Can Cross-Play Bring All Gamers Together?

The tiring war between console and PC gamers has become old, as has the beef between handheld and mobile gamers. At our core, we are all just there for the love of the game (quite literally), which is why having one global community should be the ultimate goal. Surprisingly enough, there might just be a solution for this that has been sitting right under our noses for the longest time: cross-play gaming. 

Although PC, console, handheld, and even mobile gamers have been acknowledged, there is one fragmented group we are forgetting about. Casino gamers have been silently growing into their own community, adding yet another divider between this already large group. The goal is to be inclusive with the “gamer” label and not exclude a specific group just because they prefer a higher-stakes gaming session. Many digital platforms, including casinos like Spin Palace, now produce high-fidelity and skill-based games that could make cross-platform integration possible. Beyond this, players get access to various promotional rewards, hundreds of real money games, and massive bonuses.

Blending this into the broader gaming community can blur the lines and allow gamers access to these features while still enjoying an RPG or AAA title. Even more, ensuring players can interact with one another, no matter what type of game they are enjoying, leads to that more inclusive label. Of course, there is an array of other tangible benefits that come with cross-play, including increased player retention and overall game health. Ask yourself: when have you ever seen a game get shut down despite having an active, large player base keeping it going? 

Games that support cross-platform play will see the emergence of these dedicated communities, meaning it increases the overall game health. Can you also picture the sheer scale of combined player pools for more popular AAA titles that might only be available on one platform? This mass effect (get it?) will lead to faster matchmaking, more competitive leagues and tournaments, and ultimately yield much higher returns for developers. The biggest benefit will certainly be social freedom. No more of the “sorry, we can’t play together because you’re on Xbox and I’m not” excuses, making it so much easier for friends to just enjoy a game together.

However, some obstacles stand in the way of this genius idea, with the platform holders and corporate silos being the main culprits. Although there would certainly be some technical issues that need to be worked around, the problem is from a business standpoint. Keeping players restricted to a specific platform is (in their eyes) a great way to control digital storefronts and revenue streams. Basically, console holders refuse to give up the golden handcuffs they have placed on their player base, as it (in their minds) means giving up on their profit pool.

To combat any arguments platform holders might make regarding technical hurdles, it’s important to understand that there are workarounds. Cross-platform account management might be a bit tricky, but Epic Games is a good example of how to navigate this. Being able to sign into the Xbox or PlayStation store with your Steam account (for instance) seems the easiest solution. Another issue could be cross-input disparities, but this is resolved through a quick settings update to allow both to fully function. The most pressing issue might be content licensing, as it would require developers to negotiate with one another on how players can connect across platforms. 

Contrary to popular beliefs, gaming has evolved to such an extent that cross-play has become the next necessary step in terms of player engagement. Platform-holders are free to keep their console war going, but is it not unfair for these companies to force players to comply with this imaginary line in the sand?