Apple has a share of success regarding gaming platform for iPhone and now possibly iPad. To further enhance its infrastructure, taking cue from Xbox Live and PSN, Apple will develop its own gaming social network called 'Game Center'.
Game Center will feature automatic matchmaking, achievements, leaderboards, and many more. An example of interesting feature will be, let's say a friend wants to challenge you to a game you don't have. You can immediately download/ buy the game.
While Apple didn't specify when this feature will be available, there will be a preview when OS 4 when launches in summer.
It is a right step for Apple to develop gaming social network to enhance its gaming market. It will contribute more value added product into its system, in which at the end more revenue to Apple and game developers.
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I don't quite think apple's a match for Sony or Nintendo.... yet.
ReplyDeleteand IMO the ipad thing just made everything worse...
The problem is the market are now split into casual gamers who will buy any game as long as it entertains them, and the hard-core gamers who (like us) read reviews and only play the good titles.
In 4th, 5th, and 6th generation, publishers would always compete to gain attention of hardcore gamers. but in gen7, Nintendo tried their luck with casual gamers, and it paid off.
Right now, publishers try to make a balance between casual gamers and hardcore gamers...
Iphone and ipad are based on casual audience, so by default, gamers don't care about them. Now apple is trying to make their "cellphones" more appealing to the hardcore gamers. and I don't think that's a wise decision since the hardware is "definitely" not a gaming devise...
BTW: I don't like ipad :-)
Yes we shall wait and see how it develops. But apple is certainly one of the major player in the industry. I haven't seen the iPad but I admit it is a bit pricey.
ReplyDeleteIt's a major player in the casual category, but for hard-core gamers, it doesn't even count. Ipad is pricier than PS3, that makes sure that people won't buy it only for gaming...
ReplyDelete