More on Apple’s Game Center for iPhone, iPod Touch

The recent Apple press release regarding the new iPod Touch was a little skimpy on details concerning the upcoming Game Center but here’s what we’ve gathered so far from the recent press release, the April 8, 2010, announcement and from the Game Center section of Apple’s site.

Keep in mind that your device will need to be able to run the new iOS 4.1 (new iPod Touch, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 3G) which will be a free upgrade available on September 8, 2010.

Apple’s Game Center Features

Synced with your Apple ID
To utilize the multiplayer aspects it seems you’ll need to create an Apple ID which, if you own an iPhone or iPod Touch (or Mac or…) then you already have one. It’s your iTune name and password when you buy something. The difference is that you now use that for multiplayer gaming as well. You’ll also be able to create what is essentially a gamer tag (“nickname”) and link multiple email address to your nickname so others can better find you. That also means you’ll need to log in every time to tap the Game Center icon.

Online Multiplayer support
This is akin to Friends on other systems. The site mentions being able to, “Invite someone to join, then get a game going. Or choose to automatically go up against people you don’t know from anywhere around the world in a multiplayer game.”

Game Center is an App of its own
This is based on the line, “Games can be started right in the Game Center app.” It’s apparently free to download and should work on any device that can run new new iOS 4.1.

Friends
This part will seem very familiar to gamers. It’s ye olde Friends and messaging but now on a handheld system. You’ll be able to create, and manage yet another Friends list. From the site, “Once you’re signed in to the Game Center app, you can invite someone by sending a friend request using their nickname or email address. Your friends show up in a separate Friends list in the Game Center app. Tap on a friend’s name, and you can see what games they’ve been playing. You can also check out pending friend requests you receive and add as you see fit.”

Leaderboards and Achievements
Want to score more useless life points? Now you can with the iPod Touch and iPhone, too. I’m curious as to how many app developers will bother with these two features, housed in the Game Center.

Auto-Matching
Again not re-inventing the game wheel here, Game Center will match you with like opponents (and partners?).

Site [Game Center] Read [Gamertell]