every frame matters, cross-play could make the game unfair depending on your platform of choice – more on their advantages and disadvantages later in the article.
What about cross-gen games?
Cross-gen is yet another jargon widely used in the gaming industry. Standing for “cross-generation,” the concept refers to games designed to run on different generations of a given gaming console.
For example, a cross-gen game might be developed to work on the state-of-the-art generation of consoles (currently the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X), as well as the previous generation (like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One).
All in all, cross-generation games allow players to experience the latest releases without having to upgrade to the latest generation of gaming consoles, which is especially great for those who are gaming on a tight budget.
Sure, they might have to deal with lower-quality graphics and even some performance hiccups from time to time, but it’s a relatively small price to pay – and the money they save might make a difference at the end of the month.
Advantages of cross-platform games
Designing and developing cross-platform games brings many advantages to the table, some of which include:
- Increased player base and marketing potential: as cross-platform games are released on multiple platforms at the same time, they are guaranteed to reach a wider audience. This, in turn, drives sales and increases revenue significantly;
- Longer game lifespan: cross-platform games usually cherish longer lifespans, as they can continue to attract new players on multiple platforms over time even after the initial hype fades. This likely means more content updates for players as well!
- Better matchmaking and online multiplayer options: in cross-play games, the pool of available players tends to be much greater than their non-cross-play counterparts, increasing the likelihood of the matchmaking system actually creating fair matches;
- Gives freedom to players: cross-platform games allow players to choose the device they’re the most comfortable with. In the case of cross-platform games with cross-play features, they will allow players to connect and play with friends and family who may be using different devices.
Disadvantages of cross-platform games
Even though they boast an impressive swathe of advantages, cross-platform and cross-play games are not the silver bullet, the one solution to rule them all – there are significant disadvantages that developers must consider when considering making a game available on other platforms:
- They require bigger budgets: the technical complexity involved in cross-platform game development will require many experts and a bigger budget to hire them, which could make this an unviable approach for many indie developers;
- Differences in hardware: different gaming platforms run on different hardware, which might make optimization a demanding and time-consuming task. For instance, developers often downscale and reduce the visual quality of the game to accommodate older, weaker gaming platforms;
- Control schemes and user interfaces: as different platforms have different control schemes, they will likely warrant a slightly different user interface for a great user experience. Furthermore, it might make the task of game designers more daunting, as the controls will have to be perfect across all gaming platforms;
- Competitive imbalances: cross-play games with a highly competitive nature, such as Fortnite, might create an unbalanced environment for players. For instance, aiming with a mouse is usually much easier than with a controller, which would give an inherent advantage to those playing on computers – and in such games every millisecond matters;
- Potential platform restrictions: if you’re releasing a game for multiple devices, some platforms might require additional fees or approvals before players can buy the game.
Some of the best cross-platform games
Fortnite
Developed and published by Epic Games, Fortnite is considered the current golden standard for battle royale games, having since become one of the most popular games in the world – according to stat-tracking websites like activeplayer.io, in the last 30 days, the highest concurrent player count was recorded at 15.7 million players.
One of Fortnite’s standout features is its cross-platform and cross-play capabilities. The game is available on a wide variety of platforms (PC, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, you name it), being a key part of its worldwide success.
Furthermore, players can create an account, play on one platform, and then change to another one on a whim without any loss of progress – their progress will be tied to the account they’re using, so there is no pressure to stay committed to a single platform. This is especially great for those who are constantly on the move and would love to blast some Fortnite matches every now and then, but don’t have ready access to a computer or a console.
Minecraft
What for years was an indie game before catching on with young and old gamers alike, Minecraft is still one of the most popular games in the world. It really lives up to the “sandbox” promise, with players being free to do whatever they want in the game.
A normal playthrough? Check. Automating farms using vanilla mechanics? Check. Creating gigantic buildings in creative mode and third-party tools? Check. Mods or plugins in multiplayer servers for a complete shakeup of the game? Check. Recreating computer systems from zero and even implementing some basic programming routines with “redstone”? Check!
Critical to its widespread adoption and its recent rise in popularity were Minecraft’s cross-platform development and cross-play capabilities, which enables players from multiple platforms to connect and play with each other.
However, there’s a slight catch: Minecraft has two different game editions – aptly called Java and Bedrock. The former is available only for Linux, Mac, and Windows PC, whereas the latter will work on all other gaming platforms (along with the Windows PC).
Players will be able to play with each other on the same server so long as their editions and game versions match, though it’s possible to integrate both editions with some plugins.
Warframe
Developed and published by Digital Extremes in 2013, Warframe is one of the most popular third-person looter shooter video games in the market. With around 10 years worth of updates and content, this is a game that can easily consume hundreds (if not thousands) of hours once you’re hooked – and it’s very easy to get lost with the game’s fast-paced action, cooperative gameplay, several in-depth progression systems, and huge content variety.
Once again, Warframe’s cross-platform release is pivotal for its overwhelming success in the genre, with many players finding it more comfortable to mow foes down and cast screen-clearing spells on a console. The game also offers cross-play capabilities, a feature released in December 2022, so players on all available platforms can take on missions together, effectively reducing the matchmaking times and making the community even bigger.
Honorable mentions
There are dozens of cross-platform games, some of which have cross-play functionalities!
- Paladins, Rocket League, Brawlhalla, Chess Ultra, SMITE, and Realm Royale, for example, support PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch;
- Call of Duty: Warzone, on the other hand, only supports PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One;
- Ark: Survival Evolved, and Sea of Thieves only support the Xbox and PC environments;
- Eve: Valkyrie, a game set in EVE Online’s expansive universe, only supports PC and PlayStation 4.
Unlocking Seamless Gaming: The Power of Cross-Platform Play
In today’s gaming landscape, cross-platform play has become a pivotal factor in determining a game’s success. Titles like those available on PS5, PS4, Xbox and PC have seamlessly integrated this feature, allowing players to engage in a truly inclusive multiplayer experience. From epic battles in fighting games to cooperative gameplay in survival scenarios, the options are boundless.
The list of games that support crossplay is ever-expanding, creating a diverse gaming ecosystem where players can connect with friends on different platforms, transcending the boundaries of console and PC. With regular updates and a commitment to accessibility, cross-platform play is redefining how we experience games, ensuring that no matter the platform, everyone can join in the fun.
Closing thoughts
As seen in this article, cross-platform games are becoming increasingly important in the gaming industry, with some of the most popular online multiplayer titles offering cross-platform and even cross-play support. These features provide a more inclusive and accessible gaming experience, enabling players to connect and play with friends across a multitude of platforms.
Indeed, there are tough challenges associated with the design and development of cross-platform games, which include concerns with performance/optimization and compatibility. Still, the many advantages, like a longer game lifespan and a more engaged community, are likely to far outweigh the drawbacks.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve and push the limits of technology even further, we can expect to see more and more game development companies implementing cross-platform capabilities.
If you’re looking to develop a game to be released on multiple platforms and even integrate some cross-play support, keep in mind that the task is much easier said than done. Not only you will need to be well-versed in game design and development, but a solid understanding of your targeted gaming platforms is a must-have. And this is where your expertise can help you out!
At Main Leaf, we’ve been developing games on demand for our clients since 2010. Our roster of over 70 highly qualified professionals is well-versed in all things game development in Unity and Unreal Engine – from game design to programming and creating all the game assets, we can do it all!
What are you waiting for to get started with your upcoming game? All you need to do is reach out by requesting a game quote below!
