From mobile phone to mobile joystick

As we start the year 2003, allow me to be one of the first to bring some positive news. I’m not going to dwell on the political landscape that is taking shape before us, but on new developments that will reshape the telecoms, broadcast and IT fields.

Last Dec. 19, Gamechannel, Asia’s first TV-mobile arcade gaming channel, made its initial telecast on IBC-13. Once again, the Philippines has shown that it can take the lead in introducing innovative applications in the mobile arena.

Gamechannel allows mobile subscribers (initially available to Globe subscribers) to play arcade-type games shown on TV using their mobile phones as the joystick or control console. They will be the actual players in the game, not just text partners. And games on Gamechannel allow for a truly multi-player environment where more than 20 players can play simultaneously.

Currently, there are two genres of games available on the Gamechannel – Action Games and Mind Games. To play any of the Gamechannel’s games, you simply have to register by texting G reg username (your username should be six characters at the most) to 2359. You only need to register once. After that you can play any of the games. If you’re tired of your old username, you can register a new username following the same registration procedure. Aside from playing, you can also chat with your fellow gamers by texting chat (your message) to 2359.

Action Games

Action Games, as the name suggests, allow the subscribers to play action-oriented games where he competes with other players to gain as many points as possible and be the game’s top player. There are two action games you can play.

Katapult is an exciting war game that tests a gamer’s ability to accurately define coordinates in order to hit his opponents. The game also boasts of very good graphics and sound effects. There are four different battle landscapes that add to the visual appeal of the game.

The objective of the game is to be able to hurl stones at your opponent by texting the right coordinates of direction and length. There is an angle guide on the screen to show you the directions you can target depending on where you are on the TV screen. At the bottom of the screen is a length meter guide to help you calculate the distance of the throw. Although it may sound a bit complicated, it’s actually easy once you’ve tried it.

To start playing Katapult, just text K start to 2359. After a few seconds, your Caveman and Katapult, with your username, will appear on the screen. To start hurling your rocks, just text K (angle) (length) to 2359. If for example, you are located on the lower lefthand corner of the screen and your opponent is on the upper righthand corner of the screen, you may want to text k 45 50. That means you’re firing at a 45-degree angle with a 50-unit length coordinate. You will then see your katapult turning in the desired direction and hurling the rock.

Katapult allows 30 players, divided into two teams, to play simultaneously, which makes it really fun and exciting. However, if there are more than 30 players who registered to play, the game has a queuing system such that if a player is hit and is eliminated, the first player in line automatically appears on the screen. Points are earned by hitting the enemy, the dinosaurs roaming around and even your own teammate, although that is not advisable.

Bumper Cars is a demolition derby game where your objective is to bump other cars in order to earn points. Like Katapult, the graphics and sound effects make the game quite engaging to play and if you’re the type who likes motor mayhem, then this is the game for you.

In Bumper Cars, your targets are the other cars in the arena. These cars are marked by letters. You can also text the numbered areas in the arena, which you can use as a resting place to avoid the chaos. You can text a maximum of six characters. Avoid getting hit too often as your car will turn red and explode. To repair your car, text 1 and it will go to the pit stop where your car will be repaired. Points are given for each bump that you give and if your hit causes a car to explode, you get more points.

To play Bumper Cars, text B start to 2359. In a few seconds, your car, with your user name and a letter, will appear on the screen. If there are cars marked a, b, c, d, e, etc., then you can text B abcd1e. Your bumper car will then proceed to hit cars a to d, go to the pit stop and then hit car e.

Like Katapult, Bumper Cars is a multi-player game where up to 24 players can play simultaneously and it also has a queuing system so that if the arena is full of players and a car explodes, the first in line will be chosen by the system to be the next player.

Mind Games

Mind Games are games that stimulate and challenge the brain. In these games, there is no limit to the number of participants. Anyone and everyone can play. There are three kinds of mind games you can play to test your brainpower.

If you love solving crossword puzzles, then Crosstext is your game. However, instead of having a pencil and paper, all you need is a TV and your mobile phone. Playing Crosstext is easy. Your clues to the puzzle are found on the left side of the screen. Each number corresponds to only one question. To answer the clues, just text C (clue no.) (answer) to 2359. For example, if clue no. 1 is ______ is beautiful, you just text C 1 Life to 2359.

There is a five-minute time limit to solve each puzzle. Each correct answer earns you points but the first 10 people to solve the whole puzzle gets to earn bonus points.

Triviatext is the game for the quiz show fanatic. Subscribers can solve multiple choice trivia questions on history, science, geography, current events, music, etc. You are given 20 seconds per question to text your answers. The answers to the questions will be revealed after the last question is shown. Each correct answer earns you points and like Crosstext, the first 10 people to answer all questions correctly earn bonus points.

To answer questions, just text T (question number) (letter of choice) to 2359.

For example, if question 1 is:

1. Oslo is the capital of:

a) Norway

b) Sweden

c) Maldives

Just text T 1 a to 2359.

Searchtext requires players to find words within a jumbled arrangement of letters based on a theme. The key to succeed in this game is to find all the hidden words as quickly as possible and beat the other players in the skill of speed texting. Each game has 15 hidden words and you have five minutes of playtime per game. The hidden words will be revealed at the end of the five-minute game period. Every correct answer earns points and the first 10 to find all the hidden words earn bonus points.

To play Searchtext, just text S (hidden word) to 2359.

With Gamechannel, families and friends can get together and play with one another in the comfort of their homes. It provides both entertainment and education. It’s a learning and fun experience. The regular telecast begins this Thursday (Jan. 9) at 6 to 7 p.m., and will be seen every Tuesday and Thursday on IBC-13. Before each game is played, infomercials will be aired to guide you on how to play the games. For those of you who want to learn more about the games and game play details, log on to www.gamechannel.tv.

So are you prepared to kiss your social life goodbye? Watch Gamechannel and find out why.

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The author is the marketing director of Wireless Services Asia, a pioneer of local mobile value-added services. For any questions, you can e-mail him at [email protected].