MoMinis is a company that specialises in assisting people to make their own mobile games. Using the purpose-built MoMinis Studio, developers can build their own games from scratch, and then use the MoMinis online platform to distribute their games for profit. Sound like something you’d be interested in? Then read on for all the details.
Here’s the press release from the event that I attended earlier today in Cape Town. I’ll have the full details, reports and most likely an interview with three senior staff members from MXit up in the next couple of days.
MXit today launched a beta version of its API (application programming interface), which gives entrepreneurs/software developers the ability to create social, commercial, entertainment, gaming, social upliftment and other applications for the vast user base of MXit worldwide.
The launch not only opens a commercial door for people wanting to engage with users of one of the continent’s largest mobile media platforms, but it has the potential to provide a lucrative revenue stream.
“This is perhaps the most exciting chapter in MXit’s history as a mobile social network and time will tell where this new evolution will take us,” says Herman Heunis, CEO and founder of MXit. “The launch of the API allows software developers/entrepreneurs, from anywhere in the world, with a brilliant idea or concept to create unique applications for our users. The main obstacles normally facing entrepreneurs in the mobile space, such as support for countless different phones, marketing of their application(s), revenue collection and secure billing, are all taken care of as we not only support more than 2,500 different mobile handsets, but also have our own virtual currency, MXit Moola.
As an entrepreneurial spirited company, it is important to us that entrepreneurs who engage with us are rewarded with a revenue share, which could be as much as 70% (after cost). By opening MXit for external application development, the social network is effectively giving entrepreneurs/developers an opportunity to use their creativity to extend their business or software development to a mobile community that has a natural affinity for social interaction. Paramount to this is protection of our users and we will screen external applications carefully to ensure they fall within our brand values”.
Heunis continues, “It’s all about creating applications that will excite or fulfill a definite need to the community. Our aim, as always, is to ensure that our users are consistently delighted by our platform and its capabilities; and this is illustrated by the way MXit has evolved from an instant messaging platform in the early days to a mobile social network that incorporates vast communities that use MXit to enhance their lifestyles.”
How to develop applications for MXit:
An external developer will need to register with MXit at code.mxit.com.
Once registered and logged in for the first time, a test application name and password will be issued to connect the test application to MXit. This will allow developers to become familiar with all aspects of creating an application on MXit’s platform.
Prior to actual development of an application, the concept needs to be approved by MXit to ensure it falls within the MXit brand guidelines and is applicable to its user base.
Once approved and developed, the application will be hosted by the developer
What this means for the MXit community:
An application library will enable users to select and try out submitted applications from a constantly updated menu list. Users will pay for an application or virtual goods within the application using MXit Moola – unless the application is free or has sponsored advertising within it.
Proof of concept
MXit has launched some prototypes that are already proving popular with their community; for example, tiXi, a time-based, multi-player educational word game that allows users to compete against each other by compiling words from random letters.
Thousands of games are started every day in English, Afrikaans and numerals. A game lasts 10 minutes, a user has 60 seconds to enter a game, and any number of users can start simultaneously.
Users invite friends from their contact list to participate, thus increasing the game’s social impact.
About MXit
MXit is a global mobile social networking application that allows users to chat on mobile and PC from anywhere in the world. It is fast becoming the preferred mobile social network for communicating with young people in Africa.
MXit does not charge for the sending and receiving of multimedia messages as it uses the internet rather than the more costly standard SMS technology.
MXit delights its users by continuously unveiling social networking applications in entertainment, lifestyle features and communication that enrich the lives of its users. This commitment towards innovation is the cornerstone of its success.
MXit started as a mobile games developer and first introduced mobile instant messaging to South Africa in 2005. In this way, MXit crossed the boundaries of affordable communication and connected people across the globe.
To download MXit:
Open your mobile browser, type in m.mxit.com and simply follow the prompts.
As geeks, (well, true geeks) all technology fascinates us. We’re brand-loyal to an extent, but just about anything piques our interest no matter who makes it. A robot spider? Way cool. Nanomachines? Hideo explains the concept very well in MGS4, and makes us aware of the amazing things technology can do for us. Toilets that report to our doctors concerning our health? Super, now he knows whenever we’re having a dump and suffering from indigestion at the same time.
But the tech that’s most interesting for geeks like myself these days is the gap between netbooks and cellphones that has created this amazing market for touch tablets and smartphones that cost more than a (cheap) second-hand car. In this market, Apple shines as the superior choice when it comes to an interface and OS that works very well for touch screens. Windows Mobile isn’t suited for this environment despite all the recent updates to it (Mobile 7 may be Microsoft’s savior). Its not as aged as Symbian S60 was (still is), but improvements are still necessary for it to work properly. In spite of this some companies are releasing it on smartphones, and its going up against the giants of the industry: Apple, Symbian and the heavy-hitting newcomer, Google’s Android.
Apple iPhone 4
Is it a tablet? No, its the latest iteration of Apple’s iPhone range. The iPhone 4 packs so much functionality that you might never need a tablet. A snappy 1Ghz CPU, what looks to be 512MB RAM, the best touch-designed OS in the industry, and access to the most profitable online app and music store in computing history make this a very tempting option. Yes, you can edit documents and type out a book, if you’re patient. Yes, it does fit into your pocket without looking like you’ve got a gun in it. Its manly, its got a aluminum bevel, and costs more money than sense. Some might say that not one other phone has bridged the netbook and cellphone market so effectively.
Dell Streak
Until the Streak came along, that is. This might be the real deal, a phone that doubles, quite comfortably, as a proper mobile internet tablet. Nokia’s N900 might be the only thing currently able to lay claim to that title, but it has design flaws that make the device useless to anyone with larger than average hands. The keyboard is so small that you have to have two nibbly thumbs like Megan Fox’s one to type fast without making mistakes and I don’t know about you readers, but I think its just pointless. The Streak, with its 5″ LCD, Android 2.1 OS, and LED backlighting might make you want to part with your money (or testes, whichever you prefer) to own one.
A sizeable shoe, the Streak, Blackberry's 9650, Sony Ericsson Xperia, and a Nokia N-series. Big mother, innnit?
Please beware, