Games | Fone Arena

Nokia announces alien adventure Space Alliance

Nokia, the leader in mobile communications, announced that in the first quarter of next year, hundreds of thousands of players can expect to be able to connect through “Space Alliance,” a massively multi-player online game available on selected Java technology-enabled mobile phones through the Nokia SNAP Mobile service.

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE November 30, 2005

Nokia announces launch date of intergalactic alien adventure "Space Alliance"

Massively multiplayer sci-fi action game to hit Java phones in Q1 2006 through the Nokia SNAP Mobile service

Espoo, Finland – Nokia, the leader in mobile communications, announced that in the first quarter of next year, hundreds of thousands of players can expect to be able to connect through "Space Alliance," a massively multi-player online game (MMOG) available on selected Java technology-enabled mobile phones through the Nokia SNAP Mobile service. Announced earlier this year at E3 as "Space Shooter," "Space Alliance" tasks humans with defending themselves from a massively coordinated alien attack. Gamers can go at it alone or build an online team of fellow pilots to destroy these vile creatures and save the human race.

"To really play upon the community aspect that accompanies all Nokia SNAP Mobile titles, we decided to pit gamers against the bad guys in ‘Space Alliance,’ rather than against each other," said Lisa Waits, head of Nokia SNAP Mobile. "By giving gamers the opportunity to form alliances, we’re giving new meaning to the type of comraderie possible in massively multi-player arenas."

"Space Alliance," developed by Monkey Business, is a 3D space shooter game where players take part in a massively co-operative persistent online intergalactic war. Players work together to annihilate alien forces, construct new starbases and fighter factories, build automated defenses, and respond to other players’ distress signals. A live moderator provides mid- to long-term strategy for the alien fleets, and can add new elements to a game in play to keep the players busy or to assist them. The moderator also maintains an online "blog" that includes information on the history of the galaxy, and what has taken place prior to the alien attack. Like other titles developed for Nokia SNAP Mobile, "Space Alliance" offers friends list and chat, but also includes score reporting, leader boards and community news boards.

"The game is action packed enough to be played solo, but working as a team offers gamers the sense they are contributing to the greater good," said Burt Sloane, ‘Top Banana’ at Monkey Business. "Think about it – we all love to cheer for the home team – so what better way to evoke that same emotion in a mobile game than to offer players the chance to join forces? If collaboration isn’t the best definition of community gameplay, I’m not sure what is."

All of the online Java games created for the Nokia SNAP Mobile platform are supported by both Nokia and non-Nokia phones. Space Alliance is expected to be available in Q1 2006. To download screen shots and game information, go to www.extranet.n-gage.com. For more on the Nokia SNAP Mobile service, please visit www.snapmobile.nokia.com.

About Nokia

Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia is dedicated to enhancing people’s lives and productivity by providing easy-to-use and secure products like mobile phones, and solutions for imaging, games, media, mobile network operators and businesses. Nokia is a broadly held company with listings on five major exchanges.

Going For Gold With The N-Gage Arena Medal Games Tournament

Now’s the time to sign up for the N-Gage Arena Medal Games Tournament and with it, the chance for N-Gage Arena users to prove that they really are the best in the world at their favorite N-Gage titles.

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE November 30, 2005

Going For Gold With The N-Gage Arena Medal Games Tournament

The biggest global online mobile phone multiplayer event

Espoo, Finland -Now’s the time to sign up for the N-Gage Arena Medal Games Tournament and with it, the chance for N-Gage Arena users to prove that they really are the best in the world at their favorite N-Gage titles. With tens of thousands of gamers eligible to participate in five of the N-Gage Arena’s most popular titles including Colin McRae Rally 2005 and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, it’s time to let the games begin.

Competitors placing within the top ten in any game will earn points, while the top three will receive medals, N-Gage games and their own exclusive merchandise from some of the biggest titles this year. It doesn’t end there either. The player with the highest number of points by the end of the Tournament will win themselves an N-Gage QD Silver Edition, more games and even more exclusive merchandise.

