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Why Is It So Difficult To Allow Cross-Platform Play?

Posted by Soulskill on from the all-about-the-benjamins dept.

cookiej writes "I just got the most recent version of the Madden franchise ('10) for the PS3. Can somebody explain to me why EA has separate networks for the different platforms, only allowing players to compete with people using the same console? Back in the day, there were large discrepancies between the consoles, but these days it seems like the Xbox and the PS3 are at least near the same level. After so many releases for this franchise, they've got to have a fairly standardized protocol for networking; it seems arbitrary not to let them compete. Or am I just missing something obvious? Is it just a matter of Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network not working together?"

9 of 389 comments (clear)

  1. well I'm sure it varies from game to game by JeanBaptiste · · Score: 5, Funny

    but I do know that the keyboard+mouse guys would _destroy_ the gamepad people in any sort of FPS.

    also emacs is better than vi.

  2. its a good thing! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    We ps3 owners dont want to listen to squeky voice pre-teenagers ruining the game all the time.

    We do not want them. Please god, let them stay on that other console, the one that they can afford.

     

  3. its a really simple answer by Nyall · · Score: 5, Funny

    PS3s are big endian machines.
    Xbox 360s are little endian.

    Q.E.D They can't talk to each other.

    --
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_nullification
    1. Re:its a really simple answer by SEE · · Score: 4, Funny

      Is that a big-endian 11 or a little-endian 11?

  4. Open Standards:Merge Difficulties by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    It is unlikely that there could be any kind of agreement on a common online elements.

    We already know how MS handles an ISO standard like OXML.

    While you could see and shoot at any other player in the game, you can't hit them and they can not hit you.

    Because MS wants you to run out of ammo and buy more.

  5. Re:same as the PC by Rakishi · · Score: 3, Funny

    I would dispute this, also. Mice are more accurate at controlling first person shooters. Better is something different, entirely.

    No in this sense more accurate is better. Why? Because no matter how much ergonomic something is if you spend 99% of your time lying dead on the ground you'll still want to chuck that lovely piece of plastic through the tv.

  6. Re:Why would they... by mujadaddy · · Score: 2, Funny

    You're p cool.

    --
    Populus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur...
    "Force shits upon Reason's back." - Poor Richard's Almanac
  7. Re:vendor lock in by Mongoose+Disciple · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm not sure that you were trying to sell me on mass promiscuity and totalitarianism, but you've succeeded!

  8. BOOM HEADSHOT by kafros · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sorry, what was the question again?