While most games these days are made with the console audience in mind (due to sales more than anything), this doesn't seem to be the case with Firaxis Games' XCOM: Enemy Unknown.
This isn't really that surprising since the brand did become famous on the PC. This sentiment isn't lost on XCOM: Enemy Unknown Lead Designer Jake Solomon.
Solomon admits that they "couldn't simply port the console version over to PC," because interfacing with the characters and world between versions "are so different." Additionally, Firaxis even made two complete different UI (User Interface) between the console and PC. It's so different that even the developers take some time to transition between each version.
One thing they did plan but was unable to implement was cross-platform multiplayer. While they originally wanted this, Solomon states,"You have to get a lot of people talking, when that happens, you have to get a lot of people agreeing." So, no cross-platform multiplatform for you lot.
Lastly, Solomon states that both PC and console version have "complete parity" as far as gameplay is concerned. The few key differences aside from the techical aspect are: the grid system, an unbounded save system (including Steam cloud).
Fortunately for gamers everywhere, it seems XCOM: Enemy Unknown won't have have one version better than the rest. But of course we need to find that out for ourvselves once the game hits on October 9.
Source: Joystiq
