iPhone OS 4 Brings Game Center [iPhone Gamers Getting Xbox Live-like Social Network, Leaderborders, Matchmaking Coming]

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Gaming is huge on the iPhone, and Apple looks more and more like they’re accepting their place in the mobile gaming space. During the iPhone OS 4 unveil, Apple specifically said that they “blow [Sony and Nintendo] out of the water.” To further add to the functionality of iPhone games, Apple is adding a new social network, dubbed “Game Center”.

To some up Game Center in a nutshell, it’s Xbox Live for iPhones. I’m sure some diehard Apple fans will get upset at the comparison of a Holy Apple Product® to a Microsoft product, but it’s pretty comparable. First off, developers can now add achievements to their game apps via the SDK. Secondly, it will have leaderboards for comparing your high scores against your friends.

Also being added to multiplayer games is matchmaking – you now can be automatically stacked up with a comparably talented stranger or friend for a multiplayer game. You can invite friends to join you in a game too.

A few months ago, gaming analyst Michael Patcher said that Apple, via their App Store, had backed in this powerful position in the gaming industry. It looks like Apple is now going to try to capitalize on that with this interesting new stuff that they’re rolling out.

My first impressions – it adds a tone of seriousness to the iPhone gaming scene. A lot of those $5 games are (to be blunt) cheap and stupid. With an Xbox Live-style back end to give you achievements, matchmaking and leaderboards, I think it legitimatizes the whole App Store gaming section.

Granted, you’ll still be playing flatulence-themed tower defense games, but now you can do it with your buddies and be earning achievements, too.