Neutron multiplayer middleware comes to iPhone

by Peter Cohen, Macworld.com

Exit Games has announced the beta release of Neutron for iPhone. Neutron is middleware—software that game developers can license for use in their own titles—that enables mobile devices to participate in multiplayer games.

With Neutron in place, an iPhone game developer could conceivable tape in to the Neutron managed service platform to integrate online multiplayer and social gaming features that work across mobile platforms, including BlackBerry and Windows Mobile handsets—even to computers and game consoles.

Features of Neutron include real-time, turn-based and tournament multiplayer options, support for game lobbies and matchmaking capabilities, buddy lists, leader boards, profiles, in-game voice and text chat, and billing and in-game "microtransaction" support.

Neutron's licensees include companies like Konami, Vivendi Mobile, Walt Disney, Square Enix and others. Verizon Wireless, AT&T Wireless, Sprint, Qualcomma and Sony Ericsson are among Exit Games' communications industry partners.