Archive for the ‘Companies & M&A’ Category

July Systems Deploys First-of-Kind Games Sampler Service on AT&T Wireless mMode

October 31st, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

July Systems, an innovative technology solutions provider of turnkey managed mobile content retailing services, announces that it has launched a first-of-its-kind ‘Games Sampler’ service on AT&T Wireless mMode on October 25, 2004. The Games Sampler service, managed end-to-end by July Systems, offers a completely new retailing model for mobile games on mMode, and a new consumer experience for mMode subscribers. The service will for the first time allow subscribers to download and preview a catalogue of mobile games from the mMode portal before deciding to buy further plays. It will also offer flexible pricing options including pay-per-play, rentals, and unlimited use for subscribers who wish to continue playing a game. More …

EB Games and WideRay deliver wireless game retail distribution platform

October 27th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A, Trends | No Comments »

Electronics Boutique and WideRay announced that the companies have partnered to deliver mobile games to consumers inside select EB Games retail stores beginning in December 2004.

EB Games will make its Wireless Game Portals — in-store zones where customers can download games — available in 100 retail stores across the US beginning in December, marking the industry’s first wireless distribution platform implemented in a physical retail setting. Mobile phone users can access the Wireless Game Portals by simply going into a participating EB Games store and using a compatible device to view a listing of popular game titles available for purchase. Users also have the ability to receive game-related video as well as reviews and previews of PC and Console games. All this without any pre-installed software. More …

Nokia Launches Mobile Content Platform

October 26th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

Nokia has launched Preminet, which offers mobile carriers a platform to distribute content and applications to their subscribers. Operators can select from a catalog of certified content to pass along to their customers. More …

SkyZone Entertainment Announces Acquisition of JSmart Technologies

October 20th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | 1 Comment »

Acquisition Will Increase SkyZone’s Mobile Entertainment Market Position

SkyZone Entertainment, a wireless media leader that delivers fun and exciting “Made for Mobile”(TM) entertainment, today announced an agreement to acquire JSmart Technologies.

JSmart, a leader in casual gaming, is a publisher and developer of games and entertainment applications for mobile phones and handheld devices for the BlackBerry, BREW(R), JAVA, PALM OS(R), and Pocket PC operating systems. JSmart’s entertainment portfolio comprises of over 50 titles including popular games like Merriam-Webster Word Search, Merriam-Webster Spanish-English Dictionary, Betty Boop Crush, Crazy Eights, Concentration, Hangman Tournament and Felix the Cat Puzzles. More …

Game On. Virgin Mobile Serves Up Brand New, Youth-Relevant Suite of Downloadable Games to Its Customers

October 19th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | 1 Comment »

If idle hands are the devil’s workshop, then Virgin Mobile USA is making sure its customers have plenty to keep theirs busy. The nation’s top wireless provider to the youth market today announced the launch of a new suite of downloadable mobile gaming content.

For its gaming debut, Virgin Mobile’s platform will feature more than 20 downloadable games, ranging from sports, racing, puzzles, shooters, action, casino games and “old school,” arcade-style offerings.
“Our debut set of games has Virgin Mobile customers covered, whether they’re serious gamers or just looking to casually pass some time,” said Howard Handler, chief marketing officer of Virgin Mobile USA. “And, we will continue to add relevant titles to our catalog and take the overall gaming experience to the next level for our customers.” More …

MFORMA Makes Strategic Investment in Magus-Soft, China’s Leading Mobile Games Developer

October 11th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

MFORMA Group Inc., a leading global publisher and distributor of wireless entertainment content, has made a strategic investment in Magus-Soft, the leading mobile games developer in China. The investment establishes for MFORMA an operating presence in China, allowing it to distribute Java and Brew applications, as well as SMS, WAP, and other interactive mobile applications, throughout China. MFORMA has been working in China for more than a year and formed MFORMA China last June.

Magus-Soft has developed more than 80 mobile games and entertainment applications for the Chinese marketplace for both Java and BREW wireless platforms. Magus-Soft is the number one China-based developer and publisher of mobile entertainment applications and has developed successful applications for multiple genres, including sports, RPG, adventure, arcade, and casino, as well as premium branded titles such as Team China Soccer, and Super League Football. The partnership between MFORMA and Magus-Soft is of key strategic benefit to both parties. MFORMA instantly strengthens its position in the Chinese marketplace and Magus-Soft benefits from MFORMA’s global distribution network and worldwide publishing capabilities. More …

Airborne Entertainment Acquires Publishing Division of Tira Wireless

October 8th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

Company Adds Key Brands, Mobile Games and Applications To Its Growing Roster

Leading mobile publisher Airborne Entertainment announced today it has acquired the rights of the mobile publishing division of Tira Wireless. The acquisition represents a step toward Airborne’s objective of expanding its strength and solidifying its leadership position within the mobile entertainment industry.

Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Tira Wireless launched its publishing division in September, 2001, providing wireless applications across a broad range of handsets for the mobile Java marketplace. The publishing division’s impressive line-up of partners includes some of the world’s most recognizable brands such as Cosmopolitan, Cosmo Girl! and TVGuide(R).

The acquisition of Tira Studios is a natural fit for Airborne, a leader in branded mobile content with partners including MAXIM, the NHL, 20th Century Fox, Wine Spectator, The Food Network, A&E, HBO and Activision Value, amongst others. More …

Bonbons for Cell Phones

September 30th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A, People | No Comments »

Trip Hawkins made his mark with computer games. Now he’s trying to pitch mobile entertainment.
Hawkins aims for a third act

Overloaded all over the TV in Cannes

September 30th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

Overloaded the leading mobile games developer and distributor announced today that they will be taking part in the annual MIPTV show in Cannes on October 4th until October 8th 2004. Their stand number will be H4.32.

Ashu Mathura (Managing Director of Overloaded) said “Overloaded is already a leading developer and publisher for TV related video games for mobile phones. Together with Endemol International we have developed games around brands like BigBrother, FearFactor, Deal or no Deal and others. Together with Dupuis we are developing a series of games around the cartoon and TV character Largo Winch. Being present at MIP is a clear signal of our commitment to the industry and that we want to stay a leader in TV related video games for mobile phones!”. More …

Jamdat shares up 45 percent in first day of trade

September 30th, 2004 by Arjan Olsder Posted in Companies & M&A | No Comments »

Shares of wireless game maker Jamdat Mobile Inc. (JMDT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) rose as much as 45 percent on Wednesday in their first trading day, boosted by investors betting on the emerging sector of mobile video games.

Jamdat shares were up $6.56 at $22.56 in afternoon trading on Nasdaq after 5.55 million shares were priced at $16 in the company’s initial public offering.

Video gaming analyst Colin Sebastian of Schwab Soundview Capital Markets said investors were attracted by a growing market in which few publicly traded companies compete so far. More …