| aming industry is constantly expanding and while | | | | each platform and at the same time afford to |
| current generation consoles are slowly dying, next | | | | purchase games. This way, gamers can still |
| generation machines are rapidly emerging, gaining | | | | purchase their favorite game for a chosen |
| gamers interests along the way. Of the current | | | | platform without having to worry about availability. |
| generation console systems, the Xbox, | | | | The future of gaming is clearly heading along the |
| PlayStation 2 and Gamecube have all captured a | | | | path of multi-platform titles. However expect |
| share of the gaming market. The Xbox 360 will | | | | exclusive titles to remain in production. Sony and |
| face some heated competition when Sony | | | | Microsoft for instance, offer up large |
| releases its successor to the PS2 and Nintendo | | | | ‘sums of cash’ to their larger |
| revolutionizes gaming with its Wii. When we add | | | | developers to exclusively develop for their |
| the P.C. into the equation, gamers will ultimately | | | | machines. While on the other hand, many |
| have the option of 4 gaming platforms in which to | | | | developers still choose to create for one system, |
| play their favorite titles. | | | | hoping to achieve a high quality game, winning |
| Having identified this, developers are increasingly | | | | over gamers alike. To add to this, many recent |
| creating titles for more than one system. This | | | | multi-platform developments have proven |
| recent trend has sparked criticisms among the | | | | successful. |
| gaming community. Concerns over the quality of | | | | Take for example Resident Evil 4, a survival |
| multi-platform games have placed a great amount | | | | horror developed by Capcom. This game was |
| of pressure on developers to create titles for a | | | | released to the Gamecube in January of 2005 and |
| specific machine. Largely associated with | | | | greeted with rave reviews. Approximately 8 |
| cross-platform titles is a lack of perceived quality | | | | months later the same title was released again, |
| due to developers focusing on multiple systems | | | | however this time to the PS2. In similar fashion, |
| rather than one. Of course each system is | | | | the game was highly reviewed by gaming |
| different to the next. One system may contain | | | | audience worldwide. There was very little |
| greater processing power, while another greater | | | | difference between the two releases. Both |
| graphic capabilities. | | | | featured the same game and story, while |
| So who’s to blame for the creation of | | | | additional features were added to the |
| multi-platform games? Most people point their | | | | PS2’s version of the title. The PS2 version |
| fingers straight at the big gun companies such as | | | | was in fact a port from the Gamecube version. |
| Sony or Microsoft. It is a common misconception | | | | However unlike many multi-platform |
| that creators of the gaming systems themselves | | | | developments, developers Capcom placed a great |
| wish to publish cross-platform games. After all, | | | | deal of emphasis on transitioning the game from |
| Microsoft would prefer to keep games exclusively | | | | one system to the next and the results – |
| bound to their machines and vice versa. It is in | | | | an almost prefect game. |
| fact the third party developers who choose to | | | | Unfortunately this is a route that many |
| create multi-platform titles. While gamers will | | | | developers choose to bypass when developing |
| continue to complain, it seems only wise from an | | | | cross-platform titles. It is wrong in any case to |
| economical perspective to capitalize on a game | | | | assume that all such developments are inferior. |
| through multiple systems. | | | | Quality cross-platform games do exist, however |
| Unfortunately the result of this is that developers | | | | they are difficult to find. The world of gaming is |
| in most cases compromise quality for quantity. In | | | | constantly evolving and as changes take place |
| many situations, developers will focus on creating | | | | new trends, either good or bad will emerge. We |
| a game for one machine and then port it over to | | | | need to remember that developers will only |
| other systems. However a cross-platform path | | | | create games that capture the interest of |
| isn’t necessarily all bad and when | | | | gamers. The bottom line is that developers will |
| approached with a different perspective can be a | | | | only continue to create low quality cross-platform |
| positive move. After all, you must consider the | | | | titles if gamers support them. Ultimately |
| fact that not each gamer will own every machine. | | | | it’s you, the gamer who holds all the |
| It can potentially become very expensive to own | | | | power. |