Mobile Games, August 2008

Gameloft confirmed this month their desire to become more diversified with SFR presenting their mobile services strategy in conjunction with Gameloft who will release their first games designed for the Windows Mobile platform.

2008 has seen an opening up at the producer: presence on the Nokia N-Gage platform, the launch of the iPhone and now the Samsung Player Addict, with a catalogue of twenty or so games planned for the end of the year.

We are far from the Java games of a few hundred kilobytes as the games now present on smartphones are between 35 and 100 MB, all with the possibilities added by these more powerful platforms like new interaction methods like the accelerometers.

For the first semester in 2008, Gameloft had a turnover of 71 millions dollars (64.7 million dollars last year), represented by 94% from mobile game sales and 6% by console games, a market that the producer has only started to get into.

The net result is slightly negative, mainly due to the high exchange rate of the Euro, but the company has the advantage of not being in debt and has money in reserve. It therefore maintains its growth objectives for 2008.

For the mobile games, Gameloft continues to release new games at a fast rate. Among the games this month, we can see the mobile adaptation of The Mummy: The tomb of the Dragon Emperor, release in cinemas on the 6th of August, where you will find an intriguing and condensed version of 9 levels in the heart of China.

The main scenes in the film are present in this platform adventure game where you will have to direct the hero’s and choose the correct weapons for the threats that are facing you: rifle or grenades. 5 enemy types will show themselves along the way with, of course, mummies.

 2 mini-games complete the adventure, with one calling on logics and the other on your memory, all with a pick up that is made easy by directions on the screen. You will find graphics that are well designed in the Mummy in this license adaptation by Gameloft.

Gameloft has finally released the much anticipated Asphalt 4 Elite Racing which we spoke about in the June summery, revisiting the series underground racing theme. Two versions are planned, normal and HD, with the second one benefiting from textures and additional effects, but which requires a powerful handset to be able to view it.

10 vehicles (cars and motorbikes) are available in a series of diversified races (finish first, chase someone else, destruction, etc) in prestigious locations: Monte-Carlo, Beverly Hills, Shanghai, New York, Dubai and Paris.

Asphalt 4 Elite Racing HD

Each race allows you to win money and unblock extra tracks, vehicles or tuning accessories. The weather conditions are also variable, and we note that Asphalt 4 Elite Racing is also offered for the iPhone, Nokia N-Gage and, more recently, the Samsung Player Addict under Windows Mobile with commands managed by the accelerometer and tactile screen.

Calmer, Dogz 2 has been released allowing you to, like in the first version, look after your virtual puppies. You will have to take care of them, wash them, play with them etc. 9 different fur balls from three different races are available.

You get a 3D isometric with which you can follow them around, from the park to the beach, passing via the house, as well as other 3D views of the animals when you look after them. It is possible to teach them and even meet other dog owners.

And so that they pick up good habits, a reward and punishment system is in place with which you can educate them. Everything is here!

Finally, Gameloft has created a mobile game adaptation of the film Death Race which comes out in cinemas on the 15th of October. As always, the game takes in the key moments of the film in a crazy pursuit race where anything goes between these transformed vehicles.

Death Race mixes racing and fighting, with six bonuses which work their way up to guided missiles. The vehicles, characters and weapons are all present in the film, with 7 engines on offer from the lighter and not as well armed to the heavier with some impressive firepower.

5 game modes are on offer over the length of the game, as well as a Quick race mode which can be unblocked. Apocalyptic surroundings and savage races aw