Why can't we have a 'buy once, play anywhere' gaming model?

zdnet: It’s 2011, why can’t I buy a game and be able to play that on whatever gaming platform - PC, PS3, Xbox 360 - I have access to?

It’s not as crazy as it sounds. I can buy movies in a ‘triple pack’ that features Blu-ray, DVD and a digital copy, I can read my Kindle books on pretty much any platform at my disposal, I can take my Audible.com subscription with me wherever I go. But when it comes to gaming, why can’t I buy a game that allows me to play it on multiple platforms?

[Pandamobile]

Because the rest of the world isn't as cool as Valve.

[I_find_it_funny]

you can, there are 1000's of different PC's you can play your game on most of them

[zeal0us]

activision&others would their best block this from happening.

[Inside_out]

.
Sony and Nintendo really want to make their exclusives as the reason to buy their consoles...maybe they are right. Sony and Nintendo will never be able to compete with emerging giants like Apple and Goggle. Look where M$ was 6 years ago and where they are today.

All of gaming will be in the cloud. I don't like it but it will happen regardless if anybody likes it. They want it there, but they, the industry, should be careful what they wish for.

All devs and pubs will eventually be an icon on a screen. Click on it and if you've paid your membership, start gaming, watching a movie, talking via skype with friends and family, sharing pictures, videos, do your banking...in other words, just like you are doing now.

Sony and Nintendo are on the outside of that world vision but they are starting to see the light and making moves to compete. Niny want Steam to be a part of the Wii U ecosystem...see what I mean. :D

[galgor]

This kind of playing is inevitable. At the moment there's just too much money to be made.

[wallis]

THIS. NOW.

[BeastlyRig]

We need steam ecosystem..