Final Fantasy publisher Square Enix recentlyh took an interesting approach to cross-platform development -- using DS source code to spawn the Wii version of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time.
At the CESA Developers Conference (CEDEC) in Yokohama, Japan, Square Enix game director Mitsuru Kamiyama and Nintendo technology support sub-manager Masaru Mitsuyoshi talked about the challenges in developing a DS-based game for the Wii.
"Echoes of Time was originally intended only for the DS, but our president at that time insisted that all titles be multiplatform," said Kamiyama. "So we decided on a Wii version, but with the condition that it be created based on the source code of the DS version."
Graham Russell: "Generally, when you’re looking to play a game with friends, it’s much easier to do it on a home console. With portables, each player usually needs a system, and most need a copy of the game (and maybe some funky cables, if you go back enough). Generally, people haven’t bothered to take advantage of the technology. Of course, if you’re a crazy person like me, that’s more of an incentive than a barrier."
SPC: "Last week began the five week series of what I perceive to be the 50 best Nintendo DS games of the system's exhaustive library... This week we delve into ten more top titles for the Nintendo DS, one of the best-selling dedicated gaming platforms of all time, currently at around 150 million units worldwide across all revisions. On these ten titles for this week, we have a menagerie of memorable characters and series like Mario, Mega Man, and Sonic the Hedgehog. Remember that these games must have released in North America to be on this list. With that out of the way, are you ready for round two?"
Gaming Gauge writes:"It’s not a secret that I’m a massive fan of Square Enix’s Crystal Chronicles series, and oddly enough it was the second DS entry, Echoes of Time, that really cemented the series as one of my favourites. This was because it took the addictive multiplayer action online and really concentrated on making the experience natural and easy. There unfortunately hasn’t been a new entry in that style since then(fingers crossed there’s a new one at E3) but I was very excited when I heard that Square Enix was working with n-space on a new online dungeon crawling, hacking and slashing adventure for the 3DS; finally something to satisfy my hunger! My thought immediately went to how Square Enix should concentrate on this ease of use again and what lessons they should take away from Echoes of Time."
I want to see the Pollux engine used again for downloadable titles but not for full retail Wii games.
Either that or only use it for a multiplayer component on Wii games, with the rest of the game being tailor made for the Wii.