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Guide to Cross-Platform Game Development: Pros, Cons, and Tools

Posted on by itcodex itcodex

Mobile or console gaming? Or maybe a classic on PC? Cross-platform games say: “Why not all of those straight away?” Let the developers create, and the gamers choose. In this article, we examine what cross-platform game development is, its advantages, and the tools used to create games for different devices.

What is cross-platform game development? 

Cross-platform video game development is an approach whereby one project is created to work on several platforms: PCs, consoles, smartphones, and even browsers.  

How this kind of development is different: 

  • One code for all.The developers write the main program once. It has everything needed for the game: logic, mechanics, and other elements.
  • Abstraction.The developers create a layer that hides the differences between platforms. For example, rather than direct interaction with system functions, universal commands are used.
  • Cross-platforming engines.Tools like Unity, Unreal Engine, or Godot allow you to develop games that can easily be ported to different platforms.
  • Adaptation.Although the main code remains the same, some aspects have to be configured for the specific device. For example, the controls on a phone are different from the controls on a PC.
  • Compilation.The engine or other special software translates the code into a language that the specific device understands. For example, video games for Android are compiled in APK files, while IPA files are used for iOS.
  • Optimization.The game is customized to the capabilities of each platform. For example, the graphics, controls, and other parameters are adjusted.
  • Testing.The video game’s functionality on all platforms is tested, and errors specific to each particular platform are corrected.

Examples of games available on different platforms

  • Genshin Impact. An open-world RPG with action elements. The players explore a fantasy world, completes quests, and fight enemies.

Available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, iOS, and Android.

Source

  • Among Us. A multiplayer social deduction game set in space.

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.

Source

  • Chivalry 2. An action game with a medieval setting, where players fight in close combat. 

Available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Source

See also No Man’s Sky, Dead Cells, Warframe, and many other games. Popular and profitable games are more often than not cross-platform projects.

Why you should choose cross-platform development

There are advantages in cross-platform gaming, both for the creators and for the players:

  • Saving time and resources:

The developers create the game one time, then adapt it to different platforms. There’s no need to write new code for each system.

  • More players:

The game is available to users of different devices: computers, consoles, and smartphones. 

  • Single game experience:

Gamers get a similar experience whichever device they are using. They can save their progress and transfer it between platforms.

  • Simple updating:

Updates and new features appear at once on all platforms. This speeds up the process of launching patches and new features.

  • Competitive advantages:

Cross-platform games often outperform single-platform games in terms of audience reach. Just by appearing on different platforms, you can increase awareness of your brand.

  • Flexibility and monetization:

Developers can use different monetization models on different platforms. 

Engines for creating games on different platforms: what you need to know

Unity

A popular game engine for creating 2D and 3D games. It is equally suited to small indie projects and major games.

Supports:
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, WebGL, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Oculus, and other VR/AR devices.

Advantages:

  • Simple for beginners to learn.
  • Uses C#, a widely-known language.
  • Big asset store to speed up development.
  • An active community and a variety of learning resources.

Drawbacks:

  • The free version has restrictions on revenue.
  • Performance can suffer on mobile devices without optimization.

Unreal Engine

Unreal Engine is a game engine that supports high-quality graphics and realistic physics, making it suitable for major studios and professional developers. It is often used for developing AAA games.

Supports:
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and VR/AR devices.

Advantages:

  • The engine is equipped with tools for creating photorealistic graphics. It is suitable for projects where visual perfection is important.
  • Unreal Engine has the visual scripting tool Blueprints, which is like a model kit for creating games. You can use it to create game mechanics without coding in C++.
  • Unreal’s official website features a suite of tools for self-study: instructions, video tutorials, and example projects.
  • You can buy ready-made artwork and other game features on the Unreal Engine marketplace.
  • The engine is free until you reach a certain level of revenue.

Drawbacks:

  • Harder to learn than Unity.
  • Requires powerful hardware.

HTML5:

HTML5 is a technology for creating web games using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It is suitable for game developers and for website owners who want to integrate games into their platforms. 

Supports:
Browsers on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. Can be launched on mobile devices using wrappers.

Advantages:

  • Games in HTML5 can be launched in any modern browser on PC, mobile devices, and tablets.
  • One code will work on different devices and operating systems.
  • The main language for developers is JavaScript, which is widely used and has a big community of developers.
  • There are special frameworks which can simplify the creation of a game, such as Phaser, PixiJS, and Three.js.

Drawbacks:

  • Limited performance for complex games.
  • Dependent on browser support.
  • Limited access to devices’ native features.

Godot

Godot is a free and open-source game engine for developing 2D and 3D games, suitable for smaller projects. It uses its own scripting language, GDSCript, which is similar to Python.

You can also use C# and C++.

Advantages: 

  • Completely free with no restrictions.
  • Godot has editors for scenes, scripts, and animation—this simplifies the development process.
  • The official website features lots of tutorials and documentation. The community is eager to share knowledge and help solve problems.

Drawbacks:

  • Fewer ready-made assets than Unity.
  • Limited support for consoles.

Cocos2D-x

Cocos2d-x is an open-source framework for developing 2D games in C++. It can also be used with Lua and JavaScript.

Supports:
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and online via WebAssembly. Limited functionality with consoles.

Advantages:

  • Free and with open source code.
  • Flexible because it supports several languages.
  • Games created in Cocos2D-x take up little space and don’t overload devices—this is important for mobile games.
  • You can add third-party libraries and tools to increase game functionality.
  • The official website features detailed documentation and examples. The developer community is ready to help with advice and answers to your questions.

Drawbacks:

  • Limited to 2D development.
  • Requires knowledge of C++ or other supported languages.
  • Fewer ready-made tools and assets.

The future of cross-platform gaming: what to expect

Cross-platform development is constantly changing. Here are a few trends that we have observed:

  • Cloud gaming. With Google Stadia and Xbox Cloud Gaming, you can play games on any device, even underperforming ones.
  • Improved graphics.Engines are getting more powerful. Now you can create video games with stunning graphics on any device.
  • VR and AR integration. Virtual and augmented reality make games more immersive and interactive.
  • AI. AI tools help automate routine tasks and improve gameplay. Developers can spend more time on creativity.

If you want to get your game to market quickly and reach more players, then cross-platform development is worth looking into.

Inlingo Studio is ready to help win a new audience’s attention. You outsource localization, LQA, art creation, narration, voiceover, and other tasks to us. We will get your project ready to meet a global audience and help make it popular on all platforms.