Author Archive

Overloaded all over the TV in Cannes

September 30th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

Overloaded the leading mobile games developer and distributor announced today that they will be taking part in the annual MIPTV show in Cannes on October 4th until October 8th 2004. Their stand number will be H4.32.

Ashu Mathura (Managing Director of Overloaded) said “Overloaded is already a leading developer and publisher for TV related video games for mobile phones. Together with Endemol International we have developed games around brands like BigBrother, FearFactor, Deal or no Deal and others. Together with Dupuis we are developing a series of games around the cartoon and TV character Largo Winch. Being present at MIP is a clear signal of our commitment to the industry and that we want to stay a leader in TV related video games for mobile phones!”. More …

Jamdat shares up 45 percent in first day of trade

September 30th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

Shares of wireless game maker Jamdat Mobile Inc. (JMDT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) rose as much as 45 percent on Wednesday in their first trading day, boosted by investors betting on the emerging sector of mobile video games.

Jamdat shares were up $6.56 at $22.56 in afternoon trading on Nasdaq after 5.55 million shares were priced at $16 in the company’s initial public offering.

Video gaming analyst Colin Sebastian of Schwab Soundview Capital Markets said investors were attracted by a growing market in which few publicly traded companies compete so far. More …

Nokia: Search for the mobile gaming icon

September 29th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Smartphones & Tablets, Trends | No Comments »

Youngsters trying their hand to be India’s first mobile gaming champion, in Bangalore.

If playing on the mobile is fun, a championship to find the best amongst you should be more fun. Nokia, the mobile phone major with a keen eye on the gaming industry, apparently realised this much before everyone else. For proof, one had to simply gatecrash into their “N-Gage QD Challenge” mobile gaming championship, which had three challenge zones in Bangalore abuzz for the last two days. More …

Blister Entertainment Launches North America’s First GPS Cell Phone Game

September 29th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Games, Location Based Gaming | No Comments »

Blister Entertainment Inc. has turned the world into a virtual ocean and cell phones into fishing rods with the launch of “Swordfish,” North America’s first GPS-based cell phone game.

Recently released on Bell Mobility’s network across Canada, Swordfish uses satellite technology and KnowledgeWhere’s proprietary Location Application Platform to scan for and locate virtual schools of swordfish. Players become part of the game and must move to where the fish are located. Then using their cell phone like a fishing rod, they try to hook and land the big one, and compete with other players to make the national high score leader board.

“Blister and KnowledgeWhere are at the forefront of location-based entertainment and creating a new category within the worldwide mobile entertainment industry,” said Paul Poutanen, President of Blister Entertainment.

Together Blister and KnowledgeWhere are working toward developing many location-based entertainment products for wireless carriers around the world. Blister’s licensed products are designed with one thing in common – location, and supported by an array of technologies that drive location-based entertainment. More …

BBMF Purchases Japanese Distribution Channels and Atlus Co. Ltd. Increases Equity Investment in BBMF

September 29th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

BBMF Corporation announced today that it has signed two definitive agreements with Atlus Co. Ltd. (Jasdaq: 7866), a leading manufacturer of gaming software for platforms such as commercial arcade games and home gaming consoles.

Under a sale and license agreement, BBMF will purchase Atlus’ Japanese mobile distribution business for the aggregate purchase price of JPY 300,000,000 and has been granted an exclusive, 10-year worldwide license to use Atlus’ game contents, characters and the Atlus trademark, with the exception of certain mobile game contents, which license BBMF has received on a non-exclusive basis. Atlus will receive from BBMF a percent of revenue earned from game distribution. More …

THQ Wireless Brings Midway Arcade Classics to Mobile Phones

September 29th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A, Games | No Comments »

The Best Games of The 80’s and 90’s Are Back … And This Time They Are Mobile!

THQ Wireless(TM) Inc. today announced that it has obtained a license from Midway(R) to bring seven of the best Midway arcade titles to mobile devices. All games and content are expected to be available through leading carriers worldwide.

From Mortal Kombat’s signature moves, to the flying action of Joust, to the outer space warfare of Defender, THQ Wireless is bringing Midway’s classic arcade hits to mobile users across the globe.

“Midway’s timeless arcade classics remain as fun and addictive as they were nearly 10 to 20 years ago — these hits will never go out of style,” said Tim Walsh, president of THQ Wireless. “It’s a testimony to technological advances that gameplay experiences that once stood six feet tall can now fit into gamer’s pockets.”

“Midway is excited to see THQ bring these classics to mobile phones,” said Steve Booth, vice president of licensing at Midway. “THQ has committed to develop content and graphics that have the same look, feel and sounds of the original arcade games; you can carry an entire arcade everywhere you go.” More …

Nokia APAC’s first developer for N-Gage QD

September 27th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A, Games | No Comments »

SL Interactive Pte Ltd, a local game developer and publisher, is the first developer in Singapore and Nokia APAC to fully develop and have its title, Phantom Operations, exclusively showcased and embedded in Nokia’s N-Gage QD

Built using SL Interactive’s isometric turn-based combat engine, players are in command of a vampire, an exorcist and a dark angel in this gothic adventure. “Being handpicked by Nokia over other global leading companies to develop an N-Gage showcase goes to show that we have the necessary skill sets and competencies to match up to the industry’s big boys”, commented Fei Loo, general manager of SL Interactive. More …

JAMDAT: Dialing For Games

September 27th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

Cell phones have morphed into e-mail devices and cameras from mere purveyors of chit-chat. The next big thing will be wireless games, thanks to expanding high-speed digital networks.

This may seem as trivial as, well, online poker, golf, football and–believe it or not–bowling, but it’s big bucks. Jamdat Mobile appears ready to grab a significant chunk of the burgeoning market.

Jamdat develops games, images and other entertainment content for the latest generation of wireless phones with high-resolution color displays and increased processing power. Customers download the games and the fee appears on their monthly cell phone bill. The company splits the game fee with the wireless carrier. More …

Singapore eyes big slice of games pie

September 27th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | 1 Comment »

A Games Creation Community set up to develop and market made-in-Singapore games hopes to have 20 titles in 2 years

THE electronic gaming industry here looks set to take off in a big way, now that creators, financiers and distributors have been brought together to produce made-in- Singapore games for the world.

The establishment of the Games Creation Community (GCC) yesterday means that the creator of a commercially viable game will no longer be at a loss for where to turn to for financing or distribution.

Already, 12 game start-ups and 12 partners, including SingTel, StarHub, Pacific Internet and foreign players like Japan’s HI Corporation, are part of the network. Fortune Ventures, a venture capitalist firm, has also come on board as a financial partner, and it may be joined by others. More …

IN-FUSIO’S IF Racing Head2Head Zooms on to U.S. Mobile Phones

September 23rd, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Games | No Comments »

New Mobile Game Features First Ever ‘Ghost Car Mode’

IN-FUSIO, the leading mobile game publisher and game services provider worldwide, today announced the launch of the highly anticipated sequel, IF Racing Head2Head. The newest instalment of the successful Formula One racing series is available now for mobile phones in the U.S. on the Brew(TM) platform and will launch next month for Java(TM).

Racing enthusiasts can slip behind the wheel of a slick, speedy Formula One car as they put their driving skills to the test and compete for the world championship. IF Racing Head2Head puts gamers at the starting line against 19 other drivers on 16 different international tracks, including Tokyo and Australia. Before securing the checkered flag, however, racers must head to the pits and adjust the engine, brakes, suspension system, gearbox and fuel tank to ensure their car is optimised for the weather and road conditions of each course. More …