LOS ANGELES-Video gamers worldwide reveled at the new products and titles premiering at the Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) video game trade show, and wireless players shared in the enthusiasm. Indeed, wireless was a prevalent theme at the show, with players from Nokia Corp. to Digital Bridges to Nintendo announcing products and services using wireless technology.
Among the announcements:
c Nintendo and Sony Corp. showed off their new handheld video game devices. Both devices, the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP, feature Wi-Fi support for multiplayer gaming.
c Not to be left out, Nokia Corp. continued to trumpet its N-Gage mobile-phone/video-game device with plans for eight additional game titles from the likes of Capcom and Atari. Nokia also said it will team with software company Criterion Software to foster the development of games for the N-Gage. Criterion’s RenderWare video-game design platform will support N-Gage development.
c Video-game company Square Enix said it will sell wireless games through Sprint PCS, including those based on its “Final Fantasy” and “Dragon Quest” brands. The move comes as Sprint continues to promote its wireless games portfolio.
c Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. boasted of its focus on wireless games in both its handsets and services and said it plans to announce additional sponsorships in gaming, music and extreme sports throughout the year.
c Wireless entertainment publisher Mforma said it scored the license to Atari Interactive’s Milton Bradley and Parker Brothers brands and will distribute wireless versions of “Connect Four,” “Checkers” and other games. Mforma also said it will sell a multiplayer Poker game that will allow four players to simultaneously compete against each other over Sprint’s network.
c European gaming company Digital Bridges made a series of major announcements, including new games and licensing deals with the likes of TKO Software Inc., MGM and Vivendi Universal.
c Gaming company Macrospace released its new “Scooby-Doo 2 Dark Dungeons” game through its deal with Cartoon Network. The game coincides with the release of the new Scooby-Doo movie.
c Sorrent said it will launch two new games through its deal with Fox Sports, “Batter Up! by Fox Sports” and “Fox Sports Track and Field.”
c Upstart Games said it will sell several Konami Corp. games through Sprint’s Vision service, starting with the arcade classic “Frogger.”
c Jumbuck Entertainment said it scored the license to Paramount Pictures’ “Star Trek” original series, and will sell games based on the franchise.
c Handset technology company Wildseed said it will sell a “Mortal Kombat”-branded faceplate accessory for its upcoming Identity mobile phone. The faceplate will include the “Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance” game.
c Thumbworks Inc. will sell BREW games based on the “Around the World in 80 Days” movie.
