Mobile games leap to the next level

By Christina Okoli

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PICTURE it. Your in the middle of a game of Tomb Raider, you've surpassed your best ever score, you've slayed the villains, saved the virtuous, and now you're about to leap Lara into the next level, but then the phone rings. It's your mates. You were supposed to have met them at the pub ages ago. You tell them you're on your way. But, then what about Lara What about your game

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Well, two of the biggest names in the technology industry have come together to create a gadget that allows you to take Lara with you. Sony, the makers of PlayStation and NTT DoCoMo, the Japanese phone operator, have recently announce their joint venture to create a hybrid device that marries a computer game console with a mobile phone. This device, which will, in affect, be a portable PlayStation, will allow users to transfer games from a fixed home console onto a mobile phone.

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Although games have been available on mobiles for some time, it is not yet possible to connect games played on phones and those played on fixed consoles. Sony and DoCoMo have been working on the project since last August, and the result is likely to be a gamers dream come true. With international heavy-weights, including AT&T Wireless of the US, KPN Mobile, Telecom Italia Mobile and Hutchison 3G of Europe, already involved in the venture, the device promises to be an instant success.

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Sony is responsible for ensuring that the mobile PlayStation has colourful, smooth, high quality graphics and DoCoMo is charged with ensuring that the technology is affordable and reliable.

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After only two years on the market, the i-mode service has attracted over 17 million subscribers across Japan. Using a similar technology, the portable PlayStation is guaranteed to take gaming technology to the next level.

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The working model for the portable PlayStation is expected to be unveiled in Japan as soon as March this year, however no dates for an overseas release have yet been set.

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Already, the two companies have enlisted the help of leading game developers to assist with the final design and implementation of the device, but as yet no games are available.

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The business community has greeted the idea with enthusiasm and, following the recent demise of Sony's Dreamcast, the venture is being seen as a welcome step forward for the embattled gaming industry.