Take advantage of Windows 8 cross-platform gaming

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One of the features that has started rolling out to Windows 8 this year under its Xbox Games section is the theme of interplatform play In other words, cross-play between different platforms, one of which is Windows 8."

The main advantage of this is that we will not only be able to play between different devices, but also start a game on one and continue on another, with which we gain mobility while the community becomes more great by not being tied to a single platform.We are already a few months into 2013, and there are already two videogames that come with this feature, so we will go on to detail them below, which also have significant differences .

Skulls of the Shogun, the first cross-platform Windows 8/RT, Windows Phone, and Xbox Live Arcade

'Skulls of the Shogun', debut feature from 17 Bit Games, has the honor of being the first cross-platform Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows Phone and Xbox Live Arcade. The image that heads this article perfectly summarizes what we can do with this feature. For example, a four-way game, and each one from a different device. One from his desktop with Windows 8, another with the Microsoft Surface RT hybrid tablet, another with his Windows Phone mobile, and finally the console on duty with his Xbox 360 from Xbox Live Arcade.

The striking thing, and which is quite common on mobile phones, is that being a turn-based strategy game, the games will have a asynchronous mode What does this mean? That it will not be necessary for all four people to be connected at the same time to be able to play together. The first one will carry out his actions, and when the game ends he will notify the next one. As if a game takes us a week. The point is to finish it the way it is and facilitating the work for all users.

Another feature of 'Skulls of the Shogun' is that we can play its campaign from any of these platforms, and continue from another thanks to the option to save game in the cloud. Now, the only drawback is that for this we will need to have paid more for the other version, except in the case of Windows 8 and RT, of course. In short, if we have bought it in Windows 8 and we want to continue on the Microsoft console, we will have to pay those 1.200 MS (15 euros) that costs in Xbox Live Arcade, since the payment is not unified at the moment.

In Windows Store | Skulls of the Shogun

Galactic Reign, galactic strategy between Windows 8 and Windows Phone

'Galactic Reign' has been with us for just over a month, and has the honor of being the second cross-platform Windows 8. Although unlike the work of 17 Bit Games, here we can only play games between Windows 8/RT and Windows Phone. Also before a turn-based strategy game, although with substantial differences in its mechanics since we cannot move freely around here. In 'Galactic Reign' we will be tied to the planets that we are colonizing, and to expand our land we will have to go after the rival ones, winning the contest if we have more units or better equipped.It will not be simply sending a mass of ships, but planning our team well to counteract the rival's. Which takes time.

Where it does share a characteristic with the aforementioned game is in the matter of asynchronous mode Here we will also notify the rival after finishing our turn . With which we can play games in a quite comfortable way, without being aware if the other person is doing well at this time or another. And the fighting, by the way, will be quite lively. They will look like those of a CGI movie, being able to analyze each ship pausing without problems. While the rest of the game interface will be quite flat, with a lot of data involved, which is the fundamental thing.

'Galactic Reign' comes at a more affordable price on Windows 8 (3.99 euros), and on Windows Phone it is compatible with Windows Phone 7.5 and Windows Phone 8. Although here it costs one euro more.

At the moment there are two games, but Microsoft Studios' intention is to enhance this feature on their platforms. Characteristic that, on the other hand, suits turn-based strategy games wonderfully. We will stay tuned for future updates.

In Windows Store | Galactic Reign In Welcome to Windows 8 | The best games for Windows 8 (VII)