Recently in mobile games Category

RealGames introduced the Federation of Studios (FoS), a mobile publishing platform for small and mid-sized game developers port their games, at no up-front cost, across more than 1700 mobile handsets, eight different operating systems and 130 carriers and direct-to-consumer distributors.

It grants developers access to Real's proprietary EMERGE development platform and an integrated marketing and distribution process, arming them with the ability to deliver their game to the broadest mobile gaming audience possible.

The EMERGE development process enables quick, cost efficient porting to multiple platforms (J2ME, BREW, iPhone, Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Android, Nintendo DSi and Flash).  Key to the efficiency of EMERGE is a tightly managed business process that, in addition to porting capabilities, also provides game developers with quality assurance, localization, sales and distribution services. The first FoS partner is Sonic Boom, Inc., a leading publisher and creator of mobile games and applications, developer of mobile titles including Name that Tune! and Virtual Villagers.

Moblyng Games’ m:Mafia is now available in the Ovi Store.Moblyng Games’ titles allow players to connect with friends across multiple networks and devices, including Facebook, the iPhone, Android and the Nokia 5800 and N97 more platforms than any other social gaming developer.

“Nokia has the distinction of servicing a vast majority of the world-wide wireless market,” said Stewart Putney, CEO and founder, Moblyng Games. “Adding the Nokia platform and the Ovi Store marks a step for Moblyng Games towards global mobile gaming — a feat we are proud to pioneer. Each time we add to the list of supported Moblyng Games devices and markets, truly cross-platform gaming becomes available to millions of additional players, and that is revolutionary.”

EA Mobile announced the launch of four new, movie-based titles: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, G.I. JOE The Rise of Cobra, Star Trek and X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Experience the magic of Harry Potter in this exciting new mobile game for feature phones based on the latest installment of one of the most popular movie franchises of all time. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince delivers all the fun of the movie via varied, action-packed gameplay in the authentic and interactive setting of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Join Harry, Ron and Hermione as they explore the school grounds, interact with popular characters, and battle Dark Forces in an all-new free roaming environment.

Hasbro, announced that more than a dozen of its popular toy and game properties will land on various video game platforms in the second half of this year through licensing alliances with video game leaders. Here's the scoup on what mobile games will be coming from these alliances.

This summer will kick off with major action and adventure based on the launch of Activision's TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN,  Glu Mobile will  release the game on a variety of mobile devices as well as a mini-application on the iPhone.

EA will in August  launch  G.I. JOE The Rise of Cobra on the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION3, Wii, PlayStation2, PSP, Nintendo DS and mobile devices.

For board game fans, EA will relase BATTLESHIP, YAHTZEE, CONNECT 4, SCRABBLE, BOGGLE and SORRY! CRANIUM, YAHTZEE, THE GAME OF LIFE, and CLUE in a variety of mobile formats.

"Through our strategic alliances with the world's most talented video game developers and publishers such as EA, Hasbro has continued to re-invent the play experience of its brands in a way that is meaningful to today's digital consumer," said Mark Blecher, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digital Media and Gaming at Hasbro

EA Mobile announced six new titles available on the Apple App Store including: Star Trek, AMERICAN IDOL, TRIVIAL PURSUIT, Lemonade Tycoon, Pandemonium! and Anytime Pool.

Star Trek

EA Mobile invites you to become the captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise and fight against the Klingons, Cardassions and Vulcans in an all new space adventure for iPhone and iPod touch. Based on the world famous Star Trek franchise, the game coincides with the release of the latest movie directed by J.J. Abrams. The Star Trek mobile game pits players against enemies from all over the galaxy in a number of diverse and exciting gameplay scenarios that are guaranteed to keep you coming back for more.

Match Star Trek Tech with Wireless Tech: Communicator, Apps, and Phones.

PopCap Games, results of a new survey, show  57 percent of AT&T wireless customers who were polled play mobile games on their wireless devices. The survey, conducted by Information Solutions Group among more than 1,100 AT&T wireless customers, underscores the growing popularity of mobile gaming.

Fun and Stress Relief on The Go: Times and Reasons for Playing

 The top three benefits derived from playing mobile games were identified as: "Distraction from daily life issues" (52%); "Relaxation and stress relief" (40%); and "improved mood" (12%).

• 52% of mobile gamers say they play mobile games during work hours and one in seven (14%) mobile gamers chose "during my work day, when I need a short break" as the time when they most often play games on their phone.
•  60% of all mobile gamers selected "while waiting for an appointment" as a time when they play mobile games, with "during the day on weekdays" being cited by 34% of respondents and "when traveling on vacation" and "on the weekend" tying for third with 25% of respondents choosing each.