The Medal Games Tournament runs from December 2, 2005 until January 2, 2006 , and you can sign up at any time throughout the Tournament, but remember: If you don’t sign up you can’t take part, so visit http://arena.n-gage.com and get on board.

"Connectivity is such an important part of the N-Gage experience for our gamers," says Rob Sears, director, Community Technology Management, Nokia. "This is our way of showing them how important it is to us too."

The five games featured in the tournament are: Colin McRae Rally 2005, Tomb Raider, Pandemonium, The Sims Bustin’ Out and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater.

Email and text message alerts will be going out to subscribers of the N-Gage newsletter reminding them to sign up, and users can find more information about the tournament through the new Arena Launcher version 2.5 or by going to http://arena.n-gage.com

About N-Gage

The N-Gage game deck is an innovative mobile device that is creating an entirely new market for the games industry. Built for active gamers, the N-Gage platform is the first mobile and connected game deck to feature online high-quality 3D multiplayer gameplay over Bluetooth wireless technology and GPRS. The N-Gage device also offers unique online games services as well as a comprehensive and growing games catalogue from the leading game publishers. Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Nokia and N-Gage are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nokia Corporation.

Asphalt Urban GT2 ships on the N-Gage Platform

Nokia today announced that it has shipped Asphalt: Urban GT(TM) 2, the rip-roaring sequel to the fantasy racing game on the N-Gage platform.

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE November 7, 2005

Prepare for the ride of your life as Asphalt: Urban GT (TM) 2 ships on the N-Gage Platform

Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced that it has shipped Asphalt: Urban GT(TM) 2, the rip-roaring sequel to the fantasy racing game on the N-Gage platform.

Ramping up the vehicle choice for this edition of the franchise, developer and publisher Gameloft has really spiced up the action. In addition to 37 fully customizable cars, ranging from Hummer to the delectable Aston Martin, Asphalt: Urban GTä 2 also gives gamers the chance to race on two wheels with a selection of 8 motorbikes to choose from. Even better game physics and collision effects create an intense improved driving experience on 15 tracks in 14 real locations from San Francisco to Tokyo further intensify Gameplay.

Gamers and up to three friends can enjoy Asphalt: Urban GTä 2’s visually stunning graphics via Bluetooth connectivity and can compare their skills to players worldwide via shadow racing and score upload capabilities on the N-Gage Arena.

"For the second time, fans of the Asphalt series on the N-Gage platform will get the chance to experience high octane fantasy driving but this time with new tracks, new vehicles and better graphics." says Gregg Sauter, Director Games Publishing, Nokia. "So get ready for the ride of your life!"

Fans of Asphalt: Urban GTä 2 can also try before they buy, with a free downloadable demo available from http://arena.n-gage.com/n-gage/web/en/downloads/gamesdemos/index.html, letting gamers choose from two licensed cars and two motorbikes to race for a limited time in San Francisco or Tokyo. In addition, the demo also offers the possibility to race against a friend via Bluetooth wireless technology.

Asphalt: Urban GT(TM) 2 also features loading screens images of sexy girl group The Pussycat Dolls and real music from Moby with the track ‘Lift Me Up’ from the album Hotel.

About Gameloft

Gameloft is a leading international publisher and developer of video games for mobile phones. Established in 1999, it has emerged as one of the top innovators in its field. The company creates games for mobile handsets equipped with Java, Brew or Symbian technology. The total number of mobile handsets with this technology is anticipated to exceed one billion units in 2007. Partnership agreements with leading licensors and sports personalities such as Ubisoft Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Paramount Studios, Dreamworks, Vans, Vijay Singh and Geoff Rowley allow Gameloft to form strong relationships with international brands. In addition to the partnerships, Gameloft owns and operates titles such as Block Breaker Deluxe, Asphalt: Urban GT and Siberian Strike. Through agreements with major telephone wireless carriers, handset manufacturers, specialized distributors and its online shop, Gameloft has a distribution network in over 65 countries. Gameloft has worldwide offices in New York, San Francisco, Montreal, Paris, London, Düsseldorf, Milan, Barcelona, Beijing, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Gameloft is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0000079600, Bloomberg: GFT FP, Reuters: GFT.PA) For more information visit www.gameloft.com.

