Oliver Haslam on June 25, 2020, 11:06 pm

Game Center On iOS 14 And tvOS 14 Gets A Complete Overhaul, Expands PS4 And Xbox Controller Functions

Apple announced iOS 14 and tvOS 14 during its WWDC opening keynote this past Monday and we’re still learning more about what the updates offer. Game Center is one feature that was very much ready for some attention and it’s definitely receiving it in these two updates.

Apple says that it has redesigned Game Center to make it easier to access the information gamers are likely to want and need, starting with leaderboards and their own Game Center profile.

A beautifully redesigned Game Center makes it easy to discover and experience games with friends. Quickly access achievements, leaderboards, and your Game Center profile right from the App Store and within your Game Center‑enabled games.

Both iOS 14 and tvOS 14 will also now support the Xbox Elite 2 and Adaptive controllers from Microsoft while custom button mapping will be a big deal for those who want or need more control over what their buttons are capable of. Both Xbox and Playstation controllers will receive support for custom rumble feedback as part of the updates, too.

Developers can find out more about the new Game Center features from the Apple Developer website and apps.

We’ll show you how to add support for the latest controllers — including Xbox’s Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and Adaptive Controller — and map your game’s controls accordingly. Learn how you can use the Game Controller framework in tandem with Core Haptics to enable rumble feedback. And find out how you can take your gaming experience to the next level with custom button mapping, nonstandard inputs, and control over specialty features like motion sensors, lights, and battery level. To get the most out of this session, you should be familiar with the Game Controller framework. Check the documentation link for a primer. And if you build games for iPad, be sure to check out “Bring keyboard and mouse gaming to iPad” for a guide on integrating keyboard, mouse, and trackpad inputs into your experience.

Apple’s tvOS 14 and iOS 14 betas are currently in the developer beta stage while a public beta of iOS 14 is expected next month. Both updates will be made available to everyone around the world in or around September this year, too.