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Future looks bright for mobile games
Wednesday, May 02 2001
by Matthew Clark


Strategy Analytics, the technology consultancy, projects that mobile gaming users
will reach 100 million by 2006 and games themselves will improve dramatically.

In addition, mobile gaming experience will improve over the next 2-3 years, as
2.5G networks are deployed and Java enabled devices proliferate. The company
forecast the wireless gaming market to be worth USD5 billion by 2006, with packet
networks, dynamic billing, and rich media enabled devices as key aspects. 



These findings are presented in a new report "Critical Challenges for the
Mobile Gaming Market" published recently by the Strategy Analytics Wireless
Internet Applications Service.



The company asks, "Wireless gaming clearly has great potential in terms of user
uptake, but the key question remains: who will pay for the wireless gaming
experience?"



Currently wireless devices are not designed for absorbing gaming experiences;
and networks are slow and expensive for users.



It is expected that as mobile games become more sophisticated the cost of
development will originate from handset manufacturers, service providers, or
third party application developers. 



"Gaming is a bipolar activity. People either play games very frequently, (i.e.
more than once a day), or very infrequently (i.e. less than once a week.)," says
Nitesh Patel, an analyst with Strategy Analytics wireless Internet applications
strategic advisory service.



Patel claims the youth market (16-24 year olds), as the ideal consumer group for
operators and wireless portals. 



The company expects wireless gaming to become far more advanced in the next few
years which "will give way to more visual and satisfying action." The greater
quality in gaming will occur as new software, protocols and mobile devices are
introduced. 



Recently, Ericsson announced a joint venture with Sony to develop mobile
handsets. It is believed that part of the purpose of the joint operation is to
utilise Sony's capability as a game developer in conjunction with Ericsson's
skill as a handset manufacturer. 



Strategy Analytics, Inc. provides information and insights to help competitors
develop strategies in consumer electronics and media, wireless communications,
e-commerce, automotive electronics, and enabling technology business.