With the Apple Watch slated to hit retail next month, many developers are no doubt hard at work on concentrated apps for the wearable device that will make proper use out of it. While most are focusing on experiences that relate to watch-style wear (such as the old-school Dick Tracy-style walkie talkie), some are actually working on games that can use the device in a number of innovative ways.

The Guardian recently posted an article where game developers explained how the Apple Watch can actually be a viable game platform, breaking down a number of ways that its use could innovative, through various experiences – and not just ports of Pac-Man and Tetris.

Obviously, the right approach has to be made, according to Will Luton, designer of the popular Pebble game Pixel Miner. “Integrating heart rate and pedometers obtrusively into game loops or attempting to shrink down smartphone titles onto a smaller device may get some traction early on as players explore the device and its capabilities, but they won’t be sustainable.

“The correct approach is to consider how the device is used and build from there. Smart watches are high frequency, short session devices that have low precision controls. This means that interfaces have to be very simple, such as one touch or menu-based systems. If smartphone games are designed to be played whilst waiting for a coffee, smart watch games should be designed to be played in an elevator ride.”

The article brought up a couple of examples of this, including mini-games from Nintendo’s Wario Ware series, which could be played in spurts with just a few simple motions and gestures, combining together into a larger game experience. There’s no doubt that developers would benefit from this format.

But that’s not all, as new ideas could also be explored. “One thing that game developers like is new modes of interaction and control,” said developer and researcher Michael Cook. “GDC ran their annual alt.ctrl workshop recently that’s all about new ways to interact with games. Apple’s already emphasizing these minimalistic ways of communicating through the watch, like doodling on the screen, tapping another person’s wrist remotely, and so on.

“The small screen and simple interactions also remind me of what Robin Baumgarten is doing in his game design experiments. Baumgarten’s latest creation is Line Wobbler, a game that you played on a single line of flashing lights. Designing games for really small platforms like a single dimension or a screen as small as a watch is a really cool challenge.”

“Persistent” games can also play a big part, allowing users to trade data with one another from a simple pass-by – similar to Nintendo’s StreetPass program for the Nintendo 3DS. “I do actually think there are some great possibilities for ‘persistent games’— games that you are playing all the time, alone or with friends,” says developer Bennett Foddy. “For these games, the watch makes it possible to check in on your progress whenever you have an idle nanosecond, without starting an app or pulling out your phone. These might be games that are played by tapping the phone at certain times, or by being at certain locations: the depth won’t come from the software itself but from the way that it fits in with your everyday life.”

“Developers will have to get better at placing more of the experience in the mind and less of it on screen,” says game developer Moo Yoo, who worked at Moshi Monsters creator Mind Candy until going independent. “I imagine a huge demand for highly interlinked social games and dynamically generated social narratives. You can take the example of a game like FarmVille which gave context and a real-world meaning to gifting a virtual animal. A smartwatch game could be a system of proposals, acceptances, and rejections – either in a dating sim or a game of diplomacy.”

More ideas on what Apple Watch gaming could be like can be found in this article here. It’s obviously got a ways to go, but developers can certainly find a way or two to make them truly innovate – and not just be “gimmicks”, as it were. If the Apple Watch and other wearables gain a large audience as many expect, this could be a significant new source of revenue for game companies who are, er, watching out for new opportunities.

So it’s officially happening – the Apple Watch will launch in the U.S. on April 24th, featuring a number of compatible apps and features, and ranging anywhere in price from $350 to $10,000 or more, depending on which model consumers want to go for and the choice of wristbands.

But along with a refined interest in Apple products, the announcement could also bring good news for the wearable tech market in general. ABC News has reported that the Watch will be a big seller for Apple, but will also generate interest in other pieces of technology, which will be good news for competitors.

“There is clearly interest in the category,” said Ben Wood, chief of research for CCS Insight. “If Apple can make this work and they can give the industry a few pointers, then I think you’re going to see the other players saying, ‘We’re going to have another go.’ I think you’ll see a halo effect.”

Although Apple’s Watch won’t be the first one on the market – Samsung beat it to the punch a few months ago with its own model – it will no doubt be one of the most popular, in spite of its price (compared to other watches). Its compatibility and apps will give it widespread appeal, form all appearances. The demo today showed how the Watch can take phone calls, process messages, and even summon a car via Uber — as well as pay for products at 700,000 different locations and open compatible hotel room doors. The broad array of functionality is sure to be expanded as developers hop on board, and don’t be surprised when games start appearing on the Watch.

While Apple’s new wearable will no doubt be off to a strong start, its relatively high base price (and stratospheric high-end price) will keep people looking at other, lower-priced alternatives. Pebble is another company that has stood out with its wearable tech line-up, according to CCS Insight. The company revealed a number of watches that come with various sizes and features, which can cater to audiences that aren’t necessarily looking for Apple’s.

“I think it is interesting for Pebble to get out there and highlight its capabilities” with the devices, according to Wood.

Now it’s just a matter of prodding tablet and iPhone owners to upgrade to an Apple Watch. “What I am hoping to see are the reasons why I need an Apple Watch in my life,” Wood continued. “I think Apple has been very smart in announcing this ahead of time. They were able to control the message. The single biggest advantage that I see is the fact that they were able to exploit their most valuable asset: the development community.”

It’s still too early to tell if the Apple Watch will be a big hit, but, judging by the buzz on the Apple site following its revealing of details, we could be in for a huge shift in the wearable tech market. And that’s good news for all involved, not just the “big A”.