iPad Will Release With Strong Game Developer Support From Gameloft and Others

The App Store, already offering around 900 games, gets ready for the iPad as Apple continues to show support for mobile gaming.

Gameloft, which earned approximately $25 million from the App Store in 2009, has announced eight new games specifically for the iPad.  These new 'HD' games that will take advantage of the iPad's 9.7 inch screen are as follows (each with a price tag under $10):

• N.O.V.A
• Dungeon Hunter
• Modern Combat: Sandstorm
• Asphalt 5
• UNO
• NFL 2010
• Real Soccer 2010
• Let's Golf

Gameloft has over 900 people working on games for the App Store and has had a lot of recent success producing mobile games.  However, the company is certainly not the only big name ready to capitalize on the iPad's potential.  EA, 2K, Activision, PopCap, and PlayFirst of Diner Dash fame have all confirmed support of their games for the iPad.

The Wall Street Journal's Walter Mossberg recently spent some time with the iPad and said in his review that "Apple has the potential to change portable computing profoundly, and to challenge the primacy of the laptop."  Mossberg also went on to say that "...playing games was satisfying and fun" on the device.

Sure, Mossberg may have been referencing casual games like Scrabble and Touch Hockey, but the support shown with the release of these 'HD' games by Gameloft and others gives the iPad and Apple a chance to truly compete in the mobile gaming market.  

Another sign that Apple is serious about mobile gaming is the patent filed in September 2008 for the iPhone that recently became public. This patent, 0081505, looks to be a case that transforms the iPhone into a DS-looking gaming device, complete with D-Pad and control buttons.