About N-Gage

The N-Gage game deck is an innovative mobile device that is creating an entirely new market for the games industry. Built for active gamers, the N-Gage platform is the first mobile and connected game deck to feature online high-quality 3D multiplayer game play over Bluetooth wireless technology and GPRS. The N-Gage device also offers unique online games services as well as a comprehensive and growing games catalogue from the leading game publishers. Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Nokia and N-Gage are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nokia Corporation.

Mobile gaming to hit Rs 1,500 cr by 2010

Indians are spearheading the mobile gaming revolution around the world, quietly. Consider this: when a youngster in Australia plays cricket on his mobile, or another in the US weaves Spiderman?s webs or a teenager in Russia hits a Maria Sharapova forehand on her mobile set, chances are that these games have been developed in India

Indians are spearheading the mobile gaming revolution around the world, quietly. Consider this: when a youngster in Australia plays cricket on his mobile, or another in the US weaves Spiderman’s webs or a teenager in Russia hits a Maria Sharapova forehand on her mobile set, chances are that these games have been developed in India

In fact, an Indian provider has developed three of the four games included in the next month’s World Mobile Gaming Championships in Singapore.

One reason for the prominance of Indian companies might be the popularity of these games in India itself. Within a year, the market has expanded from a mere Rs 25 crore to at least Rs 80 crore in 2005.

In another five years, it is set to touch the Rs 1,500 crore mark. “This is due to the stupendous growth of mobile users — at 3 million a month. And 40 per cent of the handsets sold are JAVA-enabled (needed to download games),” says Rajiv Hiranandani, country head, Mobile2win India, a mobile games provider.

Read Full Story [Business-Standard]

Nazara Signs India’s Biggest Mobile Content Deal

Nazara has signed a $4 million deal with Indian cricket player Sachin Tendulkar for exclusive rights to market mobile content based on the sportsman around the world. The deal was announced a month ago, but the dollar figure was released today. They claim it is the biggest mobile content deal ever done in India, and I�m inclined to believe it.

Nazara has signed a 3 year licensing deal worth over $4 million with India’s most famous sportsman Sachin Tendulkar and is probably the biggest mobile content license with a brand in Asia

(PRWEB) India, Mumbai, February 15, 2005 — In a first of its kind deal in India, the Mumbai-based Nazara Technologies has signed a worldwide exclusive deal with famous cricketer Sachin Tendulkar to develop a wide range of mobile phone content based on him. The three year deal worth in excess of $4 million is probably the biggest such brand licensing agreement that has taken place in this part of the world for mobile content and is a signal to the kind of growth expected in the mobile content Industry in India over the next few years.

Nazara gets an exclusive licence to develop mobile content on Tendulkar, using his likeness and name, and distribute it worldwide. The company will distribute the content to mobile operators who, in turn, will market it.

According to Nitish Mittersain, CEO of Nazara, �We are very excited about both the opportunity presented by the mobile content industry in India and its expected growth over the next few years, as well as our association with Sachin who is Cricket�s biggest ambassador not only in India but world over. We look forward to bringing fun products based on Sachin to millions of mobile phone users in the coming months.???

“We expect strong demand from mobile operators, considering Tendulkar’s brand recognition and image. We are already in discussions with operators in the UK for a major launch in their market with Tendulkar’s games, based on cutting-edge mobile technology. The US was also a huge market with over 2 million Indians, a targeted consumer base, he added.???

The license was facilitated by Sachin Tendulkar�s managers at Wordtel.

The product line up will include games, wallpapers, screensavers, themes, SMS trivia, the latest news on Tendulkar and mobile communities based on him.

About Nazara Technologies
Nazara is India�s fastest growing mobile game developer / publisher and works with all mobile operators in India as well as several mobile operators worldwide. The company develops mobile entertainment products including games based on well known brands and distributes these products to millions of mobile phone users. Nazara is founded by 24 year old Nitish Mittersain who has been actively involved with the I.T. industry for the last several years. He has been the recipient of several awards including the Young Achievers Award by the Indo-American society and has also held the post of Co-Chairman of the National I.T. committee at the Indian Merchants Chamber in recent years.

Chinese media firm eyes Indian market

The company is interested in expanding into India’s film, publishing and online markets after a foray into the mobile gaming arena.

BOMBAY: China-focused media firm Tom Group Ltd. is interested in expanding into India’s film, publishing and online markets after a foray into mobile gaming, its chief executive said.

Tom, backed by Hong Kong’s richest businessman Li Ka-Shing, hopes to leverage off its Chinese experience to pursue a range of possible businesses in its southern neighbor from Internet portals to publishing magazines.

“Everyone talks about India and China across industries, and firms from both countries have set up operations in each other’s markets, but we haven’t had such ventures in media,” Sing Wang, Tom’s chief executive officer, said in a interview.

He said cultural and language differences, as well as the regulatory framework in both countries may be hurdles, but were not insurmountable.

The firm is eyeing India’s fast-growing online market.

“I think we’re at the tip of a very large potential market,” added Wang, who was in Bombay for an entertainment conference.

“India’s online market is still very small, with only 30 million registered Internet users — China has twice as many users — and I know mobile phones are taking off very quickly in India,” he said.

The firm, which owns 65 magazine titles, will also look at the publishing market in India, he said.

Film was another area with potential, he said, despite China only permitting 20 foreign films to be imported every year.

“I understand kung fu movies are very popular in India, and I believe Indian films can be popular in China, too,” said Wang.

Tom Group recently acquired a stake in a private Chinese film maker, one of a string of investments the firm has made in Chinese firms after the government introduced new rules to open up China’s growing media business.

“While China has some of the best hardware, it lags behind in software, or content, which is not as sophisticated as India’s”, he added.

Tom’s gaming partner Indiagames, founded in 1999, is the market leader in mobile gaming and provides content for all major Indian mobile operators as well as several global brands. It derives more than 80 percent of its revenues from exports.

“It is a small company, but it is profitable and it’s growing, and we’re very happy with our investment,” said Wang.

Tom Online Games, a subsidiary of Tom Online Inc., is due to complete buying an 80.6 percent stake in Bombay-based Indiagames for US$17.7 million by the end of April.

Tom Online Inc. is a unit of the Tom Group.

Tom Group, a former Internet startup and an associate of Hutchison Whampoa Ltd., posted a net profit of HK$860 million (US$110 million) last year. It is targeting a doubling of revenue by 2007, largely on the back of China’s fast-growing media market.

� Reuters

Indiagames to develop live mobile game show

Indiagames has announced it plans to launch a live mobile game show �Gotta play gotta win???. Far from being the killer app the claims, the game seems to be a normal interactive multiplayer game

Indiagames has announced it plans to launch a live mobile game show �Gotta play gotta win???. Far from being the killer app the claims, the game seems to be a normal interactive multiplayer game with the addition of some prizes. The prizes mentioned are simple mobile phone things like ringtones and wallpapers, but if some serious goodies were available – such as a fridge, car or holiday – the game would get a lot more exciting. If there was a way to make this like a real game show, where the thousands of potential players could be whittled down to just a few to compete for some big stuff, the program could be very successful. Mobile gaming is seen as the �rising star??? in India, despite being relatively low value at this time. �In-Stat/MDR expects that the Indian mobile gaming market will generate $26 million (US$) in revenue in 2004, and will increase to $336 million in annual revenue by 2009.??? Which is an increase of over 1000% over five years, but off a small base