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The development of modern technologies has opened ways for creating high-quality games for all major platforms. Cross-platform is the result of this revolution, providing a seamless development of games and even apps that work on multiple devices without having to write the code for individual platforms.
Many game development companies at this time are using cross-platform game development approaches for creating their games. Of course, if it doesnโt have any benefit, no one would use it. But surprisingly, it has world-class advantages. A developer looking to develop games for multiple platforms would get sparking benefits from cross-platform development. However, correctly using this technology requires a proper understanding of its working capabilities and the tools that offer you cross-platform game development services.
This might be too overwhelming for you to understand the cross-platform development. But donโt worry about it; we have got you all covered. With the help of this blog, you will understand everything about cross-platform game development, and it will be easy for you to use this technology for your personal or enterprise-level projects. This blog covers everything, so letโs get started.
Creating games for multiple platforms, such as mobile devices, consoles, and desktops, using the same code base is cross-platform game development. This process is completely different from native development, in which a game or app can only be developed for a single platform. As a result, developers are limited in using the same code for the same program on different devices.
However, with multi-platform development, users can use the same program on multiple devices. For example, if a program is developed for the Android platform using a cross-platform technique, then the same program can be accessible on iOS as well. This reduces the extra work and time consumed compared to native development.
Cross-platform games allow users to play similar games on the platform with other platform users. Android users can play together with iOS users without installing any third-party software or plugins. Cross-platform games offer the same gaming experience regardless of the device users are using.
Just like it benefits users, it benefits game developers as well, allowing them to reach a broader audience and maximize the gameโs potential reach. Whether you are an experienced developer or just a beginner, cross-platform game development can help you make your dream project for every platform you like with its single-code functionality.
With the cross-platform game development approach, developers have the ability to create their games seamlessly for multiple platforms using a single code base. It has numerous advantages, and we have mentioned some of the highly anticipated benefits of cross-platform game development. Check below to learn about its benefits:
Increased Reach
It's obvious that players like to play games together, but what if the game only supports Android, Console, or Desktop? Then, the Android players can't play with iOS users or Desktop users with Consoles.
The cross-platform game development allows developers to create games for multiple platforms without coding it from scratch.
That means game companies can target multiple platform users at the same time by using this technology.
They can grab a large audience in less time.
Reduced Development Cost & Time
Unlike native development, where you can only use code for a single platform, multi-platform development allows you to use that single code base on different platforms without having to write them again and again.
This saves you a very significant development cost and time as you are using a single code base for Android and iOS or Consoles and Desktops.
Consistent User Experience
The best thing about cross-platform game development is that it offers the same level of gameplay, graphics, and overall performance across multiple platforms, such as Desktops, Consoles, and mobile devices.
The cross-platform games ensure the consistency of player engagement and satisfaction no matter how they access the game.
Accelerated Development Process
The modern approach of cross-platform game development services allows developers to streamline their processes.
This approach enables developers to use a single code base for multiple platforms, significantly reducing the development time traditionally required to develop different versions for each system.
This efficiency of cross-platform development accelerates the development cycle, enabling quicker market release with minimal effort.
Cross-platform gaming has revolutionized the way we interact and compete with friends. No longer confined to the same console or PC, players can now unite across different platforms, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic gaming community. Let's delve into some of the most popular cross-platform games that have captured the hearts of millions.
Fortnite
Fortnite, undoubtedly a pioneer in the cross-platform realm, has redefined the battle royale genre.
With its vibrant world, engaging combat, and constant updates, Fortnite continues to attract players of all ages and skill levels.
The ability to team up with friends on different platforms has significantly contributed to its enduring popularity.
Minecraft
Minecraft, another beloved title, offers a boundless sandbox experience where creativity knows no limits.
The Bedrock Edition seamlessly connects players across various devices, allowing for collaborative world-building and adventures.
Whether you prefer building intricate structures or exploring vast landscapes, Minecraft's cross-platform compatibility ensures that you can share these experiences with anyone, regardless of their gaming setup.
Apex Legends
Apex Legends, a fast-paced battle royale shooter, has carved its niche with its character-based gameplay and intense gunplay.
The game's commitment to cross-platform play has fostered a competitive and engaging environment.
With a diverse roster of Legends and a constantly evolving Meta, Apex Legends offers endless replayability and the thrill of teaming up with friends across different platforms.
Rocket League
Rocket League, a high-octane blend of soccer and driving, has captivated players with its unique gameplay and addictive mechanics.
The game's cross-platform support has been instrumental in its success, allowing players to form teams and compete against others regardless of their platform.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or a casual player, Rocket League offers a fun and challenging experience for everyone.
Call of Duty: Warzone
Call of Duty: Warzone, the free-to-play battle royale mode, has attracted a massive player base with its fast-paced action and intense gunfights.
The game's cross-platform functionality has been a game-changer, enabling players to squad up with friends on different consoles or PCs.
With its constant updates and new content, Warzone continues to be a dominant force in the battle royale genre.
Destiny 2
Destiny 2, a shared-world shooter with rich lore and engaging gameplay, has embraced cross-platform play to bring its community closer together.
