Gamers have long advocated for cross-platform compatibility, yet many titles still lack this feature despite widespread demand. However, there is hope for cross-platform enthusiasts, as some game developers have begun to recognize its true potential.
Capcom has announced that their upcoming game, Monster Hunter Wilds (2025), will feature cross-platform multiplayer, while Larian Studios added the feature to their 2023 Game of the Year, Baldur’s Gate III. Additionally, online casinos worldwide now allow players to access their accounts across all devices from the start.
Why is cross-platform compatibility such a big deal for gamers? Below are the the reasons why it’s gaining more popularity across the gaming community:
The benefits of cross-platform accessibility
'Cross-platform' refers to a game’s ability to function across multiple platforms or devices. It can take many forms that are useful to different kinds of players. The most distinct arguments that pro-cross-platform advocates wish to be standard are varying benefits to single-player and multiplayer experiences.
For single-players
Cross-platform means single-players only need one copy of the game to play on multiple devices, with their progress accessible on every device.
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For multiplayer
Multiplayer games benefit from cross-platform compatibility the most because the player base's size is a live service's lifeline. If players can interact from across platforms, then the game creates one big interconnected ecosystem that keeps its ecosystem operating.
Video games also suffer from hardware compatibility issues, preventing players on different platforms from interacting. One such case is Monster Hunter World, which would benefit greatly from cross-platform interactions. Some games like Apex Legends and Helldivers 2 can provide this service, so it’s becoming a standard in the gaming industry.
Reasons cross-platform gaming was unavailable in many games
Cross-platform has been a viable feature in the gaming industry for a long time, but there are several reasons why it is often not implemented, including:
Control scheme differences
In the early 2000s, every console used a unique layout for control schemes. The standardised two analogue sticks, four triggers, four direction buttons (d-pad) and four action buttons format was a modern solution. There are still games exclusive to the PC due to the unmatched complexity of the mouse and keyboard.
Even when the game is designed for all types of control schemes, there is tension between fans of the respective platforms. Many will claim that the game is more favourable for players of a certain console and thus has the advantage against others. A popular example of this is how the mouse and keyboard are seen as better than controllers in first-person shooters (FPS).
Hardware differences
Every device back in the day used different hardware, making it impossible to build one exact copy of a game that could run on all consoles and the PC. Nowadays, they share manufacturers of necessary hardware like the video card, CPU and storage. The operating system is the only dividing element that still forces developers to make different versions for different devices.
Contractual obligations or regulations
Publishers are bound by various regulations, and external factors, such as contracts with console manufacturers, can compel developers to release games exclusively for a specific platform. Exclusive publishing rights are a common business practice used to encourage gamers to commit to one platform over others.
Examples of exclusive titles are God of War (2018) and Ghost of Tsushima which were exclusive to the PlayStation before being released on PC much later. Nintendo also follows this business model where all their games are exclusive to their platform, the Nintendo Switch. They also hold time-limited exclusives with Capcom for Monster Hunter Rise.
Should enabling cross-platform gaming be the standard?
There’s a strong consensus among gamers that cross-platform gaming should be enabled and made an industry standard. A report from Unity (creator of one of the most widely used game engines) states that games offering cross-platform accessibility have increased revenue by 20-40%.
Gamers also show no issue buying every version of the game they love on all platforms. They simply wish to access their progress on different devices when they want. Fortunately, this is slowly becoming the more popular trend across most publishers. The only exceptions are Sony and Nintendo, who aim to maintain exclusivity as the standard.
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