Cross-platform games

Cross-platform game development

Over the past few years, gamers' expectations have been rising. People want to choose which device to play a title on, and they want a high-quality experience regardless of whether they're using a console, smartphone, or PC. Professional cross-platform game development allows them to meet this demand at a high level. Using modern technologies in such projects makes the process more efficient and reduces costs.

For example:

• cloud solutions are leveled depending on the performance of devices,
• SHI allows you to adapt gameplay to different gadgets and platforms,
• AR/VR technologies significantly expand the capabilities of creating virtual universes.

And each gamer's progress is saved, even if they log in from a PC today, a console tomorrow, and a smartphone a week later.

Universal titles have become the standard of quality. The team at Arionis Studio has been developing cross-platform games on request for many years. Our portfolio includes dozens of successfully completed projects in this format. You can learn more about our latest projects on this page.

What is cross-platform game development?

This term refers to the development of games for multiple operating systems and device types simultaneously. Such apps are created from the ground up as universal, unlike native development, where a separate version of the product is produced for each hardware and OS type. For example, popular cross-platform games on Xbox, PS4, and PC, on phone and PC, and on iOS/Android/PC.

At the same time, the game development product has a single code base. Instead of creating separate versions of the game for Windows, Xbox, MacOS, PlayStation, Android, and iOS, developers use specialized engines and frameworks to create a universal product.

Such games allow users to enjoy the same high-quality gameplay, graphics, and interface regardless of the device they choose. Also, projects adapted for different environments often support cross-progression—the ability to switch between platforms without losing progress. This means a user can start a game on a computer and continue it on a smartphone, console, or smart TV.

Features and benefits of cross-platform games

Developing multi-device games is an optimal balance between performance, audience accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and project speed:

• A single code base for different devices and operating systems. Process optimization and component reuse reduce labor costs, lower project implementation costs, and accelerate production.
• Fast time-to-market. Because developers create a universal product, there's no need to test separate versions for each platform—launching is much faster than with a native format.
• A unified user interface. The UX/UI of cross-platform games is unified—it appears identically across all devices and operating systems. This development format simplifies audience engagement and improves the user experience, ensuring a seamless gaming experience.
• Simplify version and update control. A common application logic, shared across all target environments, simplifies version control, reducing the likelihood of errors. A unified approach simplifies the synchronized deployment of updates across all operating systems and devices simultaneously.

For businesses, cross-platform game development helps expand their audience, increase engagement and replayability, reduce project costs, and speed up time to market. This is achieved by creating a single product that spans multiple operating systems and device types, accessible to millions of users worldwide.

To create a high-quality multi-device game, you just need to carefully select the tech stack and consider two key aspects: an interface that's easy to use across multiple screens and stable data synchronization between different environments. The Arionis team can help you with both.

How Cross-Platform Games Are Developed: Nuances and Peculiarities

Creating multi-device game development applications requires a strategic approach. Using cutting-edge development techniques and up-to-date frameworks is crucial. After all, such universal titles must operate efficiently and reliably across various software environments and natively comply with the specifications of each.

How to optimize your game for different platforms

To ensure stable application operation on all target operating systems, Arionis uses adaptive graphics settings, cloud-based scenario storage systems, and multi-stage testing.

To effectively expand your audience through cross-platform play, it's important not only to make your game accessible across multiple platforms, but, above all, to ensure a high-quality user experience. The following solutions are available:

• cross-play feature, which allows players to participate in tournaments and other events across different platforms, regardless of the device they are using;
• synchronization and saving of progress in cloud services;
• Universal, adaptive interface design that adapts to different screen resolutions.

While additional features impact the cost of developing cross-platform games, their integration significantly improves the product's competitiveness in the market and its alignment with audience expectations.

What methods do we use to develop cross-platform games?

When creating titles for multiple environments and device types simultaneously, we use effective, proven techniques:

• modular scalable code that allows for quick changes and adaptation of the product;
• Graphics and performance optimization – LOD scaling and texture compression for efficient game performance on various hardware configurations;
• cloud storage systems that allow instant switching between devices without losing progress;
• extensive testing using automated systems, emulators and real target hardware;
• Responsive support and updates ensure timely content updates, keeping your audience interested and engaged for a long time.

A comprehensive approach to cross-platform custom game development effectively overcomes differences in hardware, operating systems, and control methods, ensuring stable application operation, consistent UI/UX design, and a comfortable gameplay experience.

Arionis optimizes the performance of such game development products through adaptive graphics settings and optimized programming methods. Using Unity and Unreal Engine for cross-platform game development eliminates the issue of differences in operating systems, technical capabilities, and graphics device APIs. This ensures compatibility, modular architecture, and isolation of platform-specific and automated build pipelines.

To ensure equal and fair conditions for all users, regardless of their device's performance and capabilities, we utilize powerful network systems. These solutions synchronize gameplay, compensate for connection delays, and ensure stable interactions despite differences in controls and performance.

It's also important to consider the specifics of certification, monetization, and data protection for each target platform and operating system during development. This means that when creating cross-platform games for PC and Android with multiplayer, or for PS4/5 and PC, the technical requirements will differ.

Stages of cross-platform game development

There are many nuances that require attention when creating games for multiple platforms and devices simultaneously. Therefore, clear technical specifications, careful selection of tools, and coordinated efforts during the production process are critical. Particular attention must be paid to selecting the appropriate engine and accurately tuning gameplay for the target environments.

Arionis takes a systematic and iterative approach to cross-platform custom game development – at each stage of the project, the team coordinates the results with the client.

Step-by-step work plan:

• Market and niche research. Before starting development, we analyze competitors and audiences, discuss the genre, technical requirements, target platform pool, possible solutions for achieving the stated objectives, and the potential of the future product.
• Preparing the technical specifications. Based on the collected information, we create the game's technical specifications, which outline the title's structure, functionality, interface features, technology stack, and implementation timeline. Once the technical specifications are approved by the client, we calculate the cost of developing a cross-platform game for the project and begin the production process.
• Design. At this stage, we develop the game app's logic, architecture, user scenarios, navigation, and mechanics to ensure the interface is intuitive and user-friendly across all devices. We then create a database and a first prototype to test our hypotheses.
• UI/UX design. After the results of the previous stages of production are approved, we develop the style and palette, visualize the game and non-game interface, and test its usability.
• Programming. We develop a cross-platform game – we write code and implement the agreed-upon functionality.
• Testing and preparation for release. At the final stage, we conduct extensive product testing – checking performance, functionality, visuals, and compatibility with different operating system versions and devices.

If it's a cross-platform mobile game for iOS and/or Android, we additionally evaluate it against the App Store and Google Play requirements. If necessary, we refine the product and deliver the final version to the client along with all the necessary documentation and materials for launch on target platforms and operating systems.

Arionis also offers support as part of its cross-platform game development services. This stage includes content updates (integration of new characters, seasonal events, additional options, etc.), as well as rendering optimization based on target audience feedback.

Technologies and tools

Due to the specific nature of multi-device titles, choosing the right engine and other solutions is critical to the successful implementation of a project. Arionis selects the appropriate stack for each task individually. Our developers use modern tools for creating cross-platform games, allowing them to effectively address each client's needs:

• Engines – Unity, Unreal Engine.
• Programming languages – C#, C++, JavaScript/TypeScript, Lua.
• Frameworks – we make cross-platform games using Flutter, React Native from WebView/WebGL, and Xamarin.
• Testing and debugging – Firebase Test Lab, Appium, TestFlight, Unity Test Framework, Crashlytics, Sentry.
• Services and APIs – Photon, Mirror, PlayFab, Google Play Services, Game Center, Steam SDK.
• CI/CD and build – GitHub Actions, Bitrise, Jenkins, Unity Cloud Build.

Using a flexible and broad technical stack allows us to create high-quality, scalable projects with excellent performance and compatibility. This also ensures rapid production, budget optimization, and a comfortable user experience. After reviewing the project, we'll create a toolkit that will effectively support your project.

Where to order cross-platform game development

Arionis Studio has been creating game development solutions for various devices and platforms for many years. We develop cross-platform VR/AR and online games, and implement computer and other projects, including those using AI and blockchain technologies. We work with various genres and products of any complexity, from mobile, browser-based arcade games, and Telegram clickers to multiplayer MMORPGs and Web3 titles.

Cross-platform game development is one of the company's core services. A well-coordinated team of game designers, programmers, testers, and other specialists with deep industry expertise and years of experience has successfully completed dozens of such projects.

We offer full-cycle cross-platform game development (from concept to shooting). We also offer outsourcing, outstaffing, dedicated IT teams, and project collaboration.

We approach each task individually and systematically, strictly adhering to technical specifications, meeting deadlines, and maintaining accountability. If you have a question or would like to calculate the cost of cross-platform game development for your project, please request a consultation. Arionis experts will contact you to discuss the details and transform your concept into a high-quality product.