It's been a common theme on these pages for developers, commentators, and even Nintendo investors to call on Iwata and co. to be a little bit more like its new adversary Apple.

Few have suggested there's all too much the Cupertino giant can learn from Nintendo, however, despite Apple's relatively recent arrival on the portable gaming scene.

Indeed, when we caught up with Crescent Moon Studio's creative director Josh Presseisen for his take on the forthcoming roll out of iOS 5, the one area he suggested the platform is currently found wanting is user customisation.

The new features coming Game Center's way are great, he argues, but Apple still plays second fiddle to Nintendo when it comes to the kind of user engagement Wii has been able to muster.

We asked Presseisen for his take on where iOS should go next.

Pocket Gamer: The update to Game Center looks set to import more Xbox Live-style features. How do you think this will increase user engagement?

Josh Presseisen: Game Center's new features will allow players to communicate better with each other, recommend games, see what everyone else is playing, give suggestions - those features are crucial to building a stronger, and more active community.

We have seen a tremendous cross-interest between our games, especially the RPG's, where players are deeply vested.

They want to play more games, especially the genres that they enjoy most. The new Game Center features will reinforce this aspect.

How do you think its game recommendations will change the promotional opportunities open to you?

The recommendations will really increase the reach of our games. We cross promote between all of our titles, but this takes it one step further for us, and does some heavy lifting at the same time!

Given AirPlay Mirroring requires Apple TV to function, do you see it playing a major role in releases on iOS 5, or is it a first step towards acclimatising iOS users to TV-based play?

It's certainly an interesting way of promoting the Apple TV.

Perhaps with the graphical quality of games we are seeing now - Shadow Gun, Dead Space, Infinity Blade - we will see a greater number of 'hardcore gamers' who were previously glued to their consoles making the leap.

It will take time, but its a first step in that direction.

Do you plan to work support for iCloud into past releases, and more generally, how do you think it will impact game?

iCloud is a great way of connecting your devices and enhancing the playability. We plan on supporting it for future titles as much as possible.

We integrated a cloud based save system in Aralon: Sword and Shadow well before iCloud, and was hugely popular among our players.

I'm glad to see Apple taking a major step in this direction. Makes it easier to implement across multiple titles, and user adoption will be greater than when using a custom system.

Is there anything missing from iOS 5 from a game development perspective?

Personally, I would like to see a built in avatar system with player stats, similar to what Nintendo and Microsoft have done.

I'd like to see that all built into Game Center – I think it will increase the interest in the platform itself, as people love to customise their characters and get attached to them.

We spent hours just creating Mii's and sharing them with others. Imagine if iOS users could do something like that - it would give Game Center another great reason to get players involved.
Thanks to Josh for his time.

You can find out more about Crescent Moon Studios on the studio's website.