Cingular’s got game

LAS VEGAS--Cingular Wireless announced at CTIA Wireless I.T. and Entertainment that it is expanding its mobile gaming services with a series of new publisher partnerships, game titles and Java-enabled handsets.

The company said 20 game-enabled phones now can give users access to hundreds of games, as well as options for users to personalize entertainment menus.

"As the wireless market continues to grow and migration to next-generation networks occurs, mobile content strategies—particularly entertainment services like wireless gaming —present significant opportunities for service providers to realize new channels for revenue and service," stated Marc Lefar, chief marketing officer at Cingular Wireless.

Cingular has formed partnerships with leading gaming content developers and publishers including Digital Bridges, JAMDAT Mobile, Mforma, Moviso (acquired this week by InfoSpace), THQ Wireless and Tira Wireless to provide games from a variety of genres.

Cingular’s newest applications include its introduction of multiplayer games, such as IHRA Drag Racing by Mforma and an exclusive multiplayer game, NCAA Football Challenge 2004. Now players will be able to experience the excitement of solo drag racing, or simulate head-to-head competition by going online to be matched against other Cingular Wireless users. Other new single-player games include Fox Sports Basketball from Fox Interactive Television and Price of Persia from Gameloft.

Games range in price from $.99 to $5.99 for a one-time download fee. Airtime or kilobyte charges apply during the selection and download process, which requires Cingular’s Wireless Internet service and a downloadable game-capable phone. Once downloaded, games that do not require a wireless connection can be accessed anytime, and anywhere without incurring additional charges. For multiplayer gaming such as NCAA Football Challenge 2004, users pay for kilobytes used during online play.

Users can choose from a selection of enabled handsets that allow game downloading, including the recently released Samsung X427 and LG 4050.

Cingular claims to have more handsets capable of downloading games than any other national wireless service provider. These devices include the Motorola T720, Nokia 3300, 3560, 3590, 3595, 3600, 3650, 6100, 6200, 6800, Sony-Ericsson T306, T316, T616, T226, Siemens CT56, S56, SL56, and Samsung S307, X427, LG 4050.