The days of having different consoles for different games are over: the landscape of gaming is shrugging off siloed experiences confined to a single console or platform. Today’s players demand seamless cross-platform access, where their progress and communities transcend hardware boundaries. This shift necessitates a fundamental rethinking of the LiveOps approach, the ongoing management and optimization of live service games (GaaS).

The statistics bear this out with 56 percent of all Americans reporting that they have played multiplayer games in the past year, of which 87 percent stating that they have played cross-platform games. Of all cross-platform gamers, 43 percent have expressed that they want more cross-platform game options.

The Rise of the Cross-Platform Player

The rise of cloud gaming services, powerful mobile devices, and cross-play functionality has created a truly connected gaming ecosystem. According to a blog post by Eventyr:

“The demand for cross-platform gaming has been steadily increasing, fueled by players' desire for flexibility and convenience. According to a survey by GlobalWebIndex, 63 percent of gamers prefer cross-platform play to enjoy their games on multiple devices. [And] research by Accenture shows that 85 percent of gamers believe that cloud gaming will revolutionize cross-platform play by providing real-time streaming and rendering capabilities, eliminating the need for expensive hardware upgrades.”

This trend presents both opportunities and challenges for GaaS developers. On one hand, it offers access to a wider player base, fostering a more vibrant and diverse community. On the other, GaaS must meet the demands of a unified LiveOps strategy that caters to players across different platforms with varying preferences and expectations.

Download the Live Service Gaming Summit Agenda Here

LiveOps in the Cross-Platform Arena: Key Considerations

Adapting LiveOps for a cross-platform world requires a multi-pronged approach:

• Platform-Agnostic Content Design: Develop core content and features that seamlessly translate across platforms, ensuring a consistent experience regardless of the device players choose.
• Platform-Specific Optimization: While maintaining a unified core experience, tailor certain aspects of gameplay, controls, and monetization strategies to the strengths and limitations of each platform.
• Cross-Platform Progression: Players crave a sense of continuity, regardless of platform. Implement a robust cross-progression system that allows players to access their characters, unlocks, and progress seamlessly across different devices.

Juego Studios say that multi-platform compatibility is key:

“Each platform has its own set of standards and requirements, from technical specifications to content guidelines. Developers must be aware of and adhere to these requirements for their game to be approved and published on each platform. This compliance includes aspects such as age ratings, privacy policies, and platform-specific features. Navigating these guidelines requires careful planning and often involves liaising with platform representatives to ensure all criteria are met.”

The Power of Community: Building Bridges in a Diverse Landscape

The rise of the cross-platform player necessitates a renewed focus on fostering a strong, unified community. Here are some key strategies:

• Cross-Platform Communication Tools: Facilitate social interaction and collaboration between players regardless of platform. This could include integrated voice chat, cross-platform guilds, and unified leaderboards.
• Platform-Specific Community Engagement: While encouraging cross-platform interactions, leverage the strengths of each platform's native social features. For example, utilize Discord servers for deeper discussions on PC, while leveraging in-app messaging or guild systems on mobile platforms.
• Embrace Player Diversity: A cross-platform player base naturally leads to a more diverse community. Celebrate this diversity and ensure your LiveOps strategies are inclusive, catering to players from various backgrounds and skill levels.

As Victoria Tran, an award-winning community director at Innersloth and co-organizer at Wholesome Games, says:

“Games actively create communities that are bigger than any one individual, but nevertheless value and include them, if done well. …When we chase predatory monetization practices, are we considering how that impacts our players? When we encourage rabid fandoms or parasocial relationships, what happens to our developers when that goes wrong?”

LiveOps and the Future of Gaming: Embracing the Change

LiveOps is integral to the success of GaaS titles. With the rise of cross-platform gaming and vibrant communities, LiveOps becomes even more critical. By embracing challenges and opportunities, GaaS developers can secure a competitive advantage and shape the future of gaming.

1) Expand Reach and Engagement: Building Communities through LiveOps

By updating a GaaS with new content and events, LiveOps expands reach and engagement. Exclusive events can create excitement, and a strong community built around shared challenges and strategies fosters player loyalty.

2) Boost Player Satisfaction: Keeping the Core Experience Fresh

LiveOps drives player satisfaction by ensuring new content keeps the game fresh. Players remain engaged, and feedback fosters a continuous dialogue between players and developers, maintaining a sense of community.

3) Drive Innovation: A Platform for Experimentation

LiveOps acts as a launchpad for experimentation. Developers can test new ideas with players and integrate successful features into the game, keeping it fresh and pushing boundaries within the GaaS model.

Download the Live Service Gaming Summit Agenda Here