Mobile game

Mobile games are computer games for mobile phones similar to the games for PCs and game consoles.

Had the early mobile games such as Snake or memory, no color graphics, and were carried over from the early days of the computer, they are designed increasingly complex with the advent of Java-enabled mobile phones, color displays, better processing power and an extended set of keys (arrow keys, joysticks ).

Background

Mobile games have either a fixed in the operating system of the phone, or they can be installed later. The latter method requires a suitable interface with the mobile phone. Especially in the low area Java is used in mobile phones variant adapted to J2ME, such as in the Nokia Series 40 Meanwhile, the most common operating systems support multiple programming languages ​​, important when programming the various integrated development environment have become.

For the transmission of the games on the phone, there are several options: Short Message Service ( SMS), an online connection to the Internet ( OTA, " over-the- air" ), and the transfer from the computer ( cable, infrared or Bluetooth connection). Once installed, these games can be used indefinitely. Thus, a commercially purchased game can be used on only one phone, it is linked to the serial number (IMEI ).

Availability

Meanwhile, many well-known computer games are also available as a mobile version; There are also some games online high score tables, via the mobile phone gamers can measure each other. In addition, the current boom of multiplayer games ( MMORPG) seem to enforce even in mobile phones. The German game developer CipSoft has brought the first MMORPG for mobile phones on the market by its own account with TibiaME.

In addition, there is a trend to observe that mobile phones are used with their Internet connection as a platform for outdoor multiplayer games. For example, combines the java game Tourality the multiplayer functionality with satellite-related navigation (GPS ) to a location-based game.

On the Internet, there are now many websites selling mobile games. Some of these take advantage of the partner programs of the major providers. Caution is advised when ordering a game. Often a subscription is ordered without explicitly noted. Good sites offer not only a screenshot, but also additional content such as images, videos, reviews, match reports and the description of the control around the games. There are also some sites that offer games of volunteer programmers for free. If you want to verify that before downloading from the quality of a game, you can try this on a few sites online. The game is presented in an emulator and you can test both functionality and graphics and sound.

Smartphones games can be downloaded as a so-called app, usually via a provided by the operating system vendor App Store.

Development

The computer game development industry is focusing their attention since the beginning of the millennium also increasingly on mobile phones. Various publishers such as THQ have created separate departments for games on mobile phones and other handheld devices. Several newly established development studios are focused on this fast growing market segment.

Since cell phone games, as opposed to PC and console games also complexity and scope are made ​​much less complicated currently both in graphics than, are these teams of developers from far fewer people. The development time is only a few months, while PC games are usually developed by a large team of developers in a period of two to three years.

Classic arcade games such as Pac -Man or Frogger other hand, are implemented usually 1:1. However, of interest is the observation that more and more games, which once formed the top of a system experiencing a recurrence on cell phones, such as the classic Cannon Fodder or Turrican. These were once also developed by large teams, however, be implemented within a few weeks, albeit with some limitations today.

Another trend is that mobile games will also appear on current PC or console titles to draw attention to this. These include, for example, the corresponding mobile games burnout, Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl and Call of Juarez. These have the originals but mostly little in common. Since the 2010s, there are increasingly Second Screen approaches - as published Ubisoft Assassin's Creed IV a " companion app", on which can be accessed on the score of the main game and additional content can be played.