Muse.On-The.Net

In some circles discussing games for cell phones invites derision and ridicule, particularly from the hard core. Certainly, relative lack of processing power, small screen sizes, limited audio and memory, and tiny keypads are valid arguments against the merits of mobile phones as a game platform. Yet the weight of these factors has diminished over time as newer models are increasingly raising the bar of performance and capability, and developers are pushing the envelope of what can be done on a hand-held device. Indeed, combined with the true strengths of cell phones - mobile ubiquity and deployed volume - EA reports making more profit from their mobile phone games than from either PS3 or PSP games. This from a mocked gaming platform?

In Electronic Arts’ financial reporting for the third quarter of 2007, they reveal making $37 million from mobile gaming versus $17 million from PS3 and $21 million from the PSP. To be certain, mobile phone profits are far below those for Xbox 360, PS2, the Wii, and the Nintendo DS, but it is not a platform that can be ignored.

Indeed, EA was recently surpassed by Gameloft as the leading producer of mobile game content, as measured by sales. Furthermore, while EA’s mobile phone division grew by 5.7%, Gameloft grew by 51%. Perhaps EA has not yet taking mobile phone gaming seriously enough!

Cell phone games are here to stay. Pundits predicting otherwise should remember that money is the great motivator and this is ample proof that money can be made.