Why do you Need to Build Cross-Platform Games in 2023?

Cross-Platform Games
11 min read

Cross-platform mobile games are a trend that is quickly taking over the gaming industry, one game at a time. Game investors are becoming more concerned about making the right move early on to save time, resources, and money at the time of development as well as at the time of maintenance. All this can be handed to you when you choose the best cross-platform game development company to partner with.

What are Cross Play Games?

These are those games that can run on mobile phones (Android, iOS) in addition to the Xbox series and Nintendo Switch. Additionally, there are multiplayer modes that ensure that there are enough players to play against.

Why Artoon Solutions is the Best Cross-Platform Game Development Company

Artoon Solutions is an industry expert in the field of mobile game development. With 14+ years of experience in developing a range of games for some of the biggest names in the industry such as MPL, HD Works (A23), Flipkart, Zupee, Batball11 (ITlion), 3Plus Games, COG (circle of games), Team18 Play (Clearbit API), JP Funware (RummyXL), Kubera, Junglee Games, YooZoo Games.

Our expertise in game development is in the following genres:

  • MultiGaming Platforms
  • Real-Money & Virtual Money
  • Cards & Casino
  • Board
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Casual
  • Hyper-Casual
  • Puzzle

Why You Need Cross-Platform Game Development Services

Some of the best cross-platform games rank on gaming charts across the globe, and developing a cross-platform game could help you make your mark on the global gaming market!

While mobile games are widely popular in India, they may not be so popular in other global markets you wish to target.

Cross-platform mobile games have several advantages over Native games that support just one platform. Let’s list out the advantages before taking a detailed look at each point.

1. Cost Efficient

Developing a game for a single platform may seem cost-efficient because you are ‘testing the market’ and not investing the total amount of two platforms.

But this is an unwise decision if you know your game will be a hit. It ends up being the expensive route.  In this case, simultaneously making a game for both platforms would have been the wiser decision!
Considering the quote, ‘Penny wise and pound foolish,’ you should consider the long-term solution! Why go through the process twice when you can do it once?

2. Excellent Accessibility

The crowing feature of cross-platform game development is that everyone can access it, regardless of what device they use!

This great accessibility is an added boost as you can simultaneously target two platforms’ audiences. Thus, you would not have to lose one platform’s users to target another platform’s users. Sometimes, making a cross-platform game means your game could breach the divide between multiple devices.

Remember, accessibility to a greater audience will increase your chances of getting a larger audience, meaning your final DAU (daily active user) count could be significant.

3. Relatively Rapid Development

Development speed for cross-platform games is faster when considering that several platforms are covered simultaneously. 

The alternative would be to develop several different games for each platform. This would be less time effective as each platform would take a while, almost the same time as developing a cross-platform game.

4. Great User Experience

There have been questions surrounding the user experience of cross-platform games. However, if you take a closer look, it may not be native-like game development, but it is the next best thing!

Also, once you consider the other benefits, it can be considered a small price to pay, which players won’t mind too much.

But, if you are offering a game that is simple and requires minimal detailing and mediocre graphics and functionality, a native user experience is not necessary for such games, and so cross-platform mobile games will suffice.

5. Lower Maintenance Costs and Efforts

When you have a single game to manage, you also maintain a single code base. This works to achieve lower costs, efforts, and resources as well.

Managing a single code base is much more convenient than handling multiple code bases. Also, this means that there need to be fewer people focusing on the maintenance of the code, which equates to less effort.

What do you Need to Build Cross Platform Mobile Games?

If you are investing in cross-platform multiplayer games for the first time, you may probably want to know how you can get a cross-platform game that sits among the best ones.

a) Original Game Idea

Every successful multiplayer game starts with an original game idea, as many games with the same idea get boring over time, and your game could easily be lost on the Google Play Store!

b) Dedicated Game Developers

Of course, seeing as you want your game to be the best possible version, you will want exceptional game developers working on it. Expert developers can effectively judge the gaming market and let you know your chances on the market.

c) Game Engine

The game engine creates a base on which games can be developed without having to do it from scratch. It also provides the opportunity to present stunning graphics and exceptional game features. A game engine, that too, the right one, is essential to developing a cross-platform game.

d) Advanced Features and Game Modes for a Multiplayer Game

If you intend on beating other multiplayer cross-platform games, you will undoubtedly need to bring something new and improved to the table. This can be in the form of progressive features, new game modes, or better multiplayer capabilities.

e) Mobile Games with Better Functionality

Performance is the biggest push ahead if you want to leave a lasting impression on users who play online cross-platform games.

f) Ability to Grow the User Base

Advertising and marketing a mobile game is another step you cannot leave out when opting for a cross-platform game. Without these efforts, you will not be able to grow your user base to an amount that will be futile to your investment.

