Are we ready for cross-platform gaming?

Well, registration for the Windows Live beta are now open, which means that some will be getting the first glimpse into cross-platform gaming. What this means is that those playing on a PC will now be playing with console gamers across Windows Live. 99% of the console gamers that I have talked to about this issue are vehemently opposed to the notion. Playing shooters is challenging enough without having to deal with the speed of a mouse...point, click, boom...headshot.

There's always a chance that MS will give console gamers the choice of whether or not they wish to play with PC gamers, but it seems highly unlikely. What does seem somewhat likely though, is that they will make some control tweaks in an effort to insure an even playing field. Unlike others, being owned by a KB&M gamer isn't my major concern. My worry is that PC games are much easier to modify, which seems to open up the cheat window a little wider than it is currently. People are often reluctant to attempt modifications to their gaming consoles, while playing haxxorz on their PC is second-nature. Now, I am in no way saying that ALL pc gamers are hackers/modders. On the contrary, I have a lot of friends that game on a PC. All I am saying is that it seems to open up even more opportunities for the bad seeds to wreak havoc.

According to a friend of mine who is a staunch advocate of cross-platform, there are some really good aspects of this situation.

"I think you guys are really failing to see the possible applications of cross-platform play. Some developer is going to come up with some brilliant idea that plays to the strengths of each platform while not directly pitting them against each other. For instance, imagine a PC real-time strategy game where you build and command units, but those units are directly controlled by console players (this idea has been done, poorly, by Savage and to some extent Battlefield 2 on the PC). The game would be sold as a separate module for each platform, so you would never see PC players shooting it up with the ground troops.

You guys are too busy complaining about M&K vs. analog accuracy and hacking (which I still contend I've seen more blatant software exploitation on Xbox Live than any PC game in my life) to see the great additions cross-platform play will bring. I continually point to the mod community as one of the single best reasons for cross-platform play. The reason games like Quake and Unreal Tournament have such extreme staying power is because when I go buy one of these games, I know I'm getting that game plus 10-20 other ones that the mod community will eventually create. When I go buy Halo 2, all I get is Halo 2.

Sure, you might have to deal with some nubs on the other end with bad computers, but you also have to deal with people who have crappy network connections on their 360 right now and it's just as bad. However, you have to look at what kind of bonus this adds: dedicated servers. You tell me the idea of a dedicated, password-locked adult-gamer server that can house 32-64 people with little to no maintenance doesn't entice you? With the 360's current network infrastructure you can barely get a game with more than 10 people to play without lagging the hell out of everyone."

He makes some good points, which leaves the argument up for debate. One thing is for sure though, we'll all be finding out for ourselves how it works out because it's going to happen. It's just a matter of how soon.