WAP over GPRS Content Congress, London, 4-5 July 2001 WAP Gaming over GPRS Stefan Pettersson Director Development Picofun

Agenda About Picofun WAP & Mobile Gaming in General GPRS Impact on WAP Games Java (execution on terminal/local storage) WAP Games That Work – Case Studies

About Picofun Creates, publishes and distributes leading edge mobile games through network operators Strong focus on community games, and work with all technologies to maximize the value to the operator Increase the average mobile internet session – this is real $ value to the operator Provides turn-key solution to the operator, including hosting, statistics, top quality, marketing tools, 24h support, etc. Working with Ericsson, Motorola, France Telecom, Telefonica, Omnitel, KPN, Deutsche Telekom, One2One and more...

WAP & Mobile Gaming in General SMS Preinstalled games (i.e Snake, etc) WAP Java (terminal executed) PDA Handheld Console What does the hardcore gamer prefer?

Mobile Internet Game Development Use the strengths of the mobile » Mobility- Play everywhere » Access- Play anytime » Users- Play against anybody Design with the environment in mind »Different target audience »Consumer expectations »Design for the payment model It’s gameplay that counts!

GPRS Impact On WAP Games Always Online Increased Bandwidth Different Payment Model Push User behaviour changes!

Always Online Connecting no longer takes forever Connecting is more reliable Users play more often Users play in short bursts Game must deliver instant feedback Game should stimulate frequent login

Increased Bandwith Decreased response time Shorter load time Page transitions not as tedious User don’t find graphics as slow Use graphics to enhance gameplay Utilize bandwidth where appropriate

Different Payment Model Cost based on volume, not time No initial startup fee per call User not stressed by cents ticking per minute Cost no longer an obstacle to connect Design with payment model in mind Encourage and support spontaneous use

Push If appropriate designed, may replace SMS Interact with ”not logged in” users Allow ”offline” interaction in game Use to trigger game play

GPRS Impact On WAP - Conclusion Design, encourage and support a use of the game/application that fits the user behaviour. User perception is key – if a user feels something is bad – then it is!

Java Execution on terminal Local storage Terminal software (i.e wap-browser) no longer an explicit limitation Exceptionally useful in combination with packet based communication (i.e GPRS, 3G) The big thing of mobile gaming!

Online Gaming Multiplayer games that need some kind of connection to a server to be played The game is downloaded to the client and the user can download updates to the game The game can be played against one or more users. Either in real time or turn based CONNECTION Operator CONNECTION Clients

Offline Gaming Single player games that you play without any connection to a server The user can download the game to his client or it can be preinstalled on the device Any opponent in the game must be implemented in the game as an AI character Operator APPLICATION DOWNLOAD 1 2 Playing the game on an offline client

Combination Gaming Single and/or multiplayer games that don’t depend on a server connection but can add extra functionality to the game with it Extra functionality can be new levels to download, the ability to share user created data with other users or upload user highscores to the server Client HIGH SCORE NEW LEVELCUSTOM LEVEL Clients Operator

Online Billing CHOOSE GAME DOWNLOAD SEND TO A FRIEND PLAY AND PAY User Operator

Offline Billing Happy user playing offline User CHOOSE GAME DOWNLOAD PAY Operator

Combination Billing CHOOSE GAME DOWNLOAD PAY UPLOAD HIGHSCORES OR FRIEND INVITATION DOWNLOAD LEVELS PAY User Operator User PAY AND PLAY Happy user playing offline

WAP Games That Work – Case Studies Big Brother – Lifestylers »Community game based on well known brand On the Green »WAP game making use of GPRS through sophisticated 3D-technology

Big Brother - Lifestylers

Use of well known brand User interaction more important than goal Symbiosis between media (TV) & brand (Big Brother/Channel 4), operator (BT Cellnet, Genie) and content (the game by Picofun) In 1 month... » unique new users » game sessions » page impressions » minutes in BT Cellnet’s network

On the Green

Instant gameplay »Encourages spontaneus play Instant feedback »The user get what he/she wants User decide session length »The user decides how much money to spend Multiplayer challenge possible, but not forced Cutting edge WAP game (design & technology) Support for event-marketing

Questions? Thank you! Stefan Pettersson - wap.picofun.com...and remember: user perception is everything!