Cross-Platform is Where the Money Is

My dad has a saying, “Opinions are like buttholes, everyone’s got one and they are generally full of crap”. Well that’s not exactly how he says it but you get the idea. Nonetheless we love to share our opinions because, well, the internet and so I wanted to share an opinion that I think one or two of you might at the very least thing is interesting. Or you may hate it and that’s great too because it’s the internet and we have no social accountability anyway so feel free to comment below.

Cross-Platform … GO!

Recently I did a preview in progress on Fortnite by Epic games. You can check it out here if you’re interested. I had a great time with the title and with each update dive back in to see what the developer is doing. What was most surprising and interesting to me with Fortnite wasn’t any of its in game features but rather a unique approach to progress saving and management. I had the privilege of previewing the game on both PC and PS4 which was great in and of itself but was got me really excited was that once I linked my PSN account to my PC account my progressed was saved cross-platform. Anything I did on one transferred seamlessly to the other. It was so amazing to not have to level essentially two accounts if I had friends on both PC and PS4.

This brings my to my opinion/question. Do you think that developers could make more money if more games offered cross-platform progress (note that I am so trademarking that term so don’t get any ideas)? I’m not talking about Cross-platform play, I get that this would require competitors working together and you know apparently they don’t like to share. Cross-platform progress on the other hand doesn’t require these companies to share to the same degree. As someone that games on PC, PS4, Xbox, Wii U, Mobile, and 3DS, I find the idea of cross-platform progress fascinating. Here’s my reasoning; I have gaming buddies on multiple platforms. When a new game comes out and everyone wants it I find myself in a bit of a predicament. Which system do I buy it on? Which account is getting leveling priority? How am I going to keep up with my friends on different platforms?

The issue for me isn’t even buying the same title more than once, I get that developers, publishers and distributors have to make money and that’s cool. What frustrates me is having to debate these questions everytime a game like Destiny 2, Battlefront 2 drops. If Cross-platform progress was a thing that more titles had I think people would be more adapted to by on multiple platforms. Sure there would be issues to consider, at present I can’t think of them but I’m sure the internet will help me out here. So I leave it to you internet, Do you think the gaming business would benefit from cross-platform progress or would it bring about the end of gaming and possibly the world. Leave a comment below and weigh in.