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Wireless Game Plans Unveiled

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 4/29/2002

NEW YORK — Wireless phone subscribers will soon have a greater variety of games to play on their wireless phones.

As part of its mMode launch, AT&T Wireless has begun offering downloadable games for the first time. Handset maker Sendo announced that third-party game developers will support the launch later this year of its Z100 Smartphone, and Sega has launched a division that will develop games for mobile devices such as wireless phones and PDAs.

In offering details that it hadn't previously disclosed about its enhanced mMode data service (TWICE, April 15, p. 42), AT&T Wireless said it is offering downloadable games for the first time. The games are in color for viewing on the $199 Sony Ericsson T68 color screen phone, a GSM/GPRS model with optional add-on digital camera and add-on MP3 player. Games include Jumble and Star Trek.

Other mMode features include wireless access to AOL e-mail and instant messaging and to an AT&T e-mail account. Soon, AT&T said it will deliver access to POP3-enabled enterprise or ISP e-mail accounts.

AT&T also ported existing PocketNet data services to mMode but added such new services as a TV Guide service and downloadable color satellite weather maps. The TV Guide service lets travelers punch in a zip code to find TV schedules for areas they're traveling in.

Later in 2002, AT&T will offer EMS, MMS, and the digital-camera add-on for taking pictures and e-mailing them wirelessly.

AT&T data services were available previously only in select handsets in CDPD-equipped markets, not in its GSM and TDMA circuit-switched markets.

For its part, Sendo said its GSM/GPRS smartphone features a color screen and enough processing power to make it a useful as a game and multimedia platform. When Cingular begins offering the phone sometime this summer, Sendo expects third-party developers to offer games, including Versaly's The Untouchables Pin Ball, Incagold's pinball game Slamtilt, Ideaworks3D's Rebound, Terra Mobile's Midway Defender, and games from Mobile Scope.

Other companies planning games for Sendo's device include Hexacto, whose offerings will include a multiplayer casino game. Pixel Technologies will offer MobilePlay, a pack of online multiplayer games that include chess, poker and backgammon.

Game developer Sega, through the new Sega Mobile division of its Sega.com on-line game subsidiary, will tap its library of game titles to develop versions for mobile devices such as wireless phones. The library includes Pengo, Flicky, Puyo Puyo, and Monaco GP. The company will also offer new puzzle, sports and entertainment titles.

San Francisco-based Sega Mobile is targeting the North American market and will take advantage of Sega's experience with wireless gaming in Japan.

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