The video game industry will soon experience a serious change. A change that many feel is for the better.

Currently video game manufacturers and publishers usually sign what is called an exclusivity agreement. What this means is the video game hardware manufacturer, such as XBox, PS3, Wii, etc. has the exclusive rights to the particular game from that publisher.

However, this trend of exclusive offers may be coming to an end. In the November issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, Evan Van Zelfden says that “deals between game publishers and so-called third-party exclusive hardware manufacturers may cease in the future.” Van Zelfden further explains, “that more publishers and developers were willing to create computer games that can be used for different gaming platforms such as the Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation, and Xbox 360 than to grant an exclusive license for a single platform.”

Not having an exclusive license allows publishers to develop a video game for multiple platforms. Van Zelfden agrees, “his games would have a broader market if they were available in cross-platform versions.”

It may be a while before the entire industry jumps on this bandwagon, however, there are a couple of games on the way. Games soon to be released in cross-platform versions include “Devil May Cry 4” and “Grand Theft Auto IV.”

Keep an eye out for this trend and games coming to market soon. Soon you will no longer have to buy only the XBox to get a certain game, etc.