So the announcement of Game Center was somewhat of a surprise to me this morning. I figured Apple would just leave that area alone since it is already so crowded with competitors. What does the future hold for these networks? Will they fold or will they evolve? One option would be to embrace and extend Game Center. This could be a viable proposition. Use Game Center as a basis and then add more features that it is missing. The other option is to try to maintain their independence and dominate based on features. I expect that developers will soon start to integrate Game Center by default, and the other networks will begin to fade away unless they take some action. Or perhaps Apple has a plan to provide ways for the existing networks to survive and just integrate under a common framework.
When Apple does something, they mean business. I expect Game Center to absorb and/or eliminate the competing networks, and become the universal standard for new games by the end of the year. OF and Plus+ may keep their servers running to support existing games that use their networks, but no new games will appear on them. Slowly developers will make the jump with their older catalog of titles, and the lights will be turned out at other social network server sites... I'm stuck in the unfortunate position of having multiple new releases planned at the midpoint between now and Game Center's opening/release. Which means I have to support an existing service now, and migrate to GC later if I don't want to delay my releases into the fall
http://twitter.com/SlideToPlay/status/11836342382 Now my English isnt that good, but I gues this means they will force developers to use Game Center instead of OF, Plus+, etc. Quite simple for them aswell, simply dont approve apps which dont. For the gamers out there this is ofcourse awesome; finally ONE gaming network instead of 20 (or, well, 4 big ones I gues). But it's sad how to decide to simply kill OpenFeint and Agon and the likes
This is what we all wanted isn't it? In a funny way, I bet there are even OpenFeint and Plus+ employees who feel at least a little relieved that Apple has finally unified it together. As for their business models? Well OpenFeint is a big brand. I think there could be potential for them to retain relevant by becoming something else, something different… like an App recommendation service, or a great social feature, or something else entirely. Can't you release it minus social features with the promise to add in Game Center when it's available? I think that's what I'd do. Or delay until Game Center's launch and endure to be the absolutely *first* out of the gate to support the service == big promotion among tech sites! Does anyone know if it costs developers to use Game Center, maybe a monthly fee or anything? Or is it provided by Apple completely free?
I'm going to go out on a limb here & guess that Apple won't be completely re-inventing the wheel but partnering somehow with Ngmoco or OpenFeint. My money's on Ngmoco right now.
From our point of view this is good news. A single unified platform just makes more sense. It's a pity for OpenFeint - they put together a cracking product and offered it to us Devs free of charge - but I can't see any real way they can compete with an Apple endorsed platform. The big question from my point of view is migration, will I be able to merge the existing leaderboards from Alien Swing into the new Apple platform? Can we run both parallel for a while so we can transfer player's Achievements onto the new network? The other pertinent questions are how the integration works, and what the restrictions on use are.
I think OpenFeint will become like the windows of PC. Sure, it will more endorsed, but it will have the same features that Gamecenter will offer, for cheaper. They will essentially be equal, but I feel openfeint just sticking around..unless apple legally doesnt let them
this would be the main concern.. will apple ban OF? Agon? and force developers to use game center? what about developers who do custom solutions (like us); where we submit a high score to our website directly.. lets see where apples goes with this one. they could just say "it competes with our offering"
exactly. In a certain aspect, it sounds pretty good. Then you see the blood sweat and tears and think...And the sad part is that Apple can ban these services...not sure if they will, but its a dictatorship. Think of it, apple not allowing flash or creative choice...damn
exactly...but its like apple is taking the backwards approach..or the forwards approach with google going backwards? as in the two are very successful, but through different means. Apple started by making computers and then newtons, ipods, iphones, ipads, then web services like Gamecenter and stuff like iAd Google started with a search engine. then more web services like email. then more, and more, and more!!! Now google is going into hardware, like phones and computers. ironic, wonder who will win xD
I'm really not convinced that there will be major upheaval to the point that many of us fear. Part of my reason for saying so is a belief that yes, Apple wants to control their world but cost is important to them & they'd probably rather not start from scratch. This today re iAds - Apple tried to buy Admob but lost out to Google so bought Quattro instead. HERE Presumably, Apple could have just developed their own in-app advertising product. But I'm guessing that Apple would always rather buy one of the big players than go back to the drawing board. I've guessed that it'll be Ngmoco just because there's an obvious, close relationship. I'm hoping it'll be OpenFeint because Ground Effect already uses it. Just my thoughts - I'm sure we'll all be anxiously awaiting news.
@Pamx: you should check the link from my previous post. Your questions have been already answered... Quote:
@Carlos If you wanted to make that specific point, it might have been helpful to highlight it clearly at the time. If you just wanted to chime in your agreement, then obviously that's another matter.
That's good to hear. I think they may still have a lot of work in front of them now to remain relevant and retain developers. If there is a way to use the unified login and still provide additional services, then that would be one possibility for them. I am sure it will be a common topic at this week's 360 iDev conference!
