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The best bet: cross-platform games

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How cross-platform games enable players to become more loyal and allow businesses to thrive.

The conversation around cross-platform gaming is loud, today more than ever. Some players prefer one console to another, some like PC s better, and others love their mobile devices. There has been this rivalry between platforms for years now.

This past year in particular we’ve been watching how, slowly but surely, things are starting to change and although there is still some resistance from some elements in the industry, the evidence is right there . We are watching every day how cross-platform games enable players to become more loyal to games and they are allowing businesses to grow in ways we’ve never seen before. 

From the player’s perspective, having the opportunity to play with friends no matter the device they own, just makes things easier and takes the experience of playing to a whole new level. This accessibility is key in allowing the gaming community to connect with one another and encourages players to become loyal to their favorite games.

So, why aren’t all games cross-platform if its advantages are so obvious? 

For starters, the gaming console market is still worth more than PC games by a few billion dollars. As a matter of fact, with PlayStation releasing PS5 and Nintendo, allegedly, working on an upgraded Switch to release next year, the PC game market is expected to drop (to see the stats click here ).

Not to mention the technical challenge that it represents to build one of these games: for it to run smoothly on different platforms, different technologies are needed. And when it comes to how the game runs, consoles deliver amazing game performance and visuals and are generally cheaper than gaming PCs . 

Creating a game with this flexibility does not guarantee success , it’s a lot of work, and naturally, very expensive. As a game creator, you really need to consider if it makes sense for your audience and your game’s business model. And if you do your research and it makes sense for your business goals, it is totally worth it.

Removing the restrictions so players can easily connect, allows a network effect  to happen. One person likes a game, he or she invites a friend, the friend invites more friends and so it goes. The kind of organic growth that cross-platform games allow is massive, and it doesn’t compare with platform exclusive games. 

When given the option, a player can switch freely between platforms according to his preference and resources, which leads to an increased time spent in-game and, naturally, an increase in the CLV (Customer Lifetime Value). According to an Epic games article, published by Gamesindustry.biz, users who cross-played Fortnite generated 365% higher revenue than non-cross-players ( See the full article here ). 

Fortnite, Minecraft, Rocket League, Call of Duty, are great examples of this. All these games are universally beloved because they allow people to connect with each other and to play no matter the device they have access to. Not to mention the economic success this represents! We have seen it all these years with our games Call of War and Supremacy 1914 . The level of success on these wouldn’t be possible without them being cross-platform. 

Cross-platform games are shaping the future of the gaming industry and to ignore it, as a business, would be like tying the rope around your neck. 

The best move to do right now, for a game, is to think about ways to be more approachable for the players and how to make it easier for them to connect with each other and to the game itself. Being cross-platform is one way to start.

If you are interested in continuing the conversation or in publishing our games, feel free to contact us at bizdev@bytro.com .

By Cecilia Luna

Bytro cooperates with War Child UK

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No matter whether you play Call of War or Supremacy 1914, chances are high that you love these games as much as we do here at Bytro. We like to spend our free time conquering the world and challenging other players in global conflicts. At the same time we are aware that we only play a game and that we are fortunate not to have to experience these simulated events in real life.

Unfortunately, there are many people out there who are not as lucky as we are. Aware of this fact, we at Bytro feel obliged to also do our share and help where we can. This is why we are teaming up with our friends at War Child to raise awareness and support children affected by conflict.

War Child delivers vital child protection, education and psychosocial support and is present in more than a dozen countries where violence and armed conflict are a fact of life. Everything War Child does is designed to have a lasting impact and help children build a better future – both for themselves and their communities.

To help the good cause we had a dedicated War Child sales event in November. For each sale 10% are going to be donated directly to the War Child charity.

We would like to thank all our players for your support of the War Child charity. It was great to see everyone coming together to help. Your efforts and commitment were truly inspiring. We managed to raise awareness for the great cause of War Child among 125.528 members of the community and raised 2.211 donations throughout the campaign period! Thank you very much!

In case you missed the opportunity to participate in our War Child sale, but would like to help War Child to support children, feel free to head over to their website and donate directly!

About Bytro
Bytro Labs GmbH is an owner-managed company, which develops and publishes technically sophisticated, browser-based and mobile online games. By now, the games have over 10 million registered users and are available in fifteen different languages. Bytro Labs was founded in 2009 by Felix Faber, Tobias Kringe and Christopher Lörken and is based in Hamburg, Germany. In the past, they were decorated as ‘Founders of the Month’ by the state of Baden-Württemberg and with the ‘Technology Fast 50 Rising Stars’ award by Deloitte.

Press contact:
Phone: +49 (0) 40 36 90 54 02
Email: press@bytro.com

Supremacy 1914: Now cross-platform compatible!

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Bytro releases native mobile apps for the popular World War 1 strategy game

Browser game Supremacy 1914 from Bytro is now available for mobile devices and enables cross-platform play for players. Last week’s release marks the second mobile game release on both major mobile platforms after last year’s successful Call of War launch. This turns Supremacy 1914 into the second genuine MMO grand strategy game available for mobile players on smartphones and tablets.

Online games developer Bytro is consistently following their strategy to create the most advanced cross-platform strategy games around the world. The mobile apps of Supremacy 1914 mark another important milestone in the company’s history as it’s the second step towards a completely new version of Supremacy 1914. The first step was a major graphic and engine update end of last year.

Supremacy 1914 App Icon

In Supremacy 1914, you become head of a mighty nation in precarious Europe after the turn of the century. You face the challenge to become the undisputed sovereign leader of the whole continent using smart diplomacy or simply the brute force of your glorious armies. Strategists can play private rounds with friends or against competitors from all around the world, completely free of charge. Already more than 4.5 million players have registered for this strategy game by Bytro. Supremacy 1914 won the Audience-Award in the Browser Game of the Year-election.

Veteran grand strategy players will see their strategic skills be put to use on the battlefields in this huge World War I game, battling with economy, armies and the ever growing threat presented by opponents. Players can play as Wilhelm II or change history however they like. In Supremacy the imagination and skill are the only limits! Up to 500 players can compete in real time on historical and fictional scenarios.

FEATURES

✔ Real Time Multiplayer
✔ Up to 500 real opponents per map
✔ Realistic distances and unit movement
✔ Multiple maps and scenarios to play
✔ Historically accurate troops and vehicles
✔ Experimental weapons and units of the time
✔ Frequent updates and new content
✔ Forge alliances with other players
✔ Win together in coalitions
✔ Play on all of your devices

The mobile versions of Supremacy 1914 are available in the Google Play Store and iOS App Store:

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bytro.supremacy1914
iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/de/app/supremacy-1914-the-great-war/id1450824654?mt=8
Browser: https://www.supremacy1914.com/index.php?id=177&r=977

About Bytro
Bytro Labs GmbH is a founder-managed company, which develops and publishes technically sophisticated, browser-based and mobile online games. By now, the games have over 11 million registered users and are available in fifteen different languages. Bytro Labs was founded in 2009 by Felix Faber, Tobias Kringe and Christopher Lörken. They were decorated as ‘Founders of the Month’ by the state of Baden-Württemberg and with the ‘Technology Fast 50 Rising Stars’ award by Deloitte.

Press contact:
Phone: +49 (0) 40 36 90 54 02
Email: press@bytro.com

Supremacy 1914: Now cross-platform compatible!

/in , /by

Bytro releases native mobile apps for the popular World War 1 strategy game

Browser game Supremacy 1914 from Bytro is now available for mobile devices and enables cross-platform play for players. Last week’s release marks the second mobile game release on both major mobile platforms after last year’s successful Call of War launch. This turns Supremacy 1914 into the second genuine MMO grand strategy game available for mobile players on smartphones and tablets.

Online games developer Bytro is consistently following their strategy to create the most advanced cross-platform strategy games around the world. The mobile apps of Supremacy 1914 mark another important milestone in the company’s history as it’s the second step towards a completely new version of Supremacy 1914. The first step was a major graphic and engine update end of last year.

Supremacy 1914 App Icon

In Supremacy 1914, you become head of a mighty nation in precarious Europe after the turn of the century. You face the challenge to become the undisputed sovereign leader of the whole continent using smart diplomacy or simply the brute force of your glorious armies. Strategists can play private rounds with friends or against competitors from all around the world, completely free of charge. Already more than 4.5 million players have registered for this strategy game by Bytro. Supremacy 1914 won the Audience-Award in the Browser Game of the Year-election.

Veteran grand strategy players will see their strategic skills be put to use on the battlefields in this huge World War I game, battling with economy, armies and the ever growing threat presented by opponents. Players can play as Wilhelm II or change history however they like. In Supremacy the imagination and skill are the only limits! Up to 500 players can compete in real time on historical and fictional scenarios.

FEATURES

✔ Real Time Multiplayer
✔ Up to 500 real opponents per map
✔ Realistic distances and unit movement
✔ Multiple maps and scenarios to play
✔ Historically accurate troops and vehicles
✔ Experimental weapons and units of the time
✔ Frequent updates and new content
✔ Forge alliances with other players
✔ Win together in coalitions
✔ Play on all of your devices

The mobile versions of Supremacy 1914 are available in the Google Play Store and iOS App Store:

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bytro.supremacy1914
iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/de/app/supremacy-1914-the-great-war/id1450824654?mt=8
Browser: https://www.supremacy1914.com/index.php?id=177&r=977

About Bytro
Bytro Labs GmbH is a founder-managed company, which develops and publishes technically sophisticated, browser-based and mobile online games. By now, the games have over 11 million registered users and are available in fifteen different languages. Bytro Labs was founded in 2009 by Felix Faber, Tobias Kringe and Christopher Lörken. They were decorated as ‘Founders of the Month’ by the state of Baden-Württemberg and with the ‘Technology Fast 50 Rising Stars’ award by Deloitte.

Press contact:
Phone: +49 (0) 40 36 90 54 02
Email: press@bytro.com