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Swatches could be the iPhone's online gaming statement of intent

At least that's what we're hoping

Swatches could be the iPhone's online gaming statement of intent
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The iPhone has been lauded for ushering in a whole host of new standards for the mobile industry but it looks like the device may be responsible for a quiet revolution on the gaming front, too. A new game announced today from Tablestar Games, called Swatches, is a puzzle title with connectivity at its core.

Making use of the iPhone's touchscreen (and the iPod touch's, which it is also compatible with), Swatches revolves around competing to control the largest blocks of colour against live opponents or AI. That slightly opaque factoid is all we really know about the title gameplay-wise, but strangely it is one of the social features that the game is built around that has really piqued our interest.

The game has a chat function that enables up to six players to chew the fat whilst waiting in the lobby for the game to start, and during the actual game, too. This suggests to us that the title will feature online multiplayer for up to six people but that has not been confirmed as of yet. It is known, however, that iPhone and iPod touch users will be able to play against each other in online bouts.

Given the pitfalls of a broad range of disparate platforms in mobile gaming, online features such as chat and infrastucture multiplayer have been slow to take hold. The iPhone sidesteps the platform issue, leaving us wondering if it might have the necessary credentials to finally lead the charge in online mobile gaming. There is the iPod touch's lack of a mic to consider, which might castrate the nature of the experience somewhat, but even minus the chat function the online multiplayer aspect of Swatches sounds very exciting.

Could be a biggie this and as always we'll be in touch as soon as we know more. Click 'Track It!' to make sure not to miss any developments.