HELSINKI, Finland-Due to a rash of deals in recent days, wireless users the world over will soon have access to games and content ranging from the arcade classic Pong to a game based on the TV show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”
Such deal-making and the resulting products continue at a frantic pace as startups, carriers and handset makers look to take advantage of the wireless data industry.
Indeed, one of the most notable content and gaming efforts comes from Nokia Corp., which in October should release its N-Gage mobile-phone/ video-game device. The company recently announced a deal with video game company Electronic Arts to develop games for the platform.
However, according to research firm Strategy Analytics, Nokia will face competition from a variety of sources, including video game mainstay Nintendo.
“Nokia will need to sell a large number of the N-Gage games console in order for users to truly benefit from its multi-player interactivity,” said Phil Taylor, the firm’s senior analyst. “Building a large community of N-Gage users will be essential to the success of this functionality and will make the console more appealing to the carrier community. Priced at $300, Strategy Analytics predicts worldwide N-Gage sales will reach 2 million to 3 million units in 2004.”
In other content news, Qualcomm Inc. announced a series of new applications and content for its BREW application download service. iFone Ltd. said it would roll out BREW-based titles such as classic Atari favorites Centipede, Asteroids and Breakout, among others. Mobile Scope AG said it would develop games, including Moorhen Kart Racer and Moorhen Playsuit. Jumbuck Entertainment said it would create several sports and fighting games for the platform. And Cosmic Infinity said it would release a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Mobile Edition for the BREW service.
Separately, Vindigo Studios announced it will sell its Vindigo city guide on Sprint PCS’ network.
And Digital Bridges signed a deal with Rancon Ltd. to offer its Mission: Mars game.
