Crossplay the ability to play the same game across different platforms is becoming an essential feature for competitive and co-op games alike. Once a coveted luxury, it’s now expected by players who want to connect with their friends, no matter the device they’re using. However, as crossplay becomes the norm, players are beginning to demand more: they want not just crossplay, but also cross-progression and unified cosmetics. That’s where things start to get complicated.
While crossplay allows players on different platforms to play together, cross-progression takes things a step further by enabling players to maintain their progress across all platforms. This means that when you play a game on your console, you should be able to pick up right where you left off when switching to your PC or mobile device. However, achieving this level of seamless transition requires overcoming several challenges, especially on the business side of things.
Cross-progression involves more than just linking accounts between different platforms. It requires managing entitlements, ensuring compliance with platform policies, and dealing with the often complex economics of in-game currencies and purchases. For instance, if you buy in-game currency on one platform, can you use it on another? What happens when a platform takes a percentage cut from transactions how do you reconcile the in-game economy when players can purchase content across different storefronts? These are business questions disguised as user experience issues, and they have to be addressed in order to make cross-progression work smoothly.
The push for cross-progression is largely driven by changing player behavior. Players today are more mobile than ever. They switch devices frequently moving from console to PC, from handheld to laptop, or from one platform to another depending on where they are and what they’re doing. When a game doesn’t allow them to continue their progress seamlessly across different devices, it feels outdated and restrictive. Gamers no longer want to be tied to a single platform for their gaming experience. They expect to be able to start on a TV, pick up where they left off on a mobile device during their commute, and then continue on their laptop when they get home.
In this new gaming landscape, studios that manage to implement cross-progression effectively will earn the kind of loyalty that’s hard to replicate. Players who feel like their progress is truly portable and their experience is consistent across platforms will continue to engage with a game and its ecosystem. These players are less likely to churn, and more likely to spend money within the game because they feel their investment time, effort, and money is respected and preserved. A seamless cross-progression system creates a feeling of continuity, making it easier for players to stick with a game long-term.
On the other hand, studios that fail to deliver on cross-progression will face the same question repeatedly, under every new announcement or update: “Does my progress carry over?” The pressure will continue to build, and players will grow frustrated when they can’t carry their hard-earned achievements from one platform to the next. This could result in a loss of player trust, as they feel the game is restricting their experience or leaving them behind if they switch platforms. A lack of cross-progression can make a game feel less modern and more frustrating, which could push players to look for alternatives.
The demands of cross-progression also extend to unified cosmetics. Players expect their skins, outfits, and other cosmetic items to follow them across platforms. If you’ve spent time and money unlocking a specific cosmetic on one platform, it feels unfair to lose access to it just because you decided to play on another device. The ability to access the same cosmetics across all platforms is not just about convenience it’s a core part of the experience, especially for players who invest heavily in customization. Games that allow this seamless flow of cosmetics across platforms give players a sense of consistency and investment that’s key to maintaining engagement.
Ultimately, crossplay, cross-progression, and unified cosmetics represent the next evolution of player expectations. While crossplay is becoming an industry standard, cross-progression is rapidly following suit. Studios that can figure out how to handle the logistical and business challenges of cross-progression will set themselves apart, building loyal fan bases and offering an experience that feels modern, flexible, and player centric. For those that don’t, the questions will continue to pile up, and players will begin to look elsewhere for the seamless, connected experience they crave.
In conclusion, the future of gaming lies in seamless integration across platforms. Crossplay is now expected, but cross progression and unified cosmetics are quickly becoming the next battleground. Studios that master these features will build long-term player loyalty, while those that fail to address them risk being left behind. The key takeaway: players want a connected, flexible experience that lets them move freely between platforms without losing their progress, and they won’t settle for anything less.