When Apple introduced iPod games last week, many in the gaming industry thought it was a smart move. As Macworld's Peter Cohen found out, however, long-time Mac game publishers were confused by their lack of involvement -- some of them had previously approached Apple about iPod games -- while the developers who had a hand in making iPod games were tight-lipped about what the future holds for that section of the iTunes Store.

"We're really glad to see Apple start to take the iPod in this direction," Glenda Adams, director of development for Aspyr Media, told Mr. Cohen. "It's the one big piece of entertainment that was missing. Obviously, we're disappointed that [Apple] launched it as a closed development system. We had pitched several game ideas for iPod at Apple over the past couple years, but it didn't lead anywhere."

She added: "We've got some really great ideas for iPod games if Apple will open up an iPod SDK [software development kit] to developers--everything from doing handheld specific branded games, like what we've done with Tony Hawk Pro Skater and Call of Duty 2 for PocketPC, to some unique and new gameplay mechanics that integrate with the music already on your iPod."

Pangea Software president Brian Greenstone echoed those sentiments, saying: "As a game developer who specializes in original content, I'm disappointed that I don't have access to the iPod because I know I could come up with some games that blow away the stuff that's available now."

Meanwhile, those involved in the creation of the games that shipped last week kept their comments guarded. PopCap Games CEO Dave Roberts, whose Bejeweled and Zuma puzzle games were among them, would only say that the new genre "is a big opportunity." In fact, he revealed that secrecy was so tight that he didn't get to play his first iPod game until Apple's press event last week.

Mr. Roberts said little to address the future of iPod gaming, noting: "We will certainly do other games for the iPod, but when and what all depend on the normal confluence of events. But I think it's pretty evident from Apple's presentation that this is going to be an important factor for the iPod going forward."