Monday, September 16, 2002
Define "Wireless Games," Please
Posted by Brad Adrian in "ARTICLE" @ 11:31 AM
http://www.wirelessnewsfactor.com/perl/story/19404.html
Here's an article from WirelessNewsFactor that seems to be following the market-wide mantra that wireless games will be the savior that wireless carriers have been looking for. It's an interesting piece and it does a fairly good job of bringing up many of the issues surrounding "wireless games."
One thing that kind of bothers me, though, is that I think it confuses a couple of concepts: wireless games and wireless gaming. To me, "wireless games" refers to the ability to download and play games on a wireless device like a PDA or handset. To me, "wireless gaming" refers to the ability to actually play games or gamble while connected wirelessly, either against a computer or fellow gameplayer. I feel pretty confident that there is significant opportunity for a wireless carrier that can offer compelling content like games for me to play on my handset; I'd pay a few bucks for a well-written Tetris clone.
But, if a wireless carrier REALLY wants to get me to pony up some money, it should focus on creating a handset-based game that I can play with my friends no matter where we are. That way, I pay for the game AND I pay for the databits used while playing. Granted, the price points would have to be right, but this kind of stuff could capture a lot of interest.
What about you? Would you play games wirelessly on your Pocket PC against your buddies or a computer (if the price were right)? Would you do it on a wireless handset? Other than careful pricing, what would a carrier have to do to get you interested?
Here's an article from WirelessNewsFactor that seems to be following the market-wide mantra that wireless games will be the savior that wireless carriers have been looking for. It's an interesting piece and it does a fairly good job of bringing up many of the issues surrounding "wireless games."
One thing that kind of bothers me, though, is that I think it confuses a couple of concepts: wireless games and wireless gaming. To me, "wireless games" refers to the ability to download and play games on a wireless device like a PDA or handset. To me, "wireless gaming" refers to the ability to actually play games or gamble while connected wirelessly, either against a computer or fellow gameplayer. I feel pretty confident that there is significant opportunity for a wireless carrier that can offer compelling content like games for me to play on my handset; I'd pay a few bucks for a well-written Tetris clone.
But, if a wireless carrier REALLY wants to get me to pony up some money, it should focus on creating a handset-based game that I can play with my friends no matter where we are. That way, I pay for the game AND I pay for the databits used while playing. Granted, the price points would have to be right, but this kind of stuff could capture a lot of interest.
What about you? Would you play games wirelessly on your Pocket PC against your buddies or a computer (if the price were right)? Would you do it on a wireless handset? Other than careful pricing, what would a carrier have to do to get you interested?
