Gaming Industry - Cross platform Article

Minecraft’s Cross Platform Article

1. Give a definition of cross-platform gaming.

Cross platform gaming is a term used to describe the ability of a video game with an online gaming component that allows players using different video game hardware to play with each other simultaneously.

2.    Why is Microsoft’s “Better Together” update so exciting for the gaming world?

It’s exciting because Microsoft can finally bring so many gaming platforms together with this update. As this is the first time a game has offered cross play across all these platforms with the addition of the Nintendo switch to the mix. Minecraft could be the one of the first true platform – agnostic titles which is something huge and exiting for the public. Microsoft is holding the standards high when they’re accomplishing seeing incredible like this, making it hard for other gaming companies to defeat them.

3.    Why might there be concerns over online child protection?

Minecraft is a hugely popular game with children and players of all ages, but It gives children the opportunity for the first time to play on servers with mini-game worlds, where they will connect and play with other people from all over the globe. Which can be a cause of concern because children may not know who they will be playing with which can be unsafe for them hence is why, child protection is needed as its necessary to make sure they don’t engage with wrong people.

4.   What is the future for cross-platform gaming, in your opinion? What are the pros and cons, for the games developers and the audience?

I think it’s just the stepping stone to start something like this. I do think will has quite a lot potential and success in it because it’s much easier to play.  I do think later on other gaming companies will also start to do this. It’s definitely a lot of work for game developers to do because they need to work extra hard to make the game work as it becomes a cross-platform game. They will also have a hard time trying to perfect the game according to the audience since the audience is quite huge. Of course, there many pros and cons with it but I feel like you can’t always please everyone if there is a game companies are passionate to make they should just go with it and keep the age rating suited for it.