Orange Scores Hat-trick with mobile games
Orange UK has introduced three new mobile games including games for the iPhone.
The company is set to offer all its UK iPhone customers access to mobile games designed and produced by Orange, via the Apple App store. The application offers games like off-road racing, plus a selection of card games, including Blackjack and Poker.
Playtomo, a social gaming service will allow UK customers to play card and action games for free. it integrates with social networks so users can always share their scores with their friends and also challenge them.
Another one, Games Zone will be a £5-a-month subscription gaming service and it will offer Orange customers two free games each month, exclusive competitions and a 20% discount on additional purchases.
According to Orange’s Head of Gaming Products and Services, Neil Holroyd, this is an exciting time for Orange, with the launch of these new mobile gaming offerings forming a key part of their strategy to evolve their business through entertainment.
In his opinion innovative gaming services such as Playtomo and Games Zone give customers the best possible gaming experience and value for money on their mobile phone, while enabling them to develop their offering.
Connect2Media gains foothold in US through Acquisition of Sennari
Connect2Media, digital entertainment publisher has acquired US firm Sennari, which specializes in prize-incentivized games for mobile phones. The agreement includes all of Senanri’s games services and operational assets. It also provides Connect2Media with a US presence for the first time, allowing the company to better address the growing market requirement for a range of mobile entertainment services and applications.
Sennari’s Founder and President Mike Cartabiano will head up Connect2Media’s operator-led distribution business in North America. The timing of the acquisition coincides with changes to Apple’s rules, which permit sweepstakes and contests as part of games on the App Store.
Earlier Connect2Media was only present in the US market through third party distribution channels and had no direct representation with operators. While providing Connect2Media with a foundation on which to build its business with US operator customers, Sennari also brings its established PrizePlay platform and games to Connect2Media’s mobile entertainment offering, including the company’s mobile customer relationship management tools.
According to Eric Robson CEO of Connect2Media, as technology evolution continues, mobile gaming is becoming something more than a one-time download experience. With social games and ‘Freemium’ and advertising driven models becoming a part of the mobile experience, the company is committed to broadening choice for users everywhere.
Telefonica tests LTE calls with Alcatel-Lucent in Latin America
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The first call has been successfully made by Alcatel-Lucent in LTE lab tests, Telefonica is conducting in Latin America. The maturity and benefits of the LTE mobile broadband technology is being analyzed by Telefonica with these tests.
The first tests using Alcatel-Lucent’s LTE platform, including base stations, transmission equipment, Evolved Packet Core (EPC), as well as professional design and integration services in combination with devices from LG Electronics were delivered in Telefonica’s labs.
700 MHz and 2.6 GHz frequencies will be used in the second phase of the field tests to assess LTE’s performance in terms of coverage and capacity, supporting the delivery of new mobile multimedia applications, such as high-definition video streaming, mobile gaming, high-speed file transfers and video conferencing.
Nokia strikes deal for premium EA mobile content
Electronic Arts has confirmed support for the launch of Nokia’s next-gen mobile phone games platform, with a range of titles custom-designed for Nokia S60 devices.
Through Nokia’s Content Discoverer, consumers are able to download EA games through virtual shopping malls directly to their mobile devices.
“Nokia shares our vision of making it easy for people around the world to find and play the best quality games on their mobile phones,” said Mitch Lasky, senior VP of EA
“We are looking forward to working more closely with Nokia on promoting a delivery system that propels mobile gaming forward. This relationship will bring together EA’s great brands and development studios with Nokia’s innovative hardware and global consumer reach,” he added.
Some of EA’s biggest franchises initially available will include The Sims 2, FIFA 06, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06, FIFA Street 2, Doom, Tetris and Tetris Mania.
Nokia’s next-generation mobile phone gaming platform is due to launch in the first half of 2007, and continues the work already established by the company via its N-Gage gaming deck.
“The core of Nokia’s games strategy is to make it easy for people to find, buy and play great quality mobile games and we’re excited to expand our relationship with EA to help make that possible,” said Jaakko Kaidesoja, director of games and multimedia at Nokia.
“Nokia and EA have a common vision regarding the opportunities in mobile games and how to turn them into a reality.”
“When you combine Nokia’s leadership in hardware, usability and software platforms with EA’s brands and quality thresholds, the results will speak for themselves,” he added.
Source- http://www.gamesindustry.biz
