Unless your internet was out, or you just avoid anything Apple related, you know that there was an iPhone OS 4 preview today at 1 Infinite Loop. Seven “pillars,” the big bullet points that make OS 4.0 a solid upgrade, were introduced. One of the pillars was a feature called GameCenter.
GameCenter is a big step in the direction of making the iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch more solidified as gaming devices. Simply put, GameCenter is a gaming network, a la Xbox LIVE. With GameCenter, you will be able to add/invite friends, and view leaderboards. It will even include matchmaking and achievements.
There are already an estimated 50,700 gaming and entertainment applications in the App Store. This total towers over the titles available on other mobile gaming platforms - Nintendo DS has 4,321, and Sony PSP has 2,477. GameCenter just builds a platform around the already existing content.
I think GameCenter will make for a great addition to the iPhone OS, enhancing the casual games that have already flooded throughout the app store. Xbox LIVE’s social aspects are a great experience, and GameCenter could absolutely compliment that. As gamers, we are all competitive and love to see how we rank against others. Plus, it’s good to know if we are crushing our friends in scores and achievements.
The iPhone OS 4 update is in beta 1 with developers right now, and will be out by this Summer. It will hit iPads this Fall.
Source: CrunchGear