Players can now team up with friends on different platforms to explore the vast universe, complete challenging raids, and defeat formidable enemies.
Destiny 2's commitment to cross-platform compatibility has expanded its player base and created a more vibrant and inclusive gaming experience.
Knowing cross-platform game development benefits is obviously enticing so that you may choose this technology for your game project.
Except for its great gaming experience, developing cross-platform games may not be as easy as it sounds. Developers with less or no experience in cross-platform development are most likely to face problems. When it comes to more technical constraints, challenges can arise uncertainly in the development process. Here, learn what challenges and limitations do cross-platform game development has:
Console Game Development is Difficult
Unlike PC or mobile platforms, Consoles are built differently. There are many types of consoles, like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, that add an extra layer of complexity to cross-platform game development.
These devices have their own unique specifications, requirements, development kits, and approval processes.
For developing and publishing games for Consoles, there are some strict guidelines and limitations as they have different environments and ecosystems.
To develop console games, developers must adhere to their guidelines and adapt their codes, graphics, and gameplay to meet the console requirements and standards.
Also, developers have to ensure that they work seamlessly on other platforms.
Technical Restrictions and Limitations
Each platform is built in different ways and contains unique hardware, processing power, resolutions, and other technical aspects.
Therefore, what works for the Console might not work for Desktops or mobile devices. For example, a game that runs smoothly on a high-end PC might face performance issues on mobile devices.
To overcome this challenge, developers need to adapt each platform's technical aspects so that they can optimize games as per the platform's capability.
This will optimize the game for the platform, ensuring that games provide a stable and exceptional experience.
The optimization includes scaling down the graphic quality and level and simplifying certain features for all types of devices.
UI/UX Consistency in Multiple Platforms
Providing UI and UX consistency across all platforms is the critical challenge that many developers face during cross-platform game development.
Achieving better performance, graphics, and controls is a must and should provide a similar gaming experience across all devices.
Developers must ensure that the gameโs mechanics and core are well-optimized for different devices by considering their capabilities and limitations.
Cross-platform game development is not an easy task, as developers need to have proper technical knowledge about the different platforms for which they want to create games. For successful development, developers have to follow the step-by-step process from concept to launch.
By considering everything, every technical aspect related to cross-platform game development, you can create a game that is accessible and engaging across all devices.
However, we have mentioned some of the critical tips for cross-platform game development that you can follow to create your own cross-platform games successfully across all devices.
Utilize Reuse Components
Developers can save valuable time by using existing codes, libraries, frameworks, and UI Elements that can work seamlessly across multiple platforms.
When using pre-made components, developers can also ensure uniform user experience across various platforms with easy code maintenance and management.
Integrating Social Features
Incorporating social features into cross-platform games includes multiplayer modes, social media integration, and in-person communication.
These features are key to increasing player interaction and community building.
In addition, it can increase engagement, increase player retention, and increase the effectiveness of your game through social sharing and competitive interactions on social media, and communities.
Choose the Right Game Development Engine
Choosing the right game engine is important as it can significantly impact the efficiency and quality of your cross-platform games.
There are game engines that donโt require any coding but just a basic understanding of it.
Whether you are a beginner-level developer or a well-experienced game developer, these game engines are easy to handle.
Internal Tool and Utility Development
Internal tool and utility development includes creating custom tools for asset management, version control, testing, and performance analysis.
These streamline workflows, promote collaboration, and optimize the development process, resulting in more efficient production cycles and higher-quality game releases.
Implementing a Microservices Architecture
Realize the power of microservices architecture.
Microservices improve scalability, fault isolation, and development flexibility by isolating game functionality into independent services.
This modular approach can also help adapt functionality to different platforms as part of a cross-platform development strategy.
Maintain a Consistent Artistic Direction
Maintain a consistent artistic direction by harmonizing the in-game visual style, narrative themes, and audio elements.
This consistency increases immersion, strengthens storytelling impact, and strengthens brand identity.
It guides design decisions from character and environment creation to ensure a consistent game experience across all interactions.
Plan Platform-Specific Adjustments
Game development companies can help plan and implement platform-specific customizations.
This includes optimizing game features, UI/UX design, and performance features for each target platform, whether mobile or PC.
This approach ensures that your game runs smoothly on all devices, leveraging hardware capabilities and user expectations to deliver a customized experience that maximizes player engagement and satisfaction.
Unity 3D
Unity 3D is the most popular game engine leveraged by millions of developers and AAA studios from all around the world. It offers tons of features and is flexible enough to make any type of 2D and 3D games. Apart from this, this is a cross-platform game engine, meaning developers can create games for multiple platforms at the same time.
Many games developed on the Unity engine, such as Pokรฉmon Go, Rimworld, Heathstone, and plenty more. Developers love this tool because it has C# scripting API and built-in visual studio integration. Unity also has JavaScript as a scripting language and Mono Develop as an IDE, an alternative to Visual Studio.
This game engine allows developers to create their own games for various platforms, including iOS, Android, Desktop, and Console. Unity has significantly improved its performance capabilities, allowing developers to handle complex tasks.
