Steve Jobs announced the release of the Apple iOS Game Center which will feature a new video-game app platform and software platform designed to empower the developers of games for iPhone/iPad. This is designed to help the developers introduce new features like centralized achievements, leaderboards and, the heralded, real-time multiplayer gaming between devices. The new iOS 4.1 with Game Center is due out next week but it will take time for developers to get in the swing.
This could be another stumbling block for Microsoft due to the fact that it was relying on it’s XBox live users to help make it’s comeback in this market. Microsoft has stated that Windows Phone 7 will initially launch with asynchronous, turn-by-turn multiplayer gaming, with real-time live multiplayer coming at some unspecified point in the future.