Kotaku: Cellphone

Cellphone Gaming Down, Probably Not Out

Mark Wilson — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:40:16 MST

We all know cellphone games are near worthless, but apparently the mass market is starting to agree. Because a recent M:Metrics (research company) report shows that the number of cellphone subscribers playing games has peaked, plateauing at 5.7 million subscribers in December 2006 and dropping to 5.4 million by last June.

Whether or not the Google Phone will be good for gaming, I'm all for the industry's numbers dropping to -100 million bajillion until the entire medium improves. You know, like until Nintendo duct tapes a phone to the DS or something.

Games Once Again Slammed As Past Their Peak, But What Innovation Will Save The Industry? [via vh1]

Cellphone ZeeMote Is A Wii Like Nunchuk

Mark Wilson — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:40:50 MDT

What is the number one problem with cellphone gaming? If you answered "the cellphone," you'd be wrong. If you answered "the cellphone's keyboard," you just might want to plan a purchase today. The ZeeMote is essentially a Bluetooth joystick, a nunchuk-like peripheral for your mobile devices. We're highly interested in both the ZeeMote more peripherals for cellphone gaming. And as soon as those peripherals include completely integrated PSP and DS controls, screens and libraries, we'll be happy little cellphone gamers. The ZeeMote is currently priceless and due out next year.

Product Page [via pocketgamer]

Docomo Cellphone Exercise Game, Dominated

Mark Wilson — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:00:26 MDT

Our own Luke Plunkett got some hands-on with Docomo's cellphone exercise game (following his bowling excursion from earlier that day). And I'll tell you, when the respect and admiration of cute Japanese booth attendants is on the line, Luke brings it.

I-Play Boss Predicts Mobile Domination

Mike Fahey — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 09:20:43 MST

I'm just going to hit you with the quote here right off the bat.

I-play CEO David Gosen has predicted that the console gaming industry will be left with a "niche audience" to target as mobile gaming becomes ever more popular.

Mobile gaming. Playing games on your cell phone or PDA. Could they possibly make the leap from something to do while you're on the toilet at work to mainstream gaming use? According to David Gosen, speaking from Casual Connect conference in Amsterdam it is a certainty. I'm not so sure that he has these stats right. He says that mobile has five times the install base of consoles right now...but doesn't that just mean that there are that many cell phones out there? He also predicts that mobile game sales are going to surpass console sales within 2 years. Is mobile phone gaming really this prevalent, and I'm just missing it? Is he counting games that come preinstalled on phones as sales? Is he talking units sold or monetarily?

This really blows my mind. I've only ever downloaded on cell phone game in my life, and that one pretty much sucked completely. It all sounds like wishful thinking from a guy who makes a living selling casual mobile games, perhaps enhanced by the local Amsterdam foliage. Your thoughts? Michael Fahey

Mobile gaming will overtake consoles, says Gosen [GamesIndustry.biz]

Hello Kitty Invaders

Mike Fahey — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 12:40:38 MST

In the seedy world of cellphone straps, normal physical and licensing laws do not apply, paving the way for some of the most glorious creations man has ever witnessed. Case in point, the Hello Kitty Space Invaders cellphone strap. This rendition of a pixellated Hello Kitty riding atop a Space Invaders spaceship can be yours from StrapYa for the low low price of $5.70. A small price to pay for neatly summing up your disturbing fondness for pink cuteness and love of retro gaming in one compact package. If I were inclined at all to fits of flinging my cellphone wildly about, this would be what I used to protect myself and the innocents around me. Michael Fahey

Sanrio Hello Kitty x TAITO Space Invader Double Charms' Phone Strap [StrapYa Product Page - Thanks Chilly!]

E306: Gameloft's The OC Mobile Game

kotaku.com — Thu, 11 May 2006 14:25:11 MDT

It's more than a little embarassing to admit this, because we're not twelve and we don't watch The OC, but we sort of kind of liked playing Gameloft's demo of their OC mobile game at their booth this morning. You can play as one of the four main characters or as a new character you create, and your goal is to make yourself the most popular teenager in Newport Beach. We played for a few minutes as Ryan, in his room and in the Cohen's Kitchen, and were amused to discover that choosing to read a comic book improves your attitude but reduces your coolness. So really The OC game is just like real life high school—except of course that unlike our pixelized hero, most of you reading this never had the nerve to talk to girls back then, let alone make out with any.