not cross platform to nintendo/microsoft systems yet.  just cross-platform to other sony systems or PC.  i expect sony will be fine with it but i'm quite happy to hear nintendo is onboard too.  doubt MS will allow it,.  not without significant pressure like with ever other 180.

...with the ever increasing focus on multiplayer experiences the more games can combined networks to increase the number of community player the better.  this is a great way to multiple the userbase and therefore fun!

This means it's going to be limited to indie and other 3rd party ventures at the moment. Though perhaps if the fanbase really demonstrates a strong predilection to getting games for the cross-buy feature.

im excited for the idea that cross platform play between 3ds and Wii U versions of smash might be possible

i hope this cross platform takes off. i can see if it does MS will be forced to implement it as they wouldnt want to be the odd man out.

MS won't want to implement this at all. It potentially puts Xbox Live subscriptions at risk and that's a huge money spinner for them.

Pure Chess is coming to Wii U and 3DS? That's cool. I really enjoy playing it on Vita, Knytt Underground I didn't really enjoy so much. Would be nice to have more people online to play against on Pure Chess though and it'll look stunning on Wii U as the graphics on that game are surprisingly detailed/realistic.

If I'm not mistaken, Sony was fine with FF14 having cross-play with Xbox but Microsoft would not allow it. That's the impression I got, anyway.

Does this mean I can have Nintendo 3DS friend code friends on my Vita games?

Vita FW 3.01.  Nintendo 3DS Friend Codes bubble.