by Thu Nguyen

Created on: October 05, 2010

The future of network gaming is expanding and fast. With the current release of Apple's iPhone latest operating system upgrade to version 4.1, users are getting a taste of Game Center, a new addition to the applications. Already there are over 50,000 game titles in the apps store to date. So users of the game consoles, especially of XBox Live, Wii or Playstation Network might find themselves trending towards the Game Center as well.

This can shift the way gaming will be done on a multi-networking level as not only are the included features attractive, they give bragging rights to those who wants to display their trophies on a global scale. Thus, what we're looking at are automatic matchmaking, leaderboards and achievements. Lets look at how these concepts make the Game Center work, into the aesthetics of the new application and finally the downside.

A Social Gaming Network

The Game Center will be an experiment in integrating the social sphere into gaming. Within the iPhone and from each specific application, you can Facebook, Tweet or even see where your friends are on Foursquare. The same concept can now be applied to gaming. Thus, games that features a multi-player feature can find automatic matches to pair you up in a group. That way you can find others with similar ability as you.

Furthermore, on a global scale, you can see where you stand on the leaderboards which is another concept within the Game Center. Remember, this is a network itself so enabling gaming through Game Center automatically showcases your statistics. This is further true when your own individual achievements are accomplished. Friends whom you have accepted friendships with will be able to see this.

Aesthetics

First time users launching the Game Center app will notice that the environment is very much like a game room. In a sense it looks like a card or pool table as well. The fonts are in a carnival-style format and the banners have accents of colorful ballons to display the stats in friends, games and achievements.

The bottom of the app displays four icons: Me, Friends, Games and Requests. Each of these icons have their own individual pages which displays more information.

Inside the Menu

Me: Here is where your profile is. How many friends you're connected to and even the settings to broadcast to friends about your status can be adjusted. Furthermore, you can see what account you're currently signed into and can sign off from if you choose.

Friends: Find out what is the status of your friends

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