Apple gaming network coming out next week

Eternally embattled titans of tech, Apple and Microsoft will once again lock horns next week. Apple’s challenge to the magical Microsoft money machine and distribution network that is Xbox Live is being released. Kotaku reports, Apple’s Game Center will feature, among other things, persistent usernames, matchmaking and enhanced multiplayer functionality.

The turtlenecked wonder, Steve Jobs, announced the release of the platform at a special event in San Francisco. The game being shown off was the popular Angry Birds and featured achievements, a recently played friends list, and a leaderboard.

The release will first come out next week for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Those iPad users anxiously awaiting this release will have to wait til November and iOS 4.2. The only thing missing from this assortment of features is voice chat. Something I for one can do without, as I already have expletives shouted at me by prepubescent twelve year olds on Xbox Live. The last thing I need is to have 30-something hipsters telling me they’ve had achievements before the game even came out.

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