What are the advantages of cross-platform gaming?

Cross platform is the future of gaming. Period. Considering PC gaming is less than 25% the market, and console less so, not supporting mobile devices for cross play is simply a choice to make less money. But it’s not about money. It’s about the players. We need to make sure we bring games to where the players are, and players want to access games regardless of if they’re home at their gaming rig or on the move public transit. A commitment to cross platform is a commitment to your players - and they will reward you for it with higher engagement numbers and LTV. Think it’s too hard? Hire more UX designers. They’ll take good care of you and quadruple the reach of your game. Win win.

Cross-platform gaming? It simply expands the "pool" for the gaming and esports community by allowing them to play on various devices on the same game title with friends all around the world. For me kind of a breaking barrier tool for better socializing among the players.

Here’s a possibly very different take on this one. Different people from different parts of the world play in different ways. While people in North America may have a skew toward gaming on PCs, which can often cost thousands of dollars, players from parts of the world are emerging economies may be solely mobile gamers, largely due to access to technology and resources. Along comes crossplay. With nearly 1,000,000 new gamers coming online per day, the lion’s share of which are in emerging economies, this is an unpressed opportunity for new communities to come together to play and create. If we take this one step further, what does this mean for the future of game creation, both where and how that creation happens?

Cross-platform gaming breaks down social barriers. It means cross pollinating player-bases between multiple platforms so that people can play together more socially. They won't have to worry about who is playing where and can more easily connect with friends. This means that you can set up your game to incentivize playing with friends more and count on this helping your players do so, no matter their budget, hardware, or setup specifics. This can also help your game's community grow as players will more readily have a large playerbase to engage with.

Continuity across platforms for the gaming experience. This enables users to bring their gameplay with them across surfaces (mobile, PC, console, etc.) to enjoy their gaming and social experiences (Clans, Leaderboards, Discussions) where they choose.

The important thing here is this can mean more players. Its easier to hop on when you know your friends can too. Its easier when you don't have to get a new system and can use what you have. It breaks down cost barriers and more. It also means different types of players and players from different regions can more easily access your game. And as we all know, the more players you have the better.

Cross-platform gaming offers the advantage of more flexibility and convenience. To echo the words of Malcolm Gladwell, the renowned author, "Convenience is the most powerful force in the universe." Enabling players to access games on different platforms intensifies convenience and inclusivity. It allows friends, regardless of their gaming systems, to play together seamlessly, making gaming more accessible and enjoyable. Just as Gladwell highlights the immense power of convenience, cross-platform gaming empowers players to connect effortlessly, building on the gaming experience and expanding the gaming community. It's a win-win for both developers and players.

The advent of cross-platform gaming introduces unmatched flexibility and convenience, offering gamers the freedom to play their favorite titles on any device without losing progress. This seamless transition between devices caters to the modern gamer's lifestyle, where mobility and ease of access are paramount. For me, the convenience of picking up my game on a smartphone right where I left off on a console has been a game-changer. It has allowed me to integrate gaming more fluidly into my daily routine, ensuring that my progress is not hindered by my choice of platform or my physical location, enhancing my overall gaming experience.

Cross-platform gaming doesn't really offer much benefit in terms of innovation and quality, other than potentially opening up doors to innovate for specific platforms. For example some games have experimented in the development phase with how mobile players can participate with console and PC players, despite having potentially different UX on mobile devices - there have been experiments to innovate with mobile players having unique experiences perhaps not 1:1 matching the other platform experiences but still being able to participate with the game.

The push for cross-platform compatibility has spurred innovation within the gaming industry, challenging developers to create games that are not only versatile across platforms but also maintain a high standard of quality. This drive towards universal accessibility without compromising on performance or graphics demands a higher level of creativity and technical prowess from developers. In my experience, this has led to the emergence of games that are not only technologically advanced but also richer in narrative and gameplay depth. The competitive edge required to stand out in the cross-platform market ensures that only the best, most engaging games rise to the top, directly benefiting us as gamers.

More platforms also means more opportunities for discoverability in more marketplaces as well as more chances for potential cross-promotions. Adding new platforms post-launch opens up new chances for soft-relaunches, sort of a way to throw up the "grand opening" banner all over again.

Cross-Platform gaming opens up more opportunities for gamers to try different experiences, to join their friends who may all play on a platform they don't have or can't get. This sort of socially-sticky gaming can also lead to new experiences for players as they are now more able to follow their friends from game to game, discovering things they might not have tried if not for the ability to play with their friends.

When you take your game and design it to be cross platform, not only are you expanding the potential audience it can reach, but you are also allowing a more diverse audience to play your product. For example; if you design a game to launch on Playstation, those who require an accessible controller will be able to play using what they're most comfortable with unlike if you were to have kept your game strictly to let's say...mobile. ???? Furthermore, by fostering these different platform communities, you as a developer can utilize that to build your audience, and maybe make use of each different platforms benefits (Strike a deal with Game Pass, maybe? ????) Hope this helps!

Cross-platform play significantly widens the scope of gaming options available, presenting players with a plethora of titles that were previously restricted to specific platforms. This abundance of choices ensures that gamers have access to a diverse range of genres and experiences, fostering a more exploratory and adventurous gaming culture. Personally, this openness has allowed me to delve into worlds and stories that were once beyond reach, enriching my gaming repertoire and introducing me to communities and playstyles that have profoundly impacted my appreciation for the art of gaming.

Cross-platform gaming can be challenging at times, as much as it can also be more fun. Some games have experimented with options to help players identify which platform other players are on, or to only play with players on the same platform type as them (ie console with consoles only) to help even the competition and reduce potential unfair advantages.

Picking up on what Raj mentioned: cross-platform can have some tripwires when it comes to competitive gaming. In a lot of games the interface plays a huge role in the actual game experience and the player's individual performance. Aiming with keyboard and mouse vs. Gamepad and Auto-Aim is just one example. This is not even taking keyboard skripts and hotkeys into account. Marking players ingame based on their platform can have a very negative impact. I remember a game (not gonna mention the name) where console player names had a small icon behind their names. They were the prime targets of the PC gamers, since the gamepad interface had a significant disadvantage in comparison. This de facto killed the fun for the console players.

The integration of cross-platform gaming elevates the competitive landscape, introducing players to a broader spectrum of skill levels and strategies. This diversity enriches the gaming experience, offering new challenges and opportunities for growth and learning. For me, the thrill of competing against a wide array of players has not only been immensely enjoyable but has also significantly improved my gameplay and strategic thinking. The unpredictable nature of facing opponents from different platforms adds an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to each game, making every victory more satisfying and every defeat a learning opportunity.

Cross-platform gaming acts as a bridge between diverse gaming cultures, promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation among the global gaming community. This exposure to different perspectives and practices enriches the gaming experience, fostering a sense of global camaraderie and mutual respect. From a personal standpoint, it has broadened my horizon, exposing me to various gaming traditions and etiquette from around the world. This increased awareness has not only enhanced my cultural understanding but has also made me a more empathetic and informed member of the gaming community

Greater democratisation in the sector. Platform preferences for many are now entrenched for many players - especially with the rise of digital ownership. Cross-play breaks down these boundaries and allows for greater engagement

What I personally think is, Cross Platform is essential. Say your loved ones or friends have an Xbox and you a PlayStation you can play with each other on the same game.

Accessibility. Not everyone can play every platform, but everyone deserves the opportunity to play every game. Sometimes the barrier is financial, and sometimes it is physical or cognitive, but that shouldn’t be what matters; gatekeeping is unfair.