One of the First Apple Watch Games Shown off in Mockups from NimbleBit

[MacRumors]

Though developers have had access to the WatchKit API for the upcoming Apple Watch since the debut of iOS 8.2 in November, we've still learned very little about what apps will be able to do and what kind of apps we can expect to see when the device launches.

We know that common Apple apps like Messages, Mail, and others will be available on the Apple Watch based on what Apple shared in the keynote and on its dedicated Apple Watch website, but third-party developers have not divulged much about their plans for the device, though hundreds of innovative apps and experiences are undoubtedly in the works.

One major game developer, NimbleBit, is working on a new game that will be playable on the Apple Watch. Shared by our sister site TouchArcade, Letterpad is a simple word game that will be available on both iOS and the Apple Watch. The object of the game is to make words related to a specified topic from a grid of nine letters, and a mockup of what the game might look like is below.

Games may not seem conducive to the Apple Watch given its rumored limited battery life (the device will need to be charged on a daily basis) and its small screen, but simple games like Letterpad will translate well to the device. As we've learned from the WatchKit API, the first apps coming out for the Apple Watch will be entirely reliant on the iPhone, powered by the phone itself and projected to the Apple Watch to conserve battery.

This is just a first glimpse of one simple game that will be playable on the wrist thanks to the Apple Watch, and developers likely have a range of unique game experiences in mind. The Apple Watch's Taptic Engine and Force Touch capabilities, to determine between taps and presses and deliver subtle alerts, may enable all new types of games and apps that we haven't even considered yet, and over the course of the next few months, we'll likely get a much clearer picture of what developers are planning to create for the device.

The most recent rumors have suggested that the Apple Watch could see a March debut, and while pricing remains largely unknown, we do know that the entry-level Apple Watch will be priced at $349.

Article Link: One of the First Apple Watch Games Shown off in Mockups from NimbleBit

 

[farewelwilliams]

or i can take out my phone for a bigger screen to play on.
i don't think i should be in any particular app for longer than a minute on the apple watch.

 

[Shayanftw]

Looks like that old boring puzzle on the Mac dashboard.

 

[Rogifan]

Apple HIG says watch interactions should be brief. I wonder what their stance on games will be. Playing a game on the watch isn't a brief interaction.

 

[sonicrobby]

Games on a watch? I'm not sure of their rationale. Do they really expect people to play games on their watch and kill it's less-than-a-day-long battery life?

 

[FieldingMellish]

I cannot imagine the hilarity of seeing someone furiously tapping a game on his watch.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

Games on a watch? I'm not sure of their rationale. Do they really expect people to play games on their watch and kill it's less-than-a-day-long battery life?

Are you seriously arguing against options?

 

[lars666]

or i can take out my phone for a bigger screen to play on.
i don't think i should be in any particular app for longer than a minute on the apple watch.

Try to have a little more imagination. I'm looking forward to what app developers will make out of the Apple Watch.

 

[tkermit]

Apple HIG says watch interactions should be brief. I wonder what their stance on games will be. Playing a game on the watch isn't a brief interaction.

A round of Flappy Bird can be rather brief.

 

[sonicrobby]

Are you seriously arguing against options?

I'm glad they are being open to development on the watch, but I personally can't fathom why/when someone would play a game on their watch instead of pulling out their phone and playing it. The screen is smaller, and the rumor is the battery life of the watch as it is will not be great. The only notion I can see is if someone's phone is almost dead and they'd rather utilize most of the watch in lue of the phone.

 

[Peace]

A game on a 3" watch ?

wow.

 

[champinhon]

It must be a crazy hard game, as it took 2:05hrs to solve this puzzle!!

 

[erinsarah]

This guy...

This guy never had time for games on his watch...

 

[purpleparrotuk]

Stupid question. How much memory will be in the watch to store games. Is this also how it will store music?

 

[advancewarsbest]

I cannot imagine the hilarity of seeing someone furiously tapping a game on his watch.

Someone is hating on my old watch

 

[cambookpro]

A game on a 3" watch ?

wow.

3"?! Try about 1.5"

 

[furi0usbee]

iOS games on my Apple TV - WIN. iOS games on iPad, nice, many games perfect fit, would love a controller. iOS games on iPhone, ok I guess, if I have time to kill, maybe something to pass the time, no serious games. iOS games on my Apple Watch, right......

Not to get too crude here, but there are better things I can do with my other free hand.

 

[Shanley]

I'm struggling to figure out what the purpose of the watch is. I've gone from super excited thinking it was going to be a great fitness band and keep track of steps, heart rate, activities and maybe more, to coming to the conclusion that it is little more then a novelty with poor battery life.

I think the fitbit is going to give me everything I'm looking for in a activity band and do it for several hundred dollars less. I don't want games, I don't want to opt out of advertisements, I don't want people sending me doodles on my wrist.

I like the Apple pay part. I wonder if Apple will licence Apple Pay for other devices to use? Not likely given Apples history.

My wallet is ready, but my head and heart are starting to question the purpose of it.

 

[furi0usbee]

Ooooh, give me the $10k gold watch with the $0.99 game UI plastered all over it. I want two!

 

[MasterRyu2011]

I'm glad they are being open to development on the watch, but I personally can't fathom why/when someone would play a game on their watch instead of pulling out their phone and playing it. The screen is smaller, and the rumor is the battery life of the watch as it is will not be great. The only notion I can see is if someone's phone is almost dead and they'd rather utilize most of the watch in lue of the phone.

Actually, games like the ones that come with the Blackberry phones (the slider /ball game) can be easily played on a watch. If you're at home just sitting around for something, I can see someone jumping into a quick distraction on the watch. You don't really need to care about battery life if you're at home.

Many of the features we have on our smartphone have extreme unique cases as well.

 

[Rogifan]

Ooooh, give me the $10k gold watch with the $0.99 game UI plastered all over it. I want two!

Yes because Watch is going come with games preinstalled on it.

 

[filmantopia]

Games on a watch? Well I've never been so threatened by the idea of things being different than what I'm used to!

What's next? Humans in flying machines? Or mechanical vehicles which replace the horse? Just nonsense. All of it.

 

[2457282]

I am still not feeling the watch. Maybe once it is out I will get interested. Certainly the healthkit on the iPhone has peaked my interest as I actually pay attention to steps and distance (I never did before). Having said that, a game on the watch would not add to the value of the watch. Battery that lasts weeks and waterproofing would be more important to me.

 

[TsunamiTheClown]

Can i just say wtf.

 

[newagemac]

Games on a watch? I'm not sure of their rationale. Do they really expect people to play games on their watch and kill it's less-than-a-day-long battery life?

Games on a phone? I'm not sure of their rationale. Do they really expect people to play games on their phone and kill it's less-than-a-day-long battery life when we have game consoles that are far more powerful and don't have battery issues?
- Gamers in 2007