Announced back in April when Steve Jobs previewed the iOS 4.0 SDK at WWDC 2010, Apple's default social gaming platform Game Center has gone live as part of the iOS 4.1 release.
Of course, it's not live for all Apple hardware with iPhone 2G, iPhone 3G and first generation iPod touches not being supported, while iPad won't get Game Center until the release of iOS 4.2 in November.
Plugged in
More importantly than the framework itself however is that games need to be updated with Game Center support in order for the functionality - including achievements, global leaderboards, challenges and peer-to-peer multiplayer - to become available.
Some, including Angry Birds, Real Racing, Flight Control and Dungeon Hunter 2, have already been announced, but we expect it to be a busy evening in terms of announcements as developers attempt to gain the attention of iOS 4.1 masses.
Indeed, only then will we get a proper idea how the system works, and whether it offers something new or is a tidying up exercise that will bring the sort of functionality already available from the likes of Scoreloop, Plus+ and OpenFeint to all iOS 4.1 users.
News
Contributing Editor
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.
Top Stories
as
News
5 hours, 5 minutes ago
Nexon banks on big Dungeon & Fighter Mobile China launch as Q1 revenue declines
as
News
6 hours, 15 minutes ago
Netmarble cuts losses but revenue falls in Q1 after lack of new game releases
News
10 hours, 4 minutes ago
Epic Games hit with €1.1m fine for unfair commercial practices in Netherlands
Feature
May 14th, 2024
Matej Lančarič's Squad Busters deep dive: Under the skin of 2024's biggest launch yet
Feature
May 14th, 2024
53 top mobile games in soft launch: Squad Busters, Battle Guys: Royale, Plants vs. Zombies 3, LEGO Hill Climb Adventures, and more
Events
Valencia Indie Summit 2024 | Europe | May 16th |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 16th |
Digital Dragons | Europe | May 19th |
GamesBeat Summit 2024 | North America | May 20th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Nordic Game Spring 2024 | Nordic | May 21st |
Impact 2024 - Indie Games | May 23rd | |
Morocco Gaming Expo | Africa | May 24th |