Cross-progression

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Three kinds of cross

Three different promises:

Progress that follows the player

Google's rule for games on Google Play Games on PC: "your cloud save solution must work across platforms. This way a player can freely switch between PC, Android, and iOS without losing or resetting progress."

Quick check

A player builds a garden on their phone, then opens Shard Garden on Steam. What should they see?

  1. The same garden, after signing in
  2. A new empty garden
  3. A message to use their phone
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The same garden, after signing in

Cross-progression means one garden per player. Signing in connects the PC to the same account.

One account, many sign-ins

Remy gives each Shard Garden player one studio account. Each platform's sign-in, such as Steam or Google Play, is linked to it.

When two devices change the garden while offline, the server merges both changes or asks the player which to keep. It never deletes one silently.

True story: PlayStation opens the door

On 26 September 2018, Sony announced an open beta for Fortnite "that will allow for cross platform gameplay, progression and commerce" across PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Windows and Mac.

Sony said that after "a comprehensive evaluation process" it had "identified a path toward supporting cross-platform features". It called this "a major policy change".

Source: PlayStation Blog: Extended Fortnite cross-play beta launches on PS4 (26 Sep 2018), blog.playstation.com

Quick check

What did the beta add for Fortnite players on PlayStation 4?

  1. Playing, progress and purchases shared with the other platforms
  2. A new map
  3. Lower prices
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Playing, progress and purchases shared with the other platforms

Gameplay, progression and commerce: all three kinds of cross at once.

Purchases on the App Store

Apple's guideline 3.1.3(b) lets apps give players content "acquired in your app on other platforms or your web site, including consumable items in multi-platform games, provided those items are also available as in-app purchases within the app."

Coins across devices

Kai wants coins bought on Steam to work in the iPhone app. What does Apple require?

  1. The same coins are also sold as in-app purchases in the iPhone app
  2. Nothing: Steam coins always work
  3. Players must buy them again
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The same coins are also sold as in-app purchases in the iPhone app

Under 3.1.3(b), items bought elsewhere can be used, as long as the app also sells them through in-app purchase.

A new machine

Shared progress is ready. The game itself still has to run well on each new device.

Bolt says: Next: porting.

Fact-checked 12 October 2026