The global revenue of the mobile phone games industry is expected to touch a whopping USD 11.2 billion by the year 2010. This is ample testimony to the popularity and enormous growth potential of the mobile gaming market. Though downloads will account for a majority of the revenue, online multiplayer games are expected to make a significant contribution to this growth.
Understanding The Basics Of Mobile Phone Games
- A mobile game is a video game played on a mobile phone or a handheld computer. Mobile games can also be played on PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and smartphone. However, handheld video game systems do not come under the gambit of mobile games.
- Mobile games are played using the technologies present in the mobile device itself, installed over the air or side loaded into the handset with the help of cables. Mobile games are sometimes preloaded into the handset or downloaded via the mobile operator’s radio network. The other download methods are via infrared connection or Bluetooth, a wireless protocol.
- Multimedia cards are an important games delivery mechanism in the retail market, particularly for 3D and feature-rich 2D titles.
Downloading Mobile Games
It is important to remember that mobile games are ‘model’ specific. This simply means that any mobile game will not work on any model of mobile phone. You will need to check the compatibility of the two before you order your game. You additionally need to check whether-
- You have Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) capability. This means your mobile phone is WAP enabled and allows content to be viewed.
- Your power source is adequate and you have enough memory space in your device.
- You have the network’s consent to download from any site.
How does the game get to your mobile phone? Once you have ordered and paid for your game, you will receive a download link on your mobile. When you open the link and select the option to retrieve, your mobile phone will display the description of the game. All that you need to do now is download the game, which may take around 60 seconds time.
New Trends - Multiplayer Games
A multiplayer game allows you to play against real opponents in real time. However, certain constraints are coming in the way of success of multiplayer gaming. These include poor network performances and radically different design expectations for multiplayer gaming.
Mobile phones have gone beyond making phone calls and sending messages. Mobile phone games are now a source of entertainment while being on the move. Local mobile game development service is now eyeing customized game development for international brands, advertising companies, and publishers. The futuristic trends in mobile phone games appear to be endless.