It seems like some assets get changed when switching platforms (say, webplayer to Android or iOS for example). Is it necessary to actually create a copy of the asset folder for each platform? Is there a way to consolidate all platforms in a single asset folder?
Its not neccessary. I’ve worked on huge projects that have been switched between web and mobile and back again. The assets get re-imported as you switch platforms.
Having to manage multiple asset branches per platform would just increase your development time and management nightmares. (Although this is often done when asset optimisations targeted at a specific platform are performed).
So unless you have those target specific optimisations its probably more efficient to just make the switch now and again and go make a cup of coffee while you wait