Ericsson exhibits hot games

According to Charlotte Skanstad, Project Manager, LM Ericsson the worldwide total market for digital games is worth over US$30 billion. The primary platforms have been PC and consoles but now the mobile phone is taking an increasingly bigger part of the pie.

Ericsson recently conducted extensive research in the Middle East markets that revealed 32% of users in the UAE and Saudi Arabia play games at least once a week. These numbers outperform other mobile services like MMS, portal browsing and listening to music or even mobile TV.

Ericsson's research also showed that the game market today is worth US$67 million and could reach US$377 million by 2011 when considering the strong growth in the Middle East.

"Gaming is very big business and universities, banks, clothing stores, soft drink manufacturers and airlines across the world are tapping into the gaming market to push their experience and brand image," said Mohammed Al Maskari, Director General, KOM.

"In co-operation with SonyEricsson, we'll have an exhibition booth at eGames and we'll be encouraging delegates to try out the latest mobile multimedia handsets and the hottest mobile games currently available in the Omani market," said Skanstad.

Delegates will have he opportunity to experience the latest technology - IMS - that will radically enhance the possibilities for mobile gaming applications.

According to Skanstad: "The new IMS-based multimedia services will change the users' communication experience where they will be able to combine various content and communication, share with others and invite multiple contacts. This is a very exciting development in the gaming space. Adding, online gaming can run between mobile phones and PCs and fixed line phones and PDAs."