Mobile_Gaming_Explained

							Title:
Mobile Gaming Explained

Word Count:
652

Summary:
If you're not familiar with mobile games, you will be soon because this
is the next big area of growth expected in the billion dollar gaming
market. A mobile game is a computer software game played on a mobile
phone. Mobile games are usually downloaded via the mobile operator's
network. This article will introduce you to some of the technologies
behind the mobile gaming market so you can better understand what's going
on and why this industry is poised for explosive growth.


Keywords:
gaming, videogames, mobile gaming, mobile, games, how-to


Article Body:
If you're not familiar with mobile games, you will be soon because this
is the next big area of growth expected in the billion dollar gaming
market. A mobile game is a computer software game played on a mobile
phone. Mobile games are usually downloaded via the mobile operator's
network, but in some cases games are also loaded into the mobile handsets
when purchased, or via infrared connection, Bluetooth or memory card.
Mobile games are developed using technologies such as DoCoMo's DoJa,
Sun's J2ME, Qualcomm's BREW (Binary Runtime for Wireless) or Infusio's
ExEn (Execution Environment). Other platforms are also available, but not
as common.

The different platforms

BREW is the more powerful technology, giving, as it does, complete
control of the handset and complete access to its functionality. However
this unchecked power could be dangerous, and for this reason BREW
development process is tailored mainly towards recognised software
vendors. While the BREW SDK (Software Development Kit) is freely
available, running software on real mobile hardware (as opposed to the
provided emulator) requires a digital signature which can only be
generated with tools issued by a handful of parties, namely mobile
content providers and Qualcomm themselves. Even then, the game will only
work on test enabled devices. To be downloadable on regular phones the
software must be checked, tested and given approval by Qualcomm via their
TRUE BREW Testing programme.

Java (aka "J2ME" / "Java ME" / "Java 2 Micro Edition") runs atop a
Virtual Machine (called the KVM) which allows reasonable, but not
complete, access to the functionality of the underlying phone. This extra
layer of software provides a solid barrier of protection which seeks to
limit damage from erroneous or malicious software. It also allows Java
software to move freely between different types of phone (and other
mobile device) containing radically different electronic components,
without modification. The price that is paid is a modest decrease in the
potential speed of the game and the inability to utilise the entire
functionality of a phone (as Java software can only do what this middle-
man layer supports.)

Because of this extra security and compatibility, it is usually a quite
simple process to write and distribute Java mobile applications,
including games, to a wide range of phones. Usually all that is needed is
a freely available Java Development Kit for creating Java software
itself, the accompanying Java ME tools (known as the Java Wireless
Toolkit) for packaging and testing mobile software, and space on a web
server (web site) to host the resulting application once it is ready for
public release.

Current limitations of mobile games

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
sold through network carriers and operators portals, meaning there are
only a few lines of text and perhaps a screenshot of the game to entice
the customer. There is a reliance on powerful brands and licences such as
Tomb Raider or Colin McRae, a racing game. There is also the use of well-
known and established play patterns, meaning game play mechanics that are
instantly recognizable in games like Tetris, Space Invaders or Poker.
Both these strategies are used to entice mobile gamers to purchase games
for a fee when a limited amount of additonal information is provided by
the wireless carrier, who typically acts as a third party hosting the
game.

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
players find the ability to play against other people, a natural
extension of their mobile phone’s connectivity.