What does the iPad mean for gamers?

For the iPad as a game, it’s worth addressing a few questions and observations regarding the device’s strengths and weaknesses as a game platform. Several groups were invited to test Apple’s new software development kit weeks ago to see what they could do, and both Gameloft and Electronic Arts showed their results.Gameloft had spent some time adapting its online first person shooter N.O.V.A. to the device, while Electronic Arts made some tweaks to Need for Speed: SHIFT, it’s fast, tilt-controlled adaptation of the popular console game.

For N.O.V.A., which uses and on-screen d-pad and fire button to simulate a console controller, there were definitely some physical issues to overcome. The iPod Touch…it is actually a slightly different form factor because the screen doesn’t sit flush with edge of the device. Gameloft team had started putting some thought into new multi-touch controls, including a novel way of targeting multiple enemies at once by drawing a box around targets.
We should be hearing more info on this story