Cross-Platform Game Development
Cross-platform game development is a methodology for creating video games that can run on multiple operating systems, devices, or platforms (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, consoles) from a single codebase. It involves using tools, engines, or frameworks that abstract platform-specific details, allowing developers to write code once and deploy it across various targets. This approach aims to reduce development time, costs, and complexity by minimizing the need for separate codebases for each platform.
Developers should learn cross-platform game development when targeting a broad audience across different devices, such as releasing a game on both mobile and desktop platforms or supporting multiple consoles. It is particularly useful for indie developers and small teams with limited resources, as it streamlines development and maintenance. Use cases include creating 2D or 3D games for PC, mobile, and web, where maximizing reach and efficiency is a priority over platform-specific optimizations.