SAN JOSE, Calif.-Wireless is a major theme at this year’s Game Developers’ Conference, with Motorola Inc., Qualcomm Inc., Mobliss and Microsoft Corp. among those making announcements at the show. The surplus of news from wireless players further shows the growing market for wireless games.
- Motorola showed off new 3D and multiplayer gaming technologies on its newest handsets. The company said its new E680 handset features 3D gaming technology from Superscape, and its V300, V500, V600 and E680 handsets will run real-time networked gaming technology from Terraplay Systems.
- Qualcomm’s BREW content partners announced several new games, and Qualcomm itself announced it will use 3D technology from ATI Technologies Inc. in its line of CDMA chipsets. Upstart Games said it will sell “Frogger” for Qualcomm’s BREW service, and Capcom and Com2uS also announced plans for BREW games.
- Nokia said it will offer its SNAP multiplayer gaming technology for Java developers through a new teaming with Java pioneer Sun Microsystems Inc. Nokia uses the SNAP technology for its N-Gage mobile phone/video game device.
- Mobliss announced three new games for Java and BREW platforms, including “Mobile Darts” for Sprint, Metaplay’s “Buddy Bass Fishing & Poppin’ Pinball,” and a wireless version of the Los Angeles Times Crossword Puzzle.
- Wireless gaming heavyweight Jamdat Mobile Inc. announced a major deal with Microsoft to develop several Xbox games for the wireless market. Jamdat said it will develop wireless versions of “Top Spin,” “RalliSport Challenge 2” and “Amped 2” for wireless platforms, including Microsoft’s Smartphone operating system.
- Atlas Mobile announced a deal with First Star Software Inc. to co-publish “Boulder Dash-Tournaments for Prizes” for BREW and Java phones.
- Finally, Microsoft unveiled its new XNA software development platform. The company said developers can use the software platform to create video games for all of its platforms, including Windows, Xbox and its Windows Mobile wireless devices.
