Network Gaming Servers - Cross Platform?

[Undertoad]

So far, the worlds have not collided.

In the case of the PC games, the game publishers sometimes run servers but mostly it's the rest of us doing it, because the secret is, a server is just a goddamn computer and many people have access to a place where they can stick a box on a network. In BF2, many clans operate their own servers so they can set their preferred rules and access. EA or somebody offers server rental plans, which make it even easier to set up.

In the case of Xbox Live, MS runs the entire operation... and charges a rather high fee for players to be on the network. In the case of the PS network, Sony runs the operation and gives access to it for free.

The console people would, IMO, require their own specialized controllers in order to compete successfully against the PCers. We PCers have access to more controls (104 keys, usually programmable in game) and -- again IMO -- keystrokes on a keyboard combined with the right-hand dedicated mouse, are faster and more precise than joystick maneuvering, for most things.