Apparently gamers don't like it because they think it's unfair. That depends on how you deal with it as a designer. For years, PC players of FFXI could not use their PC's and play on the same machine (unless we violated our Terms of Service and ran Windower). Meanwhile PS2 users had their computers free to look things up online while playing. We got through it anyway, and now that PC users can run in a window, game balance has not shifted. If anything is unfair about cross-platform play, it's that the weakest platform holds back development when it comes to future expansions. Hey developers: If you're afraid we'll think it's unfair, put players on the various platforms on their own servers. That way everyone plays alongside others on the same platform. Later, if you want to release an expansion that just can't run on one platform , I dare say most of us would consider switching platforms if you give us a compelling reason to do so.

A simple fact about the world is no matter what a person/company has to offer theres always going to be people who complain about it. Some will complain they can't play cross platform and others wil complain they can, personally i'm for cross-platform play. Any responsible developer out their would likely take any and all steps to provide a fair and balanced product and if they dont, well... don't buy it. FFXI is a shining example of how it can work, three platforms and while playing I'd never even be able to tell which system another person has unless i took the time to ask them.

If players actually says they like crossplatforms on different forums, what makes him think they are lieing ? Does he know for SURE what players want ?! Heck, if a game developper knew what players exactly wanted, they would have done the most awesome online and offline game for a good while... But it's not the subject.

Crossplatform proved it was pretty good for FFXI, or at least that's what I believe ^^ Of course it can't be that good for all games, but MMORPG in general could benefit from crossplatform. Now, the Agency beeing, apparently an Online Shooter, might not benefit from it. Let's face it, a mouse will be much easier for aiming at others than a controller. Of course you can have a mouse for the PS3, but still... As for the unfair statement, I guess it's their job to try things to balance the 2 platforms. Although I doubt they're gonna spend(waste ?) time on that, even if it could benefit them in the end(Why bother balancing things when you can just split both platforms :P )

• • HS: Yay for long post with no spaces >.>; It would be nice to be able to add like a bit of HTML, or even just BBCode or whatever to make separations if possible ^^' **

I just know FF11 would be alot emptier of only playstation users were in it >>. The only time I was upset about a mutliplatform game was when I bought my PS3 under the assumption certain games would be exclusive to it, and now that i have it, It seems like it didn't matter which console I got, I'd still be playing the new FF when it comes out.

How has FFXI benefitted from cross platform play? Two heavily overuesd words: "PS2 Limitations" If this game was only on the PC, we'd be seeing graphical and technical updates of a higher level of sophistication, and the game would be looking, feeling, and playing like games released 5 years later.

PSO was a cross platform MMO between dreamcast and PC, that was done in the same instance, BUT the two systems ran on a windows based OS so that could be a contributing factor to their compatability, needless to say SE wasn't the first to push cross-platform play on an online game. I think the cross platform is a good idea for an MMORPG, I have a friend who plays on 360 and Im glad he does, because we have the oppertunity to play together. I do feel though that SE should have waited for a complete next-gen crossover instead of releasing the game for PS2, if a PS3 compatible version was brought out I feel the game might not have had so much developmental limitations (theres that word again.)

I am glad of the cross platform. When FFXI first came out my daughter was only 14 and I wanted to be sure of her safety. I bought the PC version. We continue this day to play together. And now her brother plays with us and he has Xbox.......... So yes thank you for the cross platform,

Cross platforming overall expands a wider audiance and thus makes for a greater success. However, exceptions to this is when the hardware platforms released upon are so diverse, one platform ends up benefiting far more than the other in many factors including gameplay.

Just look at how much the PS2 is holding back FFXI from it's true capacity. Or how PS3 games will always look cleaner, crisper, and have more content available due to it's internal hardware and blu-ray player in comparison to the 360.

The trick is to expand on multiple platforms that both are within reasonable capability within each other and holds no greater benefit over the other.

I don't know much but, I think PS2 would end just like how the PS1 did and the PS3 would be use by every and maybe just maybe FFXI would only be play on Xbox,PS3 and PC and would not hold back from it. Just what am thinking

The disappointment that gamers feel certain features that PC users have like access to a "web browser" is unfair. Leaving PS2 and like systems out of it, many people like myself, feel that there should be no reason why access to web pages, even if it was accessed via game interface to access game information sites, should not take place. Another feature of voice chat groups are restricted to individual platforms. Those 2 features would create a gaming world without limits. Much of the cross-platform problems is caused by the platforms themselves. Refusal by Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo to add these features causes unneeded platform wars.