Hundreds of iOS developers have been working with Apple in secret Cupertino-based sessions on apps for the Apple Watch, and now we’ve learned that this list includes game developers. According to two sources, multiple “mass market, casual” game developers have been in the running to show off light games on stage during Monday’s “Spring Forward” event in San Francisco. While Apple could end up not showcasing games next week, we’re still told that they are championing the idea of light weight gaming on the Apple Watch. As one source said, “the iOS gaming ecosystem will be well represented on the Apple Watch despite [the simplicity] of the Software Development Kit (SDK)…
These light weight games are said to be extensions of the full experience on the iPhone, while other games act more like powerful, wrist-worn displays to showcase additional content. For example, we are told that Electronic Arts is working on a WatchKit application for their popular racing game Real Racing 3. The application works in tandem with the iPhone app to display race track progress, competition information, rankings, race results, and countdown timing until the required virtual car repairs during races. EA, notably, demonstrated a racing game at the first iPad event…
Mailbox for Apple Watch <a href="https://dribbble.com/shots/1854409-Mailbox-for-Apple-Watch">Dribble Concept</a>
In addition to games, we are told that several major developers are working on Watch apps for debut as soon as next week. We’re specifically told that Uber has been working on an app to track the driving progress of their incoming Uber car pickup. People familiar with upcoming applications also say that Mailbox, a popular Dropbox-owned email app for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, is working to have an Apple Watch app ready for the hardware’s launch. Dating apps for the Apple Watch, like one from Match.com, are also in development. We recently reported that Panera Bread, Salesforce.com, and major hotel chains have WatchKit apps in the wings.
Workflow, a popular task automation app for the iPhone is also coming soon to the Watch, while Things from Cultured Code is in development, as was announced earlier this week. Working with iOS Maps APIs, third-party apps for transit directions are also said to be coming. Of course, as showcased at the Apple Watch event in September, Facebook and Twitter applications for the Apple Watch will also be ready to go. Unsurprisingly, Apple partner-Nike is working on a fitness application for the Apple Watch that works with its offerings on the iPhone. 1800Contacts is finishing up an app that allows users to order new lenses from their wrist.
Earlier today we revealed additional details about the Apple Watch, including a new Heart Rate Glance feature, an enhancement for reserving battery power, and new details about the device’s customizability. Apple will discuss more details about the Apple Watch’s capabilities, pricing, and launch information on Monday. Apple has been seeking full control of the WatchKit app message, so it’s likely that apps will be a focal point of the keynote. We’ll have full coverage of the 10 AM PST/1 PM EST event, so stay tuned.
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I’m with Steve Jobs on this.
Other than a few puzzle games to test your mind, games are soooooo BORING!
Today’s casual games are. Fun games are on consoles. Fun casual games are old games like crash bandicoot and the like. Those games should be ported to iOS with HD textures like Tomb Raider 1 and 2 were. Angry Birds = boring garbage, but there are plenty that would be amazing, from the past.
Games on a smart watch seem pointless to me. The screen’s too small, the battery is too small, and the thing is on your wrist. I doubt I would use any games on any smart watch, ever.
I’m still wondering if I’m going to even buy the first gen AppleWatch. I will have to spend some time at the local Apple Store playing around with the thing until I get the warm and fuzzies over this device. I’m just a more cautious minded person when it comes to new devices.
Agree and I was thinking about waiting for a second generation but I’m a watch guy, they have always fascinated me… so I’m going with the sport model
This is absolutely amazing! I hope this becomes a trend in iOS gaming. I WILL pay more for this!
Standalone Watch games? Could be great. But I can’t see how the Watch could provide meaningful information/content about a game you’re playing on the iPhone. Hold your iPhone in landscape mode, and you’ll see how the Apple Watch would be facing away.
I think a great aspect will be getting a tap from the watch instead of an intrusive notification banner whilst watching videos, or playing games. As far as games, you could definitely do charades, I should think. I would also say, children could play hide and seek by looking for hiding players and the watches would be communicating and the seeker would get faster or slower pulses the closer they got to a hidden player, with different vibrations for different players. Hiders could confuse the seeker by sending a decoy pulse every so often (when the game allowed you to send another). Augment hide and seek or Marco polo like this.
As an afterthought, you could play Marco polo using only the sending of heartbeats. Say, they call out Marco, each player then has to send heartbeats, presumably the faster the beating, the closer you are to that person. Lest of course, they can remain totally calm.
wasn’t there a story this week how the watch is only suppose to on in 10 sec bursts…. lots of misinformation surround the apple watch.
I can see a simon says type game for the watch. Touch one of four colored squares on the screen in the order that they light up progressive becoming more and more difficult to mimic. Also, maybe tape mores code into the watch?
Ho hum. While I am interested in having an Apple Watch, if the price is right, I am not remotely interested in any of the apps hinted at in this article. If I think that I can benefit from owning one, I will buy one but it won’t be for playing games. You need a decent sized screen for that.
I completely agree. I distinctly remember my mom buying me a game watch when I was a child and back then I didnt even like it because it was too hard to play! The apple watch his definitely going to be more utility based.
Hopefully they bring the new gestures to iPhone 7 in 2016
I’m waiting to release my iOS app because we have made a watch companion app. Hoping this helps us be among the first to market in the new field and help us stand out in the current app store!