OpenFeint adds SMS and email invites to iOS set-up

There's no escaping the fact that, with Game Center's release reportedly imminent, online gaming networks on iPhone are set for a major shake-up.

Never one to be left behind, however, OpenFeint has rolled out a new set of 'viral' features that should allow users to connect with each other more readily.

The new set-up which comes as part of OpenFeint 2.6 - lets players send out invites to play specific games to any contacts on their phone via SMS or email.

From Apple to Android

Aurora Feint says iOS is the first in line to receive the new set-up, but OpenFeint on Android will also benefit from the update in the near future.

"With Game Center just around the corner and thousands more games coming on the market every year, effective and unique promotion is more important than ever," says Aurora Feint CEO Jason Citron.

"By creating this out-of-network invite system, we'll help players give more organic game endorsements shedding light on the best games out there and resulting in more game downloads."

Breaking down barriers

The new invites system will cross formats once it has debuted on Android, with Aurora Feint executive chairman Peter Relan saying bringing its community together regardless of the hardware they own is key to everything the company does.

"One glaring problem with today's mobile gaming community is how fractured it is across platforms, OpenFeint is bridging the gap between gamers," adds Relan.

"As we expand cross platform this summer, we're going to roll out services that will help friends that use different device platforms play against each other."

OpenFeint's multiplatform strategy is also one advantage it has over Game Center, which is naturally restricted to iOS.

Other upgrades in OpenFeint 2.6 include a new time-based leaderboard system that includes geo-location services.