Pure Chess, alongside the Nnooo-published Cubemen 2, is forging ahead on new ground for Nintendo systems by introducing cross-platform online multiplayer. In both cases Wii U players (also on 3DS in the case of Pure Chess) will be able to take on other players that are on smartphone and tablet platforms, another demonstration of Nintendo's increasingly supportive and open approach to download-only games.

While hooking up with multi-functional iOS and Android systems is a pleasing progression, Pure Chess publisher Ripstone has confirmed that it's planning to open up its multi-platform multiplayer to allow Nintendo system owners to tackle those that have the game on the PS4 (when released), PS3 or Vita — actual console wars, in chess at least. Here's what Riptone's Phil Gaskell said to Eurogamer about Nintendo's approachability and the plans to bring Sony and Nintendo gamers together in the title.

They're (Nintendo) changing their policies on the technical side a lot swifter. We're launching Pure Chess and Knytt Underground later this year, and on Pure Chess we asked whether we could do cross-platform multiplayer, expecting it to be the typical closed console platform I've been used to working with for 20 years. Within a couple of days they said, 'yep, no problem. You can have other console players playing against Wii U players. You can have smartphone players play against them. No problem.'

We're still talking to Sony about them relaxing their policies, but we don't think they'll have any issue with it. So when we launch Pure Chess you'll be able to play against Wii U, 3DS, iOS and Android players. And when we patch PlayStation those consoles will be added into the mix as well.

Gaskell also explained his company's thinking in moving to Wii U, despite existing sales and userbase figures not necessarily inspiring confidence.

When I read about people like EA pulling out of the console, I perk up because I think, well, if they're not serving the audience that exists with games someone needs to.

I know by looking at some of the statistics that while Wii U doesn't have a huge audience right now, that audience has a voracious appetite for content. And if no-one's going to serve them games, well, Ripstone will, without a doubt.

Indie games don't need huge audiences They're often personal and niche creations. They only need niche audiences to be profitable.

Would you like to see more multi-platform games support online multiplayer across different consoles, and what do you think of Gaskell's comments? Let us know in the comments below.

[source eurogamer.net]