Ericsson: Game developers welcome new handsets

GDC is the biggest game tradeshow worldwide and attracts over 10 000 professional developers each year. They come to learn about the latest tools, techniques and platforms driving top games for computer, console, mobile, arcade and online games. Mobile games are a proven revenue generator and the most compelling consumer content. Therefore, it is important for Sony Ericsson to encourage developers to create games for its phones.

GDC is the forum where programmers, artists, producers, game designers, audio professionals and others involved in the development of interactive games gather to exchange ideas, network, and shape the future of the industry. Nearly 85% of attendees actively evaluate tools and development platforms for use in a potential game. Due to overwhelming response from game developers, emphasis was put on wireless development with an additional two-day GDC Mobile conference.

With its announcements of new phones, Sony Ericsson was able to present developers with technologies and handsets covering all consumer segments, It offered developers the possibility to develop for their platform of choice, whether it is Mophun (T300, T310 and T610), Symbian OS (P800), Java (for example P800, T610, T608) or Brew (T606).

So what are the main arguments for all these platforms?
Mophun� is an optimized mobile games engine, providing a true gaming experience for the masses.
Symbian OS� is the open platform backed by the world�s leading handset manufacturers for the high-end segment.
Java is the trusted standard for downloadable, networked and embedded applications, where J2ME is the platform edition used for mobile phones.
BREW� offers the opportunity to profit in the global CDMA market.

Many game developers said they are evaluating different platforms for entering the wireless gaming market, and were very enthusiastic about the Sony Ericsson P800 and T610. What excited American game developers about the P800 was its large screen, its landscape mode functionality, the quality of colors and sound, gaming speed and 3D graphics, its Bluetooth support, and the expandable memory capabilities thanks to the Sony Memory Stick Duo�. They were impressed by this device, which is known as the most powerful Symbian OS device available on the market. The addition of Java and Brew to Sony Ericsson�s product line-up for CDMA was also well received.

Developers were invited to attend interesting 15-minute seminars on Sony Ericsson's entertainment vision, the Mophun games engine, and the P800.

"Many visitors asked how Sony Ericsson can help them get their applications to market," says Mikael Nerde of the Sony Ericsson Developer Program. "We were happy to announce that we have opened an on-line application shop together with Handango, through which all applications developed for our flagship, the P800, can be sold and delivered."

The new on-line applications shop has already received application download traffic beyond expectations. In the future, this shop will also contain applications for other Sony Ericsson products, such as the Mophun-enabled phones.

"In addition, we will soon start shipping value-added software applications from some close application developers on CDs with the P800. Thanks to our collaboration with Ericsson Mobility World, we can also offer matchmaking between developers and carriers/service providers. Overall, these go-to-market opportunities present a strong case when working with third party application and content developers," says Nerde.

This year, Sony Ericsson exhibited together with Metrowerks. Other exhibitors included ATI Technologies, Criterion Software Ltd, Havok, Microsoft Xbox, Motorola, Nintendo of America, Nokia, Sega, Sony Computer Entertainment, Sony Online Entertainment, THQ and Vicarious Visions.

Download GDC mini presentations (pdf):

Text and photos: Mimmis Olsson
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The on-line applications shop is available at: www.SonyEricsson.com/handango. All applications developed for the P800 using C++, Personal Java, Java MIDP or Visual Basic for AppForge can be sold and delivered through this on-line shop.