Unreal Engine
In the most simplistic terms, Unreal Engine, also known as UE, is the most advanced and modern video game development tool. This game engine is developed by the most underrated game publishing franchise and software development company, Epic Games.
The programming language this game engine uses is C++, giving developers the ability to build game maps and environments, simulate, edit videos or sound, and render animation. Devs have created many titles for todayโs market as well.
It is completely user-friendly and free to use, which is best for developers who are at the beginner level and want to learn game development. On top of that, Unreal Engine features a high degree of portability that gives users the ability to use it across all platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, PlayStation, and Xbox series. Overall, this game engine is altogether good for venturing into the game development field.
Godot Engine
Godot Engine is a lightweight and efficient mobile game development tool that is completely cross-platform and compatible with 2D and 3D game development. It has a user-friendly visual editor and built-in nodes that simplify and speed up the game-designing process.
With this tool, developers can easily offer game porting services and deploy games for multiple platforms like PC, mobile, and web-based platforms using the latest HTML 5 version and webAssembly.
Exporting to consoles is only possible with third-party porting service providers who are licensed console developers. Godot is a relatively easy game engine to learn and use; both experienced and novice developers can work with it. The built-in programming language, GDScript, has syntax almost identical to Python and is easy to learn.
The intuitive editor, free-to-use Godot docs, and ability to integrate with third-party plugins and applications also lower the barrier to entry.
HTML 5
HTML 5 is not a proper game development engine but a technology that allows developers to develop browser-based games that can run on any device with a web browser. Itโs a fifth version of HTML markup language that extends, improves, renationalizes document markup, and adds a single API for complex web applications.
More than half of mobile games and apps are built using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. HTML-based games are very fluent and seamlessly work on different devices and web browsers, providing you with an exceptional gaming experience.
Apart from these game development engines, there are more in the marketplace that offer different types of features for the Devs. The only way to find out which cross-platform game development engine is the best is by getting hands-on experience.
Cross-platform games have been around for a long time, and the industry is already filled with these types of games and apps. This surge of cross-platform game development holds many lucrative opportunities for game developers looking to start their own game development ventures.
Despite everything, with modern technologies like 5G connectivity, AI, and advanced-level devices, gamers are continuously looking for games that work on every level of platforms. And cross-platform games give them that feeling and experience. On the other hand, many game development companies are constantly developing their games using this tool to get higher user access.
Therefore, itโs crystal clear that with these modern tech surges, cross-platform game development will be the next big thing in the gaming industry.
Orion InfoSolutions is a leading game development company with more than 9+ years of experience in the industry. With highly experienced developers and technical teams, we get things done excellently. We always focus on quality and follow the vision that you have seen for your business, and our work is to bring your vision to reality with all the standards.
We excel in cross-platform game development as it is our mainstream work in Orion InfoSolutions. No matter how complex your project is, our dev team possesses knowledge that offers you best-in-class solutions. Here at Orion InfoSolutions, we utilize modern tech, including AI, and the latest game engines that give you the flexibility to choose your game development approach the way you want.
The team analyzes the clientโs project requirements and target platforms. We pride ourselves on top-class code structure management and covering all the technical aspects of streamlining a cross-platform game that is compatible across all different devices.
Alongside cross-platform game development services, we also provide game porting services that help you upgrade the existing game for different platforms. So, donโt wait; connect with us and make your dream game a reality. click on the below now!
With the constant engagement of gamers in cross-platform games, cross-platform game development has become a broadly accepted service for a game development company. The bottom line is that cross-platform games are rising steadily, and 2024-2025 will be the same. The cross-platform game development is very promising for new and experienced game developers. With new game engines, cross-platform features have become mandatory for them to offer.
If you have game development expertise and want to start your game-building journey in 2024, going full cross-platform game development is the best choice for you. If you are someone who wants to develop a cross-platform game and is looking for a reliable cross-platform game development studio, then look no further than Orion InfoSolutions. Send your query today, and we will bring it live with our magic tools.
What is cross-platform game development?
Cross-platform game development is the process of creating games that can run on multiple platforms, such as iOS, Android, Windows, PlayStation, and Xbox.
What are the benefits of cross-platform game development?
The benefits of cross-platform game development include increased reach, reduced development costs and time, and consistent user experience.
How much does cross-platform game development cost?
Cross-platform game development is a full-cycle development and requires in-depth knowledge of various programming languages like C# and C++. Generally, the cost of developing cross-platform games starts from a minimum of $15,000 and can go up to $200,000 depending on the various factors like type of game, features, platforms, developer's locations, etc.
What are the challenges of cross-platform game development?
The challenges of cross-platform game development include console development, navigating technical restrictions, and compatibility issues.
How long does it take to develop a cross-platform game?
Usually, developing a cross-platform game takes 3 to 7 months if it's a small project and less graphic-oriented. But if the game is highly graphic-intensive and full of features and functionalities, then it will take at least 1 to 4 years to complete fully.
DC Kumawat is the CEO of Orion InfoSolutions, a leading provider of IT solutions to businesses of all sizes. He has over 14+ years of experience in the IT industry. He is a passionate advocate for the use of technology to improve business performance.