Author Archive

MACROSPACE LAUNCHES GLOBAL MOBILE TO MOBILE, WEB TO MOBILE MULTIPLAYER GAMES

October 22nd, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Games | No Comments »

Macrospace, the global provider of mobile games and mobile gaming services, today announced the launch of a suite of innovative multiplayer mobile games. These new games allow players to compete in real-time using their mobile phones with not only other mobile users, but also PC users via their web browser, creating a whole new multiplayer dynamic. More …

NEW HELLO KITTY MOBILE GAMES TITLES FROM THQ WIRELESS

October 21st, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Games | No Comments »

THQ WirelessTM IncTM (“THQ Wireless”), a leading publisher of mobile games, announces that its portfolio of Hello Kitty Java mobile games has now been expanded with the addition of two new titles. This month, Hello Kitty celebrates its 30th anniversary as one of the world’s most recognizable brands. More …

EIDOS AND MACROSPACE TEAM UP FOR CRASH ‘N’ BURN TURBO

October 21st, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Games | No Comments »

Eidos, one of the world’s leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, and Macrospace, the global provider of mobile games and mobile gaming services, announce a deal to bring Crash ‘n’ Burn Turbo(TM) to mobile phones.

Under the terms of the agreement Macrospace will publish the mobile phone version of Eidos’ forthcoming arcade-style driving game Crash ‘n’ Burn(TM). In partnership with Eidos, Macrospace will actively promote the mobile title across all geographies and handset technologies, with versions of the game planned for Java, BREW and i-mode phones. More …

Netherlands: September 2004 Overloaded top game downloads

October 20th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Research & Stats | No Comments »

For the Overloaded portal in the Netherlands, the top10 downloads for September 2004 are:

BMW 1 Challenge
FruitMachine
SWAT Sniper
New York Taxi Cab
Black Hole Games
M-Sports Soccer
Bubble Trouble
Track and Furious
Delta Bomber
Breakthru

Top download devices September 2004 on Overloaded Netherlands:
Nokia 7210
Nokia 6600
Nokia 7610
Nokia 6230
Nokia 6610
Sony Ericsson T610
Samsung E700
Nokia 6100
Siemens C60
Nokia 3100

Australia: September 2004 Legion Interactive top game downloads

October 20th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Research & Stats | No Comments »

Some very intrested statistics on the Australian games market provided by Steve Watson from Legion Interactive.

September saw Java sales maintain the new high levels reached in August – with the WAP channels to market – Optus Zoo Arcade and Telstra – accounting for over half (53%) of all Java sales for the first time.

September Games Download Top 20

DRIV3R
Worms
Mobile Pet Monkey
Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow
Garfield Dreamland
Kamasutra
Cricket World Championship
Solitaire 2
Shark Hunt
Casino VIP
Kamasutra Special Edition
Van Helsing
Car Sex Kama Sutra
Real Football
XIII
Prince of Persia – Sands of Time
Summer Games
True Crime
WWE Cage
Rayman 3

Sorrent and Atari Celebrate the Legendary SIMON Game with Mobile Version

October 20th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Games | No Comments »

Leading Mobile Entertainment Publisher to Revamp Iconic ’80s Memory Game for New Generation

Sorrent, Inc., a leading creator and global publisher of mobile entertainment, and Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATAR) today announced an agreement to create the SIMON(TM) game for mobile, a cell phone adaptation of the legendary electronic memory game. The SIMON game for mobile recreates the magic of the original game with familiar red, yellow, green and blue flashing lights while delivering new, innovative features only possible on the mobile platform. The SIMON game, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary, was the first electronic memory game developed under license from Hasbro, Inc. More …

SkyZone Entertainment Announces Acquisition of JSmart Technologies

October 20th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | 1 Comment »

Acquisition Will Increase SkyZone’s Mobile Entertainment Market Position

SkyZone Entertainment, a wireless media leader that delivers fun and exciting “Made for Mobile”(TM) entertainment, today announced an agreement to acquire JSmart Technologies.

JSmart, a leader in casual gaming, is a publisher and developer of games and entertainment applications for mobile phones and handheld devices for the BlackBerry, BREW(R), JAVA, PALM OS(R), and Pocket PC operating systems. JSmart’s entertainment portfolio comprises of over 50 titles including popular games like Merriam-Webster Word Search, Merriam-Webster Spanish-English Dictionary, Betty Boop Crush, Crazy Eights, Concentration, Hangman Tournament and Felix the Cat Puzzles. More …

Game On. Virgin Mobile Serves Up Brand New, Youth-Relevant Suite of Downloadable Games to Its Customers

October 19th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | 1 Comment »

If idle hands are the devil’s workshop, then Virgin Mobile USA is making sure its customers have plenty to keep theirs busy. The nation’s top wireless provider to the youth market today announced the launch of a new suite of downloadable mobile gaming content.

For its gaming debut, Virgin Mobile’s platform will feature more than 20 downloadable games, ranging from sports, racing, puzzles, shooters, action, casino games and “old school,” arcade-style offerings.
“Our debut set of games has Virgin Mobile customers covered, whether they’re serious gamers or just looking to casually pass some time,” said Howard Handler, chief marketing officer of Virgin Mobile USA. “And, we will continue to add relevant titles to our catalog and take the overall gaming experience to the next level for our customers.” More …

Airborne Entertainment and Activision Value Take Aim with Cabela’s Big Game Hunter

October 19th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Games | No Comments »

Mobile Publisher Brings Hit PC and Console Simulation Game to Wireless

Airborne Entertainment and Activision Value Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) have just bagged this year’s biggest trophy by bringing Cabela’s(R) Big Game Hunter(TM) to wireless.

The mobile version of the game comes complete with all the thrills and challenges that have made it a perennial bestseller in the PC and console markets. Gamers can choose from one of three firearms as they explore multiple regions in search of big game and even bigger challenges. With 12 kinds of animals, two kinds of gameplay and acres of terrain to navigate they must manage their stamina and utilize stealth to bag the biggest trophies possible. Cabela’s(R) Big Game Hunter features crisp, beautiful graphics, engaging gameplay and a robust high score system including global and local high scores. More …

What Do Women Game Designers Want?

October 18th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Trends | No Comments »

A longtime game player, Denise Fulton of Ion Storm in Austin, Tex., is an executive producer overseeing a new installment in the Deus Ex series.

DENISE FULTON spent much of her childhood playing computer games. At 8, while growing up in Ohio, she was already playing Zork, Adventure and other text-based games. And the fascination continued into her adult years.

So it is not surprising that today Ms. Fulton, 34, is an executive producer at Ion Storm, a video game company in Austin, Tex., where she is overseeing the next installment in the popular Deus Ex series. More …