Gameloft, a developer and publisher of games for mobile phones, announced today at E3 of exclusive real-time multiplayer 3D games. Real-time multiplayer will be demonstrated at Gameloft’s booth #2460 in the West Hall at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) from May 18-20th.
Real-time multiplayer enables both players to compete simultaneously through a telecom network which is a significant advancement in first person shooter games and racing games such as Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Jungle Storm and Asphalt: Urban GT.
“2005 will be the year of 3D real-time multiplayer and we’re thrilled to be the first to offer this experience to gamers,” said Michel Guillemot, president, Gameloft. “Not only has the quality of handsets advanced greatly, but carriers’ networks have also improved which allows real-time multiplayer to happen. Gamers can now challenge each other from across the country and experience the same competitive thrill that exists with in-person challenges.”
Real-time multiplayer runs on an EV-DO network and is supported on all Verizon VCAST enabled phones. When the game is downloaded there is an option to select individual or multiplayer game mode. In the real-time multiplayer mode, the player is connected to Gameloft’s server where he/she meets other players and the game begins. There are currently three handsets, LGVX8000, Audiovox 9840, Samsung A890, that support real-time multiplayer. The highlight of this technology is that gamers do not need to have the same handset to play against each other. LGVX8000 owners can race with a Samsung A890 owner in a racing game like Gameloft’s Asphalt: Urban GT.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Jungle Storm multiplayer can be played in two modes, cooperative and deathmatch. In the cooperative mode, the player is able to team up with another gamer to fight enemies. Individual points from each player are displayed and the player with the most points wins the game. In the deathmatch version, the gamer is pitted against other live players who become the enemy. The action takes place in special multiplayer maps and players fight against each other using a grenade launcher. The first player to reach four points wins the match.
In Asphalt: Urban GT, players race against each other, and will also have to compete against six other cars controlled by artificial intelligence.
In addition to real-time multiplayer, Gameloft will be demonstrating a line-up of new and familiar titles at E3.
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