Mobile Games Consumption

• 59% indicated they play games on their phone at least once a month; 40% said they played weekly or more often, while 41% said they played less than once per month.
• 91% of mobile gaming sessions are 30 minutes or less; fully 62% are less than 15 minutes. 71% of mobile gamers play games on their phone for less than an hour per week; more than half (52%) of those who play daily said they play for three or more hours per week.
• Over three quarters (78%) of mobile gamers have been playing games on their phone for more than a year, and 55% of those say they've been playing for 3+ years.
• On average, nearly a quarter (22.2%) of a mobile gamer's total game playing time occurs on their mobile phone.

EA Mobile announced the availability of five new games for mobile phones, including AMERICAN IDOL, Downtown Texas Hold'em, Mystery Mania, CRANIUM and Hell's Kitchens.

"This month's offerings are a true testament to the breadth of EA Mobile content available for consumers," said Adam Sussman, VP Global Publishing for EA Mobile. "EA Mobile has a game for everyone and every mood, whether players yearn to become a professional poker player or singing sensation; or would rather play puzzle challenges and solve mysteries."

FusionOne and Glu now offer transfer of games from one handset to another.

The Handset Transfer Solution, the only comprehensive service of its kind that includes the transfer of licensed content, enables mobile carriers to maintain and grow revenue streams derived from content sales by ensuring that when customers get a new phone, their purchased content is transferred to the new handset, regardless of whether they purchased the phone at a store or online.

Content providers can preserve and extend existing relationships with their subscribers regardless of a subscriber’s mobile device, and subscribers will no longer be inconvenienced by having to remember, re-discover, and re-subscribe to their favorite mobile games and other licensed content from their old phone.

EA Mobile announced SCRABBLE on Apple's App Store now supports Facebook Connect. The new edition of SCRABBLE connects the Facebook SCRABBLE application to a SCRABBLE game on iPhone and iPod touch - or vice versa - allowing fans in the U.S. and Canada to have access to their favorite Hasbro-branded crossword puzzle game any time, any place.

This connected version of SCRABBLE provides an intuitive interface that allows head-to-head challenges with family, friends or anyone accessing the game on Facebook, an iPhone or iPod touch. Start on Facebook and switch to iPhone or iPod touch to keep playing on the go. Connect with a Facebook friend from an iPhone or iPod touch or join a public game on Facebook. With easy tracking of scores and statistics, players always know where they rank against competitors. While playing SCRABBLE, gamers can enjoy built-in chat so they can converse with opponents and friends throughout the game. Players can also get help from in-game dictionaries.

The wireless game console based on a Qualcomm chipset will debut  in Brazil next month. The console has secure 3G wireless game delivery and addresses the special requirements of these regions where current generation videogame consoles are expensive for the middle class and software piracy is rampant.

The Zeebo system provides a new approach for both publishers and developers looking to extend their footprint into emerging markets, including:

• Secure 3G wireless distribution of digital content designed to overcome lost revenues from rampant piracy.
• Simple, intuitive wireless shopping mall making it easy for consumers to discover and purchase content - giving publishers and developers direct access to a potential one billion consumers in the emerging middle class.
• Shorter development cycle as well as lower marketing costs.

CSMG, the strategy division of TMNG Global (Nasdaq:TMNG) released a report on the global video games market and its impact on mobile and fixed service providers, entitled: Playing Games: A Revolution In Interactive Entertainment.

Fueled by increased network access, faster broadband speeds, next-generation consoles and more capable mobile devices, the dramatic growth in the video games market presents tremendous opportunities for service providers to capture greater share of this market, according to CSMG.

The report finds that the global gaming industry is expected reach $40 billion in annual revenues by 2012. By comparison, U.S. gaming software sales reached $20 billion in 2008 from $9.4 billion in 2005. Mobile games represents the fastest growing segment with a 24.6% (CAGR) compound annual growth rate forecasted for 2007 through 2012. The average age of a gamer has increased to 33 years and female gamers now reach almost 50 percent across many types of games.

"Despite the current economic downturn, gaming has proven to be resilient in these trying times and is the leading entertainment segment that is fueling growth," said Rich Nespola, Chairman and CEO of TMNG Global. "The expansion of casual games, simpler user interfaces and the proliferation of innovative business models is broadening the gamer demographic. The timing is ripe for service providers to hedge the business cycle by capturing the robust opportunities to grow the mobile gaming market."

Results from the Multimedia Research Consultancy's (TMRC) first online survey of mobile games industry experts The iPhone is a winner of support.

The participating organizations report current mobile games sales up on a year ago (43 per cent say sales are up vs. 29 per cent saying they are down).

However, despite the economic downturn and this moderately good result they are very positive about 2009, not only for their own organization's sales prospects, but also for the industry as a whole. 66 per cent anticipate that the value of their enterprise's mobile games sales will rise in the next 12 months, with only 11 per cent expecting a decline.

The iPhone is already rated as the most successful Development Platform/Operating System (DP/OS) by 71 per cent of our experts. When the experts looked into the future, they expected the iPhone to get stronger, possibly precipitating the demise of several existing platforms.

 

Mobile game publisher Glu Mobile has integrated Movaya's PlugNPlay and TryNBuy solutions into Glu's website for direct-to-consumer sales.

