Is an Android Gaming Center on the Horizon?

Speculation is increasing that Android is secretly at work building a formidable gaming center to compete with both the iPhone gaming centerand the Windows 7 partnership with Xbox Live. A substantial investment in Zynga and recent purchases of companies like Slide and Jambool has the mobile online gaming world anticipating something great from the Android camp. Developers with access to the Android App Inventor beta have also noticed certain programs that are in development to assist apps in communicating with online gaming servers.

Love it or hate it, mobile online gaming is quickly becoming part of our daily routine to pass time and avoid an idle mind. From Farmville to more brain-centric games such as “Words with Friends” or “WordFeud”, this segment of the video game industry seems to have wings as all of the major mobile phone systems are aggressively pursing an entry plan.

Android’s open development and ability to take more risks with their app creations could spell great things for the platform. Some mobile experts feel that Google/Android are aiming for a  game center similar to Xbox Live Arcade. With numerous “old school” games such as “Pac-Man”, “Dig-Dug”, “Paperboy” and “Galaga”,  a person’s arcade fix can definitely be met. Add in some deeper, more interactive games with multiple plot lines or a “game show”-type of format on the mobile phone and Android will appeal to a wide range of gamers. Recent sports entries to mobile gaming like “Madden 2011″, “Backbreaker” and “HomeRun 3D” further validate the need for all platforms to have a developing gaming platform.

My current wish is that the gaming center  launched by Android avoids falling into the casual mindset. Alongside casual gaming,  many gamers (including myself) look forward to having the option to explore and delve into a variety of mobile online multiplayer games that provoke serious thought and commitment to complete the games. The multi-player aspect adds to the human element, and is frankly how we should be designing games moving forward. “All Points Bulletin” with a mixture of “StarCraft II” and the old school fun of a “Myst” would make for an excellent game to premiere in the Android Gaming Center.

Android users, what are your thoughts? Are you interested in a gaming center for the platform? What type of games are you looking for? Meet us in the comments section.

About the Author
I am a developing social and digital media junkie on an adventure through life. Right now I am on the chapter in the book where I live in Los Angeles. Reach me on twitter @ahr19. Thanks for reading my post.
See all posts by Amani.