With iPhone social gaming networks dealing with the impact of Apple's forthcoming Game Center, OpenFeint is highlighting its future direction.

The current market leader with 28 million users, it's revealed some of the developers using its new cloud-based OpenFeint X platform.

This is designed specifically for freemium online games that use in-app purchases and require a lot of server infrastructure.

Developers - New Zealand-based PikPok (of Flick Kick series), US-based RetroDreamer (Sneezies) and Australia-based Halfbrick Studios (Fruit Ninja) are three of the companies involved in the private beta.

Their as-yet announced games will launch in the second half of 2010.

The first OpenFeint X title will be futuristic dogfighting game CorsAIR from HyperCube Games.

Making the link

"We've worked closely with OpenFeint to develop and refine the concept for our first iOS social game and are excited to launch the title with OpenFeint X support," said Gavin Bowman of RetroDreamer.

"For a developer like us it would be impossible to release a social game and build the necessary server architecture without OpenFeint."

OpenFeint X will help studios build social games without undertaking any server work. It will include support for a virtual goods store, game-specific currency, real time revenue optimisation, and a sandbox for server-side code.

Start a service

"We've had tremendous success promoting our traditional games on OpenFeint and think that now is the perfect time to enter the virtual goods market," said Jos Ruffell, PikPok's portfolio manager.

"With OpenFeint X, we will be able to release and update content in new and interesting ways, benefiting both us and OpenFeint's enormous player community. They really do offer a compelling partnership."

You can sign up for more information about OpenFeint X here.