Possible Drawbacks of Cross-Platform Development

Cross-platform game development can be a challenging path to catering to your target audience! There are a few drawbacks that may be experienced!

  • Hardware differences between devices.
  • Inability to harness each platform’s best features as it has to use communal features that both or all platforms possess.
  • Cross-platform game development lacks the native feel some users may have become accustomed to in most other games.

But, you may find these drawbacks irrelevant based on the game and the genre you are catering to.

Cross-Platform Game Engines

A game engine is a tool that usually provides visual game development tools to developers, including a set of usable components, which are all included in an integrated development environment (IDE) to facilitate rapid development.

Unity and Unreal

Unity

The cross-platform game engine, Unity game engine is not an unknown tool to game developers, it is used by an increasing number of game development companies.

Unity is a preferred tool for the development of cross-platform mobile games in which there is a great deal of interest.

Examples of Unity Engine Games 

Unreal

You will find the Unreal game engine as the leading technology behind certain games with graphic-intensive requirements. Many top-rated games in the categories of action, role-playing, or first-person shooter, are usually created using the Unreal game engine.

The graphical capabilities of the Unreal engine are phenomenal! Hence, it’s used in games that require excellent graphics to offer players the best possible experience.

Examples of Unreal Engine Games

Godot Engine

Licensed under MIT, Godot is a game development engine that aims to provide an environment including everything needed to develop cross-platform mobile games. As of the latest versions of this engine, it supports Android and iOS.

Solar2D

Solar2D is actually a software development kit (SDK), that is, an installable package containing everything needed to develop software.

Although it comes off as a mobile application development tool, it is more commonly known nowadays for its game development capabilities. This priority changed just a year after the software was launched.

CryEngine

This is a game engine licensed under the German company Crytek. However, it caters exclusively to Playstation 3-5, Xbox X, S, 360, One, Linux, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo, and Wii U.

This tool has also been licensed to Amazon, leading to the release of an updated and extended version called Amazon Lumberyard.

HTML5

Off late, HTML5 has become a personal favorite for game development experts. It offers multiple advantages that facilitate cross-platform game development.

Cocos2D-X

It is an open-source game development framework that is concerned with developing 2D games for iPhone and Android devices.

Differences Between Unity & Unreal Game Engines

There have often been debates as to which is the best game-making platform. Not surprisingly, the answer depends on what your requirements are and what type of game you intend to develop.

Characteristic Unity  Unreal
Developed By  Unity Technologies Epic Games
Learning Curve Easy to learn and use Steeper learning curve
Price Free Version & Paid Commercial Licenses Free, but developer companies must pay a fixed percentage of sales to Unreal
2D Support 2D is Supported 3D is Supported
3D Support 3D is Supported Limited 2D Support
Languages Usable C#, Prefab, Bolt C++, Blueprint
AR & VR Support Features for Both AR & VR Limited AR & VR Features
Mobile Support Powerful Mobile Features Lower Support for Mobile
Cross-Platform Support Windows,  MAC, Linux, Android, iOS, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch Windows,  MAC, Linux, Android, iOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Google Stadia
Examples of Games Cuphead, Pokemon GO, Pillars of Eternity Fortnite, The Matrix Awakens, Borderlands 3
Reddit Community 294k 162k

Which Engine to Choose and When

Many people often choose a game engine based on the cost or availability of resources. However, this is just one of the dangers that can lead to a below-par game offering.

Unity

  1. Most Concerned with 2D Game Development
  2. Relatively inexperienced in game development
  3. Developing & Launching the First Game

Unreal

  1. Looking for High-Quality Graphics
  2. Creating a Game From Certain Niches (Action, FPS, Role-Playing)
  3. Highly Experienced Developers

Cross Platform Game Market

Conclusion

In basic words, you need to build cross-platform games if you want the opportunity to reach the largest possible number of users. With cross-platform applications, you are not restricted to targeting one set of users based on their mobile device OS.

Furthermore, if you have decided on developing in 2D, the best option is Unity. This is the best game-making platform for simple yet impressive 2D game offerings.

Your requirements for an experienced partner in Unity game development will end with Artoon Solutions, a game development company with extensive experience and skill in 2D game development using Unity, every requirement will be satisfied, Contact Us today.

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FAQs

Is it affordable to develop cross-play games?

Having a game that can be played on different platforms is cost-efficient in the long run. Some examples of the best cross-platform offerings are those that offer support for other platforms that, include iOS users and other players from other platforms and mobile devices.

How much does cross-platform game development cost?

Cross-platform game development can be a cost-efficient offering when you choose to outsource to a reliable cross-platform game development company. Eventually, the cost is dependent on the requirements mentioned in the Scope of Work document.

Does cross-platform game development take a long time?

While cross-platform game development takes longer than a single mobile version game, it eliminates the need to go through the process twice. Going through the process once is better than doing it twice or thrice!

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