Ericsson and Terraplay unveil innovative on-line, multi-player games system
Ericsson and Terraplay unveil innovative on-line, multi-player games system Ericsson and IT Provider's joint-venture company, Terraplay Systems AB, has launched a system for Internet Service Providers and game developers that allows high-graphic-quality games to be played on-line by several players over Internet. Users can play games while at home or on the move, using PCs, Macs, games consoles or wireless devices. President of Terraplay Systems AB, Bengt Lilliequist, said "Traditionally, multi-player games played over IP networks, especially dial-up networks, have been slow, offered a limited on-line experience and could not support many players. Our system dramatically reduces the bandwidth required for a high-quality game experience wherever the players are in the world, and allows the building of large and abundantly populated game worlds." The heart of the Terraplay Gamecast system is a combined server/router that can intelligently prioritize real-time traffic in an IP network. The system uses advanced database and routing technologies, reducing the load on the game server and allowing more players to be supported. The Terraplay Action Online Application Programming Interface (API) enables games developers to create and implement sophisticated games in a straightforward way. The API is also easy to implement in existing games. A major benefit of the Terraplay system is that it is independent of the access method and games platform used, opening up the market to a very large number of potential players. Players can use PSTN modems, broadband Internet connections or wireless access to join in, and they can use PC, Mac, games console or wireless devices to play. On-line games are expected to be a major source of revenue for ISPs and game developers. Research by Jupiter estimates the value of the US market alone at US$211 million this year, and US$770 million by 2003. Terraplay AB, of Solna near Stockholm, Sweden, began in 1998 as a research project within Ericsson. In February this year it became a separate company - a joint venture between Ericsson and venture capital company IT Provider. The company is a model for the development of innovative projects that Ericsson intends to develop further through its new incubator company Ericsson Business Innovation AB. Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet. Ericsson provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the world. Please visit Ericsson's Press Room at: http://www.ericsson.se/pressroom OR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Mads Madsen, Press Manager, Ericsson Corporate Communications. Tel: +46 8 719 06 26; Email: mads.madsen@lme.ericsson.se Gunnar Tyrsing, Vice President, Ericsson Business Innovation AB. Tel: +46 8 757 23 53; Email: gunnar.tyrsing@era.ericsson.se Bengt Lilliequist, President, Terraplay AB. Tel: +46 8 764 5900; Email: bengt.lilliequist@terraplay.com ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/06/16/20000616BIT00980/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/06/16/20000616BIT00980/bit0002.pdf