As an avid gamer (not quite hardcore status yet...) I do enjoy playing great games on my console at home. 2010 has already proven itself as one of the best years in gaming and opened the floodgates for even bigger projects to come. One thing that has recently intrigued me is the the war of Apple and Microsoft spilling into the gaming industry. If you haven't heard by now, Apple announced it's new Game Center service as apart of OS 4 for the iPhone/iPad platforms. What the great and mighty Steve Jobs claims, is a new and innovative take on social gaming, allowing players to, socially game on the go. This isn't the first time game company has boasted their social gaming capabilities. For example, Sony currently implements their PlayStation Store on the PSP and contains a decent library of online multiplayer games (Check out Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake!!!) The Nintendo DS, although not much of a online device, has strong support for multiplayer games. But Microsoft is moving to contend with the Game Center by releasing Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Windows Phone 7.
Personally, I feel Apple's notion was a slap in the face because they hold no real experience in the game industry. Most games that are released for iPhone are gimmicky time-passers (Much of like what happened to the Wii). They must be doing something right for games to be the most popular category. But I have to remember that the real target market isn't based on you and I, it is based on those casual gamers, the people who play games while waiting to see the doctor. On the other hand, I feel as though it will allow people to embrace gaming as a whole, instead of breaking it down into classifications.
No matter which way you look at it, Apple Game Center will inevitably change people's perception of video games. And perhaps I seem to be under analyzing the potential benefits of what AGC has to offer. Instead of being open to only big name development studios (Xbox LIVE), AGC will allow small developers the keep their content on the iPhone at low prices.
Mashable - Apple Gaming Center
PC World - What Apple Game Center Means to iPhone Gamers
PC World via Yahoo News - Is Apple's IPhone OS "Game Center" a Nintendo DS Killer?
Cnet News - Apple's Game Center is not worrying game networks
ReadWriteStart - Apple's Game Center: More Opportunities for Social Game Developers
See my thoughts here:
FT.com
Bret On Social Games