"It has been a great experience working with Movaya to offer Glu's award-winning games directly to our customers," said Jill Braff, senior vice president of global publishing, Glu. "Through our alliance with Movaya, we have developed a cost-effective solution capable of delivering games directly to mobile devices through the glu.com website."

"Movaya's technologies will enhance how Glu is able to sell its games," said Phil Yerkes, CEO of Movaya. "Rather than relying solely on wireless carriers and other third-party distributors, Glu now has the power to market its products directly to customers. The move allows customers to sample games and stay informed on updates and new offers, and more importantly, creates a new distribution channel to generate additional revenue for Glu."

Immediately, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, The Dark Knight and Family Feud are available for purchase from Glu.com using the Movaya platform, with additional titles being added over the coming weeks and months.

Glu Mobile announced their games for the first quarter of  2009

The titles launching in North America in the first quarter of 2009 will be available on J2ME, BREW, Blackberry and Windows Mobile platforms with additional platforms noted.

• Superman/Batman Heroes United - An action game based on the BATMAN and SUPERMAN mythologies that joins the heroes on a quest to fight evil. (Available January 2009)
• Cooking Star - The deliciously fun casual game where players tilt, touch, flick, and flip to cook up mouth-watering meals, master the menu, and become a Star Chef! (Available February 2009)

Smartphone app seller, Handango has partnered with mobile game publishers Digital Chocolate and I-play. Thus aa vast array of top entertainment content for Blackberry and Windows Mobile devices.

Digital Chocolate titles include 3D Brick Breaker Revolution, Mini Golf 99-Holes and Shopping Madness and games from I-play include Deal or No Deal, Million Dollar Mission, Jenga, Jewel Quest 2, Mercenaries 2, and Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift and more.

Previously this year, Handango announced distribution deals with EA Mobile and Capcom as part of its ongoing effort to increase entertainment and gaming options for smartphone users.

Olympic record breaker Michael Phelps and 505 Games, will develop console and iPhone videogames. The first title is scheduled for release in spring 2010 and will be developed by 505 Games’ newly formed U.S. operations in Los Angeles.

505 Games will donate a portion of the videogame proceeds to the Michael Phelps Foundation.

“I am really excited to partner with 505 Games and work with them to develop a game that is reflective of my personality, lifestyle and competitive nature,” said Phelps. “I believe this will be a tremendous opportunity to help continue my quest to raise the profile for the sport of swimming.”

We are in the process of compiling the best app must-haves for the BlackBerry Storm and found that Mobigloo has released a version of Nintaii their box tipping game that uses the BlackBerry Storm accelerometer.

Nintaii is a brain twisting puzzle game of rolling blocks and switches. Be ready to roll your block over the course of this 100 level challenge. Just like most of the greatest puzzle games, Nintaii has a simple concept and yet proves to be very challenging, electrifying and attractive!

Nintaii

The Japanese kanji 'nintai' means patience, perseverance, or endurance. To see a demo of the game watch the video that follows.

Are you ready to rock and roll?  Strum guitars or beat drums on your mobile phone? Hands-On Mobile can rock your mobile you with Guitar Hero World Tour Mobile. 

Guitar Hero World Tour Mobile is available today on major carriers nationwide and will be debuting in January on Android.

Guitar Hero World Tour Mobile has real-time multiplayer capabilities and MP3 quality original artist recordings,  Players can take their Guitar Hero experience beyond the phone and create profiles, download new songs and track player rankings through the game’s web companion located at: www.guitarheromobile.com/worldtour.

Thumbplay's mobile games will now be featured on-deck with all Cellular South-supported mobile phones. This is the first time a U.S. wireless carrier has engaged a direct-to-consumer content provider to populate its on-deck portal.

Cellular South customers will now be able to browse, buy and download Thumbplay content directly from their handsets or Thumbplay's Web site. Thumbplay offers more than 100,000 pieces of licensed content including music, videos and games that will be available for purchase by Cellular South customers either a la carte or via subscription-based credits.

SEGA Mobile is offering Samba de Amigo for mobile phones.  Samba de Amigo is a lively, maraca-shaking rhythm music game originally made popular in the arcades. Samba de Amigo for mobile phones features an upbeat soundtrack of popular songs and is a portable fiesta of fun.

With a cheeky monkey named Amigo taking center stage, players are challenged to grab hold of the beat and unlock songs as they jam to an eclectic soundtrack featuring a mix of festive favorites and original music, such as Tequila, Tubthumping and Oye Como Va. Samba de Amigo features three game modes - Training, Challenge and Arcade - to keep the party going.  

Developed by Big Blue Bubble, Samba de Amigo for mobile phones is now available for download on T-Mobile and AT&T carrier decks in North America, and will be available on Verizon Wireless later this year. Pricing varies by carrier, but ranges from $3.49 to $7.99.  To check availability for your phone, or for more information, please visit www.segamobile.com.