Nokia to bring “Space Shooter” to mobile gaming world

Massively multi-player online game to hit Java phones through the Nokia SNAP Mobile service later this year Nokia, the leader in mobile communications, announced today that hundreds of thousands of players will soon be able to connect through “Space Shooter” (working title), a massively multi-player online game (MMOG), available on selected Java-enabled cell phones through the Nokia SNAP Mobile service. Building on the success of Nokia’s first Java MMOG, “Pocket Kingdom,” this persistent online co-operative 3D game pits humanity against alien hordes in the backdrop of outer space.

“Our users told us they wanted deeper gameplay in the Java domain, so we’re harnessing the power of Java to bring massively multi-player games like ‘Space Shooter’ and ‘Pocket Kingdom’ to phones,” said Lisa Waits, head of Nokia SNAP Mobile. “And because our Nokia SNAP Mobile service can run on any carrier and Java handset - be it Nokia or some other - our community of users has huge potential.” All online Java games currently created for the Nokia SNAP Mobile platform are supported by Series 60 Java MIDP2.0 capable phones from Nokia and the handset support for other Nokia and non-Nokia handsets is broadened shortly. Earlier this year, Nokia announced deals with Hong-Kong based carrier SmarTone and has several other deals in the works with other carriers to bring Nokia SNAP Mobile platform games to their customers. “Space Shooter”, developed by Monkey Business, is set in a persistent online world where players take part in a massively cooperative, ship-to-ship war against an attacking alien horde. A live moderator keeps the game fresh by guiding the alien fleets and adding new starbases, alien nests and other challenges. “‘Space Shooter’ breaks new ground by requiring players to team up in order to counter actions taken by the moderator,” said Burt Sloane, Monkey Business' Top Banana. "We're excited to partner with Nokia to bring this experience to players using Nokia SNAP Mobile solution." Like other titles for Nokia SNAP Mobile, “Space Shooter” offers friends list and chat, but also includes score reporting, leader boards, community news blog and offline message play. “Space Shooter” is expected to be available on mobile phones later this year.