Mobile Casino Games

Mobile game

2008-12-01T06:46:00.001-08:00

A mobile game is a video game played on a mobile phone, smartphone, PDA or handheld computer. This does not include games played on handheld video game systems such as PlayStation Portable or Nintendo DS.

The first game that was pre-installed onto a mobile phone was Snake on selected Nokia models in 1997. Snake and its variants have since become the most-played videogame on the planet, with over a billion people having played the game.Mobile games are played using the technologies present on the device itself. For networked games, there are various technologies in common use. Examples include text message (SMS), multimedia message (MMS) or GPRS location identification.However, there are non networked applications, that simply use the device platform to run the game software. The games may be installed over the air, they may be side loaded onto the handset with a cable, or they may be embedded on the handheld devices by the OEM or by the mobile operator.Mobile games are usually downloaded via the mobile operator's radio network, but in some cases are also loaded into the mobile handsets when purchased, or via infrared connection, Bluetooth or memory card.

Mobile gambling

2008-12-01T06:45:00.000-08:00

Mobile gambling refers to gambling done on a remote wirelessly connected device. These devices can include wireless tablet PC's, mobile phones and other non traditional mid-level networked computing devices. Some online casinos and online poker cardrooms offer mobile options.

Most mobile gambling services require a data connection to operate. The data connection is provided by the telecom provider for the region or country and may use data layer technologies such as GPRS, GSM Data, UMTS, and I-MODE. However, some services are available through an SMS text messaging interface.

While still relatively underdeveloped, analysts place the value of the market space at US$20 billion by 2010. Juniper, Gartner and Seymour Pierce all project rapid growth in the sector through to 2010.

The market is still at a nascent stage at the moment, as mobile operators and brands/ media owners are currently not in a position to create this market due to the potential reputational risk. This is mainly because of the uncertain nature of most countries' in-decision towards regulation of remote gambling and online gambling.

Some companies however have begun developing and testing mobile platforms to position themselves early in the anticipated growth of the market.

The remote gaming market has been growing at a rate of 35% over the past 4 years and was estimated to be worth over $7 billion in 2004, the vast majority of which was internet-based. The mobile section of the gaming market only accounted for $5 million in 2004. However, industry analysts such as CCA, Juniper Research and Screen Digest estimate this grew to $1 billion in 2006.

Projected Market Value Stats:

Asia-Pacific region is expected to contribute the largest share of total gross revenues with 39% of the market
Europe follows closely behind with a 37% market share, with the US making up the majority of the remainder
Telecoms analysts Juniper Research reveals that mobile lotteries will be the largest money-spinners, with gross revenues of nearly US$7.9bn worldwide by 2009, followed by sports betting (US$6.9bn) and casino-style gaming (US$4.5bn).

Mobile Casion games

2008-12-01T06:43:00.000-08:00

Mobile games tend to be small in scope and often rely on good gameplay over flashy graphics, due to the lack of processing power of the client devices. One major problem for developers and publishers of mobile games is describing a game in such detail that it gives the customer enough information to make a purchasing decision. Currently, Mobile Games are mainly sold through Network Carriers / Operators portals and this means there are only a few lines of text and perhaps a screenshot of the game to excite the customer. Two strategies are followed by developers and publishers to combat this lack of purchasing information, firstly there is a reliance on powerful brands and licences that impart a suggestion of quality to the game such as Tomb Raider or Colin McRae and secondly there is the use of well known and established play patterns (game play mechanics that are instantly recognisable) such as Tetris, Space Invaders or Poker. Both these strategies are used to decrease the perceived level of risk that the customer feels when choosing a game to download from the carrier’s deck.

Recent innovations in mobile games include Singleplayer, Multiplayer and 3D graphics. Virtual love games belong to both of singleplayer and multiplayer games. Multiplayer games are quickly finding an audience, as developers take advantage of the ability to play against other people, a natural extension of the mobile phone’s connectivity. With the recent internet gambling boom various companies are taking advantage of the mobile market to attract customers, Ongame the founders of PokerRoom developed in 2005 a working mobile version of its poker software available in both play money and real money. The player can play the game in a singleplayer or multiplayer mode for real or play money. As well, the MMORPG boom seems to hit the world of mobile games. According to their website CipSoft has developed the first MMORPG for mobile phones, called TibiaME. SmartCell Technology, a mobile applications developer, is in development of the first cross-platform MMORPG called Shadow of Legend. Shadow of Legend will have the ability to play on both a PC and a mobile device.