Nowadays, game developers face a huge challenge to build equally good video games and provide high-quality games across every platform, such as PCs, mobile devices, or consoles.
Hence, now it is not a luxury but a necessity for developers to create cross-platform games that cater to everyone similarly, irrespective of the environment and devices.
The process of transformation may be challenging for the developers, but it provides an avenue to reach out to new audiences like never before.
As with every new beginning, the beginning of cross-platform games is already full of complexity. Developers have to deal with unique hurdles, from optimising the game for different devices to meeting everyone’s expectations, which is not easy.
4 Benefits of Cross-Platform Games:
Cross-platform games introduce new possibilities and opportunities in the gaming industry. It is not different from traditional gaming but an upgraded version of it.
More Reach:
By developing the same game for multiple platforms, companies can engage more people in games irrespective of their devices.
Such diversity not only results in more exposure but also more downloads, more user retention, and more revenue, as gamers can access the games from any device.
Streamline The Development Process:
Creating a single game for multiple devices is comparatively easier than creating a video game for each device from scratch.
Video game developers can reduce their time and efforts by maintaining a single codebase for different devices using platform-agnostic technologies like Unity or Unreal Engine.
Such facilities allow developers to release the latest updates simultaneously across all platforms without any delays. So, users across various devices can enjoy a similar experience at the same time.
Budget Friendly:
As developers use a single codebase for every device, the cost of the video games reduces to a great extent, and it becomes budget-friendly for users and creators.
Hence, the companies, instead of investing in separate game development projects for every platform, can allocate the funds to a unified project that minimizes the expenditure.
Focusing on a single project not only saves time and money but also guarantees better products and experience.
Enrich User Experience:
Cross-platform games allow users to switch devices while playing the game without losing their progress, enhancing the overall experience.
Whether a player changes their device from mobile to PC or console or vice versa, they can continue the game right where they left off on their previous device.
Such continuity builds a loyal user base and keeps players engaged by delivering a similar experience and flexibility to play on any device.
4 Challenges To Overcome:
Despite having many benefits, cross-platform games are in the development stage. Hence, these games pose numerous challenges to achieve success.
Overcoming these sorts of challenges is not an easy task. The gradual evolution of technologies and user mindset plays the key role in this process.
Performance Optimisation:
One of the biggest obstacles for cross-platform games is performance optimisation for every device. Each device has its own capabilities and limitations, such as high-end PCs, consoles, or mobile devices, which have different pros and cons.
A game that works on a high-end PC or console may not work on low-spec mobile devices. Optimising the performance in a wide range of devices will require developers to fine-tune their code and ensure it works equally on every device.
Different Interface and Control:
Different device has different user interfaces and control systems to operate the game. If a game works perfectly on a console, it may not perform effectively on touchscreens.
Developers need to design the game device-friendly and flexible, so that it works on each platform’s specific strengths while offering smooth gameplay. A poor user experience on any device can reduce user retention and result in a loss of revenue.
Multiplayer Experience:
Creating a similar multiplayer experience across many devices is a very difficult task for the developers. Providing all the users, whether on mobile, PC, or console, with equal facility and battlefield without disrupting the experience is no joke.
Matchmaking, latency issues, syncing game progress, etc, across different devices pose different challenges that sometimes become impossible to overcome.
Every device has a different and unique network architecture. Hence, most of the time, they require custom solutions to ensure a smooth multiplayer experience.
Compliance With Platforms:
Guidelines, standards, and approval requirements vary from device to device. A cross-platform game must adhere to all the specific requirements.
Balancing performance, features, and compatibility with every platform’s rules and guidelines takes lots of time, effort, and resources.
Conclusion:
Despite having such significant challenges, cloud gaming and AI-driven tools, such as BCI, may shape the future of cross-platform gaming by providing it a stable ground to operate on every device equally.
This may require more focus on gameplay rather than optimizing on different devices, so the players can enjoy something better and unique through cross-platform gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Will GTA-6 be a cross-platform game?
GTA-6 is one of the most hyped and anticipated video games around the world. However, Rockstar hasn’t confirmed yet if GTA-6 will be a cross-platform game, but due to its popularity, there is a high chance that the creators will bring the game as a cross-play.
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Ryo Fernandez is a professional gamer, content creator, and writer with over 10 years of experience in the gaming and animation industry. Known for his in-depth knowledge and passion, Ryo covers the latest video game news, anime updates, reviews, and industry trends. His mission is to keep gamers, anime lovers, and pop culture fans informed with accurate, timely, and engaging content.