ScottishGames.biz

Apple Making Millions

Apple's late entry into the games market doesn't seem to have hurt the company in any way.  Two stories out today shows that the company is making significant inroads into the market. 

Telecom TV reports that Apple has already sold 13,000,000 iPhones.

Macworld on the other hand reports that the recently launched AppStore, which has not been available for slightly more than 100 days, is approaching 200,000,000 downloads.

That's loads!

No figures on the percentage or popularity of games within the service as yet, though there are apparently 5,500 Apps for users to download...
[Awesome image source]

iPhone, uPhone, weallPhone Games

Casualgaming.biz has spoken to a number of studios in the UK which are pioneering iPhone development.  Two Scottish companies - Tag and Cobra feature in the article, looking at some of the issues facing developers who are creating and publishing titles for the new device...

“The most important point to remember is that the iPhone is a phone, not a DS or a PSP, therefore the game should be designed around the expected behaviour of a mobile gamer and the environment they are likely to be playing the game in. Secondly, if you are developing a game from scratch you really must work with the motion and touch control systems and build your game around this functionality. Lastly, analyse consumer behaviour and feedback on the App Store to ensure you get your product and price point right from launch." - Paul Farley, Tag Games.

If you're interested in this particular new area, it's worth hearing from the people already exploring this braze new world. 

We know there are some iPhone owners among you, so come on, readers.  What iPhone games have you played recently that Rock('n'Roll)?

Mobile gambling company looking for developers

Glasgow-based Gobetya is looking for developers to work with them on their new multiplayer mobile gaming system.  If you're interested, drop them a line.

Meffys Still Open

Due to exceptional demand (it says), the MEF Awards are still open for entries.

The winners will be announced at the Meffys gala dinner at the Intercontinental Carlton Hotel in Cannes, France on Thursday 8 May. Last year the industry turned out in force to recognise its stars in Monte Carlo at a dinner attended by 400 guests.

Even better, there are still sponsorship opportunities available for the dinner itself - and spaces. You can book a ticket for €299 (or €249 for members) and rub shoulders with the mighty of the mobile world.

We can't stress how excited we are to hear this.  It's like finding out Captain Jack Sparrow has room for a new cabin boy - and you'll get your share of booty!

At £300 a pop, it's a fabulous opportunity to see your game up there, alongside the winning Gameloft entry.

More Mobile Awards - Enter Your Game For Glory & Fame!

The Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) has sent out a quick reminder that you still have time to enter this year's 'MEFFY' awards.  Categories include games, music, TV & video, Search & Discovery and best handset, so something for everyone.

It's a bit steep if you're not a member, £300 per entry, but the awards are very sleek and modern, sort of carbonite, but without the crunchy Han Solo centre.

The awards will be handed out at the Mobile Entertainment Market (MEM), which takes place on May 8th and 9th and is this year, conveniently located in Cannes.

You can find out all about the awards on the official MEF site.

(In case you're wondering, the gentleman above was the recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the MEF.  While he's almost unknown outside the mobile world - and in truth not much known inside it - he's had as much impact on the games world as Miyamoto San, Mr W.Wright or that Jones fellow...)

Braveheart - The Mobile Game

This was going to be a nice simple news story about Hong Kong mobile game developer Artificial Life picking up the Braveheart license.

However, while looking for Screenshots from the original Braveheart game (developed by Red Lemon and released by Eidos in 1999, fact fans), we came found the following introduction to the game on the Mobygames site:

"As a scottish Lord in medieval England, you have to unite the clans and defeat the british army."

Now we're just too despondent to actually bother.  Sorry.

Pocket Gamer In Dundee

Dundee's mobile game studios - Cobra, Digital Goldfish, Dynamo and Tag recently played host to Pocket Gamer's Jon Jordan.

Jon visited the studios, saw the games and spoke to the people in charge.

The individual interviews and articles will go live later this week.  In the meantime, you can enjoy Jon's introduction here.

As Tag's Paul Farley says "What with Ettle’s mug featuring on the front page of MobileGamesIndustry.biz, Brian ‘Fancy Boy’ McNicoll taking over on ScottishGames.biz and current/forthcoming reviews of Dynamo, Tag and Cobra titles on PocketGamer/MobileGameFaqs it looks like the Dundee boys have achieved media saturation point!"

IPlay Backs Game Design Competition

I-play is backing a competition to encourage the creation of new and original mobile games.  The winning entry will not only win their weight in Motorola RAZRS (not true), but will also have their game published by I-play itself (true).

There are two categories, for best Java game and best Windows Mobile game.  The competition is open to all developers in Motorola's MOTODEV programme.  We'd imagine it's free or at least low cost to sign up...

If you fancy making a name for yourself as a mobile gaming god, visit the competition site.
 

Real Business/O2 Mobile Top 50

IPlay were in there too.  Sorry chaps...

Tag & Dynamo In UK Top 50 Mobile Companies

Two Scottish Mobile Games Developers In UK Top 50

Tag Games and Dynamo Games Chosen From Hundreds Of Entries

Dundee, UK, February 6th, 2007.  Dundee's association with the games industry has extended into the next generation of technology, with the news today that two of the city's mobile games developers have featured in Real Business/O2 50 To Watch In Mobile competition.

Tag Games was placed at number 23 in the Top 50 and Dynamo Games at number 47.

Dynamo Games and Tag Games both design and create games for the latest generation of mobile game handsets.  The inclusion of both companies in the list is unprecedented for such young businesses.  Dynamo Games was founded in 2004, while Tag Games followed in early 2006.

The competition, run by Real Business magazine and mobile network O2, was open to hardware, software and service companies working throughout the UK's mobile technology sector. 

A panel of judges from the industry and the media examined hundreds of entries from mobile businesses, before selecting the 50 they believe show the most promise.

Dynamo Games is the creator of the mobile version of the popular football management game Championship Manager and recently announced it is to release a game based on Countdown, the popular Channel 4 quiz show.  Tag Games released Dead Water it's first title in mid-2006 and has several new original games currently in development.

Other companies within the Top 50 included major games and entertainment publishers such as I-play, Player X and Telcogames, as well as established infrastructure and service providers like mBlox and Mobiqa Ltd.

Link to image.