We wish to develop a game which will work on Linux, Windows, Android and iOS. Which software architectur characteristics should we consider to achieve this?

The correct answer is Portability.

Key Points

• Portability is the ability of software to run on different platforms and operating systems with minimal or no modification.
• For a game to work seamlessly on Linux, Windows, Android, and iOS, the architecture must prioritize portability.
• This ensures that the game code can be compiled or interpreted in a way that is compatible with each operating system.
• Portability can be achieved by:
  • Writing platform-independent code using programming languages like Java, which operates on a virtual machine.
  • Utilizing cross-platform frameworks or engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine for game development.
  • Abstracting platform-specific details using libraries or APIs that are supported across multiple systems.
• Without portability, the game would require significant rework to be adapted to each platform, increasing development time and cost.

Additional Information

• Other characteristics like extensibility, maintainability, and configurability are important but secondary to portability when designing a cross-platform game.
• Extensibility ensures the game can be enhanced with new features but does not directly address compatibility across platforms.
• Maintainability focuses on how easily the software can be updated or debugged, which is separate from platform support.
• Configurability deals with the ability to customize game settings or behavior, which does not inherently solve cross-platform challenges.
• Portability is the cornerstone of cross-platform development, making it a critical consideration for the given scenario.