Crossplay: Power In Numbers is a new report from Improbable, which explores the size, opportunity and complexity of 'crossplay' games - which can be played across multiple devices.
The new normal
We’ve come a long way since cartridges and split-screen. Games are live, multiplayer is global and competing platforms are now connected.
The arrival of live-service, multi-platform titles like Fortnite and Fall Guys gives them new and exciting ways to do this, expanding the possibilities of the multiplayer gameplay experience.
But while life got better for players, it got significantly harder for developers. Creating multiple versions of the same game for numerous platforms and storefronts, while also managing regular releases across them all, is far more complex than building a single platform, single release game.
For so many years, groups of friends have been separated by the inability to play across different platformsJohn Wasilczyk
The result? An enhanced gameplay experience, and an opportunity for studios and publishers to create games that players keep coming back for.
Reach 3.2 billion gamers
With the number of gamers continuing to grow globally and the value of the games market projected to reach $256.97 billion by 2025, the opportunities to reach more than three billion gamers through crossplay titles are growing.
Improbable's vice president of UK and China games studio, John Wasilczyk, said: "One of the most exciting trends that we’ve seen in video games over the last few years involves huge companies and corporations coming together to be more flexible and do what’s right for the player. This is what’s core to the crossplay experience.
For so many years, groups of friends have been separated by the inability to play across different platforms. They would have to make an almost tribal choice of which platform to play on. But with the advent of crossplay, games are far more accessible to groups who no longer need to make this choice. Players now have more access to more people around the world anytime, anywhere."
The full Crossplay: Power In Numbers report is entirely free to download. It includes valuable case studies, and real-world examples of games that have enabled crossplay from the outset, as well as titles that have incorporated it after release.
The report offers developers and publishers insight into how they can plan and implement cross-platform multiplayer gaming and where they can find help and support when needed.
The report can be found and downloaded here.
