In Search Of The Continuous Gaming Platform

Thanks to The Register for its Faultline-reprinted analysis discussing the concept of making games that are playable on multiple hardware devices. The analyst argues: "Games writers now need to move on a generation to what we shall call 'continuous immersive absorption' into a game. That means that the play should... have elements that are played on a big home based screen, have elements of play that are ideal for a mobile gaming platform or phone so that it is portable on trains and cars and even the playground, and it should have communication elements that see players interact." The piece goes on to churn out much general analysis, but is the concept that "[Game]play should be able to proceed on the home platform, and on mobile platforms, and on your PC at work or school" a viable or attractive one?

Comments

Kind of like Sauron's Game

[biome237]

One game to rule them all type thing. Or other bizarre macho stuff. Sounds kind of boring, probably more diversity and innovation would be better.

This is, IMO, a crap idea

[Operating Thetan]

Assume 2 things
a)That most players want to follow the optimal strategy in a game.
b)To encourage adoption of cross platform content, success in one platform will aid another in a unique way(eg the foozle can only be obtained on the GBA, and the whatsit on the GC)

You end up with a situation where to fully explore the game, I have to play it on multiple platforms, which I may or may not own, possibly buying multiple versions across these platforms. This isn't a gaming innovation, it's a cheap marketing strategy