Can mobile phones really be a dominant platform?

If Digital Chocolate and Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins are to be believed, mobile phones can be a dominant force in the world of gaming.

With a billion handsets that can handle games, Hawkins argued that “the mobile phone is in a position to be the dominant platform in the same way the PC turned out to be the dominant platform of desktop computing”. He also pointed out that unlike in the internet where people are used to getting free services, mobile phone users are willing to pay for extra services, which makes it a huge business prospect.

The man behind Digital Chocolate, a publisher of games such Scarlotti’s Mafia Wars 2, Mobile League Sports Network, Bubble Ducky, Tower Bloxx and Johnny Crash, emphasized that since most people nowadays prefer to be continuously on the go, portable materials/equipments are more likely to be embraced by consumers.

He also likened the mobile gaming to a community experience saying that “we see the mobile phone as the social computer” thus making it more possible for cellphone users to get more attached to their gadget; a looming huge factor for it to progress. His observation banks on the fact that since most mobile users are outside their home and usually among strangers, they yearn more for company; companionship that according to him can be found via online mobile games.

These assertions remain to be seen. As of now, I wouldn’t even dream of trading any of my consoles to any of the latest mobile phones – but then again, my views may change if someday I get to have mobile game platform of my own.
If Digital Chocolate and Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins are to be believed, mobile phones can be a dominant force in the world of gaming.

With a billion handsets that can handle games, Hawkins argued that “the mobile phone is in a position to be the dominant platform in the same way the PC turned out to be the dominant platform of desktop computing”. He also pointed out that unlike in the internet where people are used to getting free services, mobile phone users are willing to pay for extra services, which makes it a huge business prospect.

The man behind Digital Chocolate, a publisher of games such Scarlotti’s Mafia Wars 2, Mobile League Sports Network, Bubble Ducky, Tower Bloxx and Johnny Crash, emphasized that since most people nowadays prefer to be continuously on the go, portable materials/equipments are more likely to be embraced by consumers.

He also likened the mobile gaming to a community experience saying that “we see the mobile phone as the social computer” thus making it more possible for cellphone users to get more attached to their gadget; a looming huge factor for it to progress. His observation banks on the fact that since most mobile users are outside their home and usually among strangers, they yearn more for company; companionship that according to him can be found via online mobile games.

These assertions remain to be seen. As of now, I wouldn’t even dream of trading any of my consoles to any of the latest mobile phones – but then again, my views may change if someday I get to have mobile game platform of my own.