6 Ways Apple's iWatch Could Revolutionize Gaming

The rumored Apple iWatch introduces a new and exciting interface for game creators to explore. As someone who’s fascinated by interface changes (INSERT LINK TO INTERFACE CHANGE ARTICLE), here are six ways it might be used in gaming:


1) Three Second Game Loops

Traditional console and PC game loops are several minutes in length as players invest often several hours in a single session. Mobile game has since introduced much shorter game loops to accommodate players’ brief attention span and facilitate habit-formation, as exemplified in successful games like Clash of Clans and CSR: Racing which have loops less than 30 seconds in length. Games using the iWatch could be even shorter as the effort to interact with the game requires only a slight twist of the wrist. (INSERT ARTICLE ABOUT DECREASING MOTIVATION BAR). Resources collection, poker betting, and voting could all accomplished in a few short seconds.


2) Tighter Social Engagement Loops

A common mechanic in social games is to request help or gift friends with in-game items. For example, in Candy Crush players can request additional turns from their friends. In doing so, a notification is sent to their friend, prompting them to open the app to gift turns. To do so, friends must dig into their pocket, unlock their device, and open the app before granting a turn. With the iWatch, the effort to perform this same action is much lower, increasing the likeliness and timeliness of the desired action to occur. This magnifies the potential of socially-driven triggers as players maintain a constant engagement trigger amongst friends.


3) Fitness Games Level Up

Fitness games have never taken off, largely because phones are not designed for these activities. They are too bulky and interacting with the device while running, biking, playing soccer, and other active sports is extremely difficult. The iWatch’s small form factor and (presumed) built-in accelerometer and GPS, addresses both of these issues. Many consumers already sport Fitbit, Jawbone’s Up, and other wearable computing devices so replacing these devices with something game-enabled won’t be a far stretch from their current behavior.


4) Persistent Digital Characters

Remember Tamagachi? The small device housed a digital pet that you nurtured and watched grow. The iWatch’s small screen may look awfully similar but this time with so much more sophistication. Imagine a persistent digital character, a sidekick on your wrist. A friend that you could talk to (a la Siri). A friend that’s connected to the web, interacting with others’ digital characters. A friend that can surface information relevant to your context. In many ways Tamagachi was ahead of its time. Apple’s iWatch may be the interface for the revival of these experiences.


5) Second Screen for your Second Screen

If the mobile phone is the second screen to your TV, then the iWatch is the second screen to your mobile phone. Imagine using hand motions to perform in-game actions, managing secondary menus on your wrist, viewing a video of your teammate’s POV in real-time, or speaking to your wrist a la Inspector Gadget in concert with your phone.


6) Status and Unlockables

I don’t know anyone that has not customized their phone’s home screen background. We do this as a form of self-expression, yet few other people actually see this. On the other hand (no pun intended), the iWatch’s face may be highly visible to others, giving users the ability to outwardly express themselves by customizing the design or information displayed on its face. Status is a big thing in gaming. Game creators could provide unique faces for players to show off their character, level, or other achievements in the game. This also opens up to an additional source of revenue as game creators monetize these customizations through in-app purchases.


These are just a few examples that come to mind. How do you see Apple’s iWatch changing gaming?

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Photo credit: Esben Oxholm