Author Archive

Shanda Acquires Mobile Games Developer Digital-Red

September 8th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited, the largest operator of online games in China, announced today that it has signed an agreement to purchase the remaining interest that it did not already own in Beijing Digital-Red Mobile Software Co., Ltd., or Digital-Red ( http://www.worldup.com ), a leading developer of games for mobile devices. Shanda had initially purchased a minority stake in Digital-Red on January 13, 2004. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, an initial installment will be paid in cash, with the remaining consideration to be paid in cash in 2006 based on the actual earnings performance of Digital-Red in 2005. More …

Gaming to be Key Contributor to Wireless Data Usage and Revenues

September 7th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Research & Stats | 1 Comment »

With good momentum already in the US and worldwide, In-Stat/MDR believes that mobile gaming, while remaining a niche market, will continue its rise as a key contributor to wireless data usage and revenues. The high-tech market research firm estimates that, by 2009, mobile gaming services in the US will generate $1.8 billion annually, or approximately 4.4% of total wireless data revenues. Additionally, by 2009, 78.6 million wireless subscribers in the US will play mobile games, and gaming downloads will increase more than tenfold from 2003 levels.

“Mobile gaming has come a long way since ‘Snake’ was first deployed on wireless handsets in 1997,” says In-Stat/MDR’s Director of Wireless Research, Clint Wheelock. In-Stat/MDR’s recent Consumer Mobility Study revealed that, at present, 6.5% of US wireless subscribers are extremely or very interested in purchasing mobile gaming services. According to Wheelock, “This level of interest clearly identifies mobile gaming as a niche opportunity for wireless carriers, application developers, and content producers.” More …

Phone and Games: Video games for your cell phone could be the next big thing

September 7th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Trends | No Comments »

PAC-MAN, solitaire, Frogger and a slew of new video games are making a splash in a smaller pool — the tiny screens of powerful new cell phones that are being lapped up by consumers.

The graphics are scaled down, and the play may be simplified compared to what you get with a home videogame console.

And at $2 to $6 a game, they may not seem like big moneymakers on the surface. But investors see huge potential for these tiny games played on cell phones. More …

Survival is the name of the game

September 6th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Trends | No Comments »

… But the consolidation in the UK, which has caused so much pain to both game publishers and developers, has led to one unexpected bonus. Many developers, instead of taking on board the risks of creating ever more console titles, have turned to making games for mobile phones.

The UK is the world leader in the rapidly expanding mobile phone game market. Digital Bridges, based in Dunfermline, has just signed a money-spinning deal with Electronic Arts that will consolidate its position as one of the largest mobile game developers in the world.

Another bright note is that the likes of EA and Microsoft all have their European headquarters in the UK and have established large development teams here. More …

EA Announces Next Step into Mobile Gaming; Digital Bridges Named as Strategic Partner for Distribution of Mobile Interactive Entertainment in Europe, North and South America

September 3rd, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

Electronic Arts, the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company, today outlined the company’s next step to strengthen its offering of games designed for play on mobile phones. In a keynote speech today at the European Games Network (EGN) exhibition in London, Gerhard Florin, Managing Director and Senior Vice President of Electronic Arts, announced plans to bring additional opportunities for players to enjoy interactive entertainment on the go.

In addition to EA’s major investments in the Sony PSP(TM), Nintendo DS(TM) and Nokia N-Gage(TM), the company announced plans to build on the success of its franchises such as FIFA Football and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR(R) in the mobile gaming space. Beginning this year, EA will produce and develop titles that will continue to bring mobile phone gaming experiences to consumers that are consistent with their already well-loved console games. More …

JAMDAT and Nickelodeon Team Up to Bring Hit Shows “Dora the Explorer” and “Blue’s Clues” to Mobile Phones

September 3rd, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Games | No Comments »

Global wireless entertainment publisher JAMDAT Mobile Inc., announced today an agreement with Nickelodeon, the number-one-rated basic cable network for more than eight consecutive years (per Nielsen Media Research), to develop and distribute games for mobile phones based on top preschool properties, “Dora the Explorer” and “Blue’s Clues.”

“JAMDAT is pleased to be making games based on the top two shows for preschoolers,” said Mitch Lasky, Chief Executive Officer of JAMDAT Mobile Inc. “Through our relationship with Nickelodeon Online, we will bring these franchises to life through for mobile phones in ways that are faithful to the spirit of the shows.” More …

EA to boost mobile-phone games

September 3rd, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

Gaming giant Electronic Arts will boost production of video games for mobile phones over the next nine months, bringing top-selling franchises “Fifa Football” and “The Sims” to handsets, the company says.

By mid-2005, EA will offer for download four mobile-phone game titles sold through most major mobile-phone operators in Europe, North America and Latin .

Compared to the booming video game business, the market for mobile-phone gaming, estimated by consultants at $1 billion (560 million pounds) this year, has been slow to take off as consumers have been forced to settle for simpler games often with inferior graphics.

And handset design has proved to be less than ideal for zapping alien invaders or sinking a game-winning putt. As a result, top-flight publishers such as EA have adapted few of their titles for phones. More …. More … (2)

Nokia Ships One Million N-Gage Game Decks

September 2nd, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Smartphones & Tablets | No Comments »

Nokia today announced that it has shipped its one millionth game deck globally since the sales of the N-Gage platform started eleven months ago. The sale of one million N-Gage and N-Gage QD game decks marks a significant milestone in the world of portable gaming, placing the N-Gage platform at the forefront of the mobile gaming world. Combining a pocketable gaming platform with powerful smartphone features, the N-Gage gives gamers a chance to experience mobile multiplayer gaming in a revolutionary way.

“We’re proud to have reached the one million milestone. Thanks to the enthusiastic consumer response to the N-Gage QD and our latest titles, we’re confident that our success in leading the mobile gaming world will continue,” said Ilkka Raiskinen, Nokia’s Senior Vice President of Games. “We’re also proud to have signed up over 100,000 N-Gage Arena members, which shows that gamers are inspired to connect and compete with other mobile gamers from around the world.” More …

All About A Lofty Games Company

September 1st, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

Gameloft was founded in 1999 by Michel Guillemot, co-founder of Ubisoft. Michel has been in the video games business for around 20 years and on seeing the new wave of mobile phones, he decided to create a new company to focus on these new formats. They are now recognised for state-of-the-art titles, and as one of the market leaders in mobile gaming. Charles Revillion had been working in the video games industry long before joining Gameloft as their Marketing and PR Manager in the UK.

All About Symbian caught up with Charles to find out how all this affects Symbian powered phones, how Gameloft see the mobile market develop, what they think of the N-Gage, Symbian OS and how the whole mobile space looks today… More …

Kayak Interactive Announces new CEO: Keith McCurdy

August 31st, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in People | No Comments »

Kayak Interactive, the company making multiplayer gaming a reality in the mobile entertainment industry, announces that Keith McCurdy, former Electronic Arts Vice President for Online and Product Development, has joined the company as CEO.

“Keith’s track record of growing community-based businesses in the game industry makes him a strong leader for Kayak,” says Duncan Davidson, Board Director, Kayak Interactive. “He is uniquely positioned to advance the company as the mobile game market shifts from static, single-player gaming to network connected, dynamic, multiplayer games.” More …