Microsoft has revealed how gaming of the future may be seamless between platforms, with single titles playing on Xbox’s, PC’s and Mobile Phones. Moving a step closer to Bill Gates’s ‘Live Anywhere’, a system which he spoke of in 2006 where software would be compatible and work seamlessly across a number of platforms, the computer giant adds further attractiveness to their recently revealed Windows Phone 7 Series.
It is one of the ongoing contentions in the gaming world that not all titles are available on all platforms. However, Microsoft is looking to change this, at least for their own various platforms, by developing titles which could be played on their Xbox 360, their mobile phone platform, or by the traditional PC. Speaking at the Middle East based TechEd, Eric Rudder from Microsoft demonstrated the concept with a Visual Studio developed game. Using a gamepad on the Xbox 360, touch controls on the Window Phone 7 Series platform and a keyboard on a PC the game shares up to 90per cent of its codes across variations.
The latest announcement shows a clear strategy for Microsoft in the direction that they wish to see their gaming develop. And whilst currently undergoing dramatic developing, a process which Microsoft hopes will encourage third party developers to add fuel to the fire, the ability to play a game on any platform, switching devices as the game progresses, is very attractive to not only the hardcore gamer.
