Mobile Gaming Categories

    I have another client who is a mobile phone technology/strategy consultant who does not know much about console/PC gaming and even less about the mobile phone gaming business. One of his clients needs a crash course in the state of mobile gaming and has turned to me for some help. After doing a ton of research, I would love validate some findings by hearing first hand from you.

    Speficially, I would love input on categorizing mobile phone games from a technical point of view, meaning dividing up the kinds of games that are out there (and that are coming down the pipe) based on technical development process, user experience, MP type, Bluetooth vs. airtime MP, turn based vs realtime MP, 2.5G vs 3G requirements, simpe SMS games, GPS-location based games... etc etc

    In other words, how would you classify, categorize and distinguish types of mobile phone games? Feel free to give example of actual games you know of or have played. I already am aware of the genres lilke sports, puzzle, cards, action, racing etc...

    Thanks for you input!

    I am kinda hooked on "Quadropop", it's one of those fun puzzle games somewhat similar to Tetris.

    And then there are the crappy 3D games that are either unplayably slow/sluggish or are impossible to control with the number keys or tiny joystick.

    Snake and Snake 2 are still the best ones out there

    That's it for my experiences with mobile games :\

    Quote from Minotauro

    I just can't play any complex mobile game for more than 5 minutes... the keys are too tiny so I get frustated very quickly.

    agreed, cell phone games are too much like NES, this is the problem, they need to invent something original, not a re-hash of every other classic game.

    I think the most important thing about mobile games is that they are quick to play, and that you don't have to really sit down to focus on playing.

    Snake and Bounce (Nokia) are probably the only games I've played, simple keys, entertaining games and not hard to learn at all.

    I think the only popular mobile games are simpile ones, too advanced at it would atleast not be sold.

    Sounds like not to many people here have tech knowledge of mobile phone game production. And why would we? :)

    So a different question, anyone play any other kinds of mobile games? Such as:

    - SMS based quiz games

    - Lotto games (like on T-Mobile in UK)

    - Location based (GPS) real world games

    - cellphone photo scavenger hunts? :roll:

    - etc...

    Just curious. Thx

    I have a Nokia 3210, mobile gaming potential from my mobile phone is somewhat limited. But it has been in my experience that it’s either snakes or pointless. There were people at college with stupidly advanced phones that double up as music players, video recorders and tumble dryers while being no bigger than a postage stamp, and they would spend 5 minutes linking up their amazing super games to play in the hall, then just play snakes and never do it again because it’s too much hassle. So my categories are Snakes and Not Snakes.

    A more intelligent categorisation might be Turn Based games and Real Time games since being mobile sometimes restricts what games you can and can’t play at that time. Unfortunately I’ve had no first hand experience with Bluetooth’s Stalking Technology so I don’t know the extent of which they go.

    I’m fine with my 3210, of course. I have a PSP and after much hassle I just imported, supposedly limited edition, of Disgaea PSP in all its Japanese glory. I welcome trees falling down in the road and delaying my journey in the mornings, as long as they don’t get any ideas and start falling on the bus.

    the button problem cannot be stressed enough, you can't have a fast paced game on a phone that has buttons that are 1/4 inch large and don't have contours, you are bound to screw up eventually. i do it constantly while playing tetris. instead of spinning the block i hit the up button and it flied to the bottom sending me into a fit of rage. i made a new record of 143 lines today though at 120 lines it gets super fast and i can't keep up because of the tiny buttons

    snakes is fun, but tetris > snakes

    my parents <3 bejewled too, i find it entertaining, but it gets boring very quick.

    Check out John Carmack's blog if you haven't already. He's been writing some fairly indepth & interesting things about mobile phones and game development. Not sure if it's the angle you're looking for, but it's worth a look as he talks about what is hard/easy to do with mobile phones and whether it's purely down to hardware or handset constraints.

    http://www.armadilloaerospace.com/n.x/johnc/

    Quote from Thrik

    Put a quality version of Worms on a mobile phone and you have a best seller. Call it Thrikz.

    I played it on ppc. Was great to play on the train with a friend.

    I've around 100 games on my mobile so i think i can help with that. Looking at the rankings of Portuguese Vodafone, the most played (donwloaded) games are the ones based on famous movie/games franchises. Usually one or two weeks after the game or movie its released you can get the mobile game, so its a nice way to get an ideia fo the plot.

    About those you mentioned i don't really like them, and i don't know of anyone else who does. Some of them require you to spend money each time you play, big part are just boring, and when people play a cell phone game they usually just want to spend some time, so they get the best game to achieve that (at least in my case).

    You got some good point barrakid. If someone plays on his mobile it is because he has to wait , to keep him bussy. I dont think people enjoy to always spend money to enjoy thereselves.

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