If you were hoping to play against your friends cross-platform style when Counter-Strike: Global Offensive launches later this year, I’ve got some unfortunate news for you, as Valve has decided to strip such functionality from the PS3 version.
It looks like the functionality will now be limited to PC and Mac users, as Valve made the decision to go with constant updates over the option to include cross-platform play with PS3 users. This is likely due to the strict online infrastructure seen with both the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live that requires patches and updates to go through intensive testing,
Chet Faliszek of Valve explained the team’s decision to Joystiq, saying:
The beta has proved we want to update not just the beta, but the game itself post-launch frequently on the PC. To do that we need to separate the platforms so one doesn’t hamstring the other. So for that, we have removed the idea of cross-platform play — essentially make all platforms stronger by not mixing them.
On several occasions, Valve head Gabe Newell has spoken out against the stringent nature of consoles and the limitations they pose on creativity and innovation.
