KIRKLAND, Wash.-Wireless multiplayer gaming continues to capture the imagination of the industry, with Mforma Group Inc. announcing the latest effort. The company introduced its new multiplayer IHRA Drag Racing game, which is based on the popular PlayStation console game by Bethesda Softworks.
The innovative game works on both BREW and Java platforms and allows users to drag race against each other. AT&T Wireless Services Inc., Cingular Wireless, Sprint PCS, T-Mobile USA Inc. and Verizon Wireless are participating in the multiplayer effort.
Subscribers can download the Java game (or BREW game if they are Verizon subscribers) to their handsets and can select the multiplayer option. The service will then scan for other gamers interested in playing and will pair up those racing the same types of race cars. At the end of the race, the service tabulates the scores and then determines the winner.
“Drag racing on wireless is ideal for players that want the quick game and three-minute race as well as the opportunity to climb a notch on the leader board,” said Douglas Frederick, president of Vir2L Studios, one of the game’s developers. “With the launch of live multiplayer racing over inter-carrier networks, the competition and challenges for our players becomes even more engaging and entertaining.”
Industry leaders have cited multiplayer gaming as a potentially major source of entertainment revenue, and the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association has said it will work to develop the market. Several companies, including Nokia Corp. with its N-Gage device, Jamdat Mobile Inc. with its Fudomyo fighting game and Mobliss with its Jumble game, have been active in the area.
