Game Center makes iOS debut as first flurry of titles join party

Five months on from its original unveiling, Apple's Game Center has finally launched on iOS as part of the 4.1 software update.

As revealed yesterday, the new online gaming network is available on both iPhone 4 and 3GS, as well as the last three generations of iPod touch, with the first wave of titles updating to make use of the platform.

Apple has also unveiled a dedicated Game Center section on the App Store - both on device and in iTunes - with every game that supports the network listed for perusal.

So far 18 titles have made the leap notable games such as Flight Control, Real Racing and Farmville already on board with Game Center's roster expected to reach the hundreds and thousands as the network beds in.

Trouble in paradise

Game Center's debut hasn't been completely trouble free, however. As reported on Pocket Gamer, some users are having trouble finding friends to add to their profile thanks to apparent problems with the registering of additional email addresses.

Apple allows users to tie several email accounts to their Game Center profile to make it easier for their friends to find them. However, some users are reporting that the associated verification emails are failing to reach their destination.

Devices also apparently need to be rebooted if users don't want Game Center to send push notifications or sound alerts, simply switching both options off in the options menu not enough to disable them post install.

Despite such teething problems, however, Game Center's launch has been relatively plain sailing for Apple so far, with the platform preparing to square up to Microsoft's Xbox Live when the network rolls onto Windows Phone 7 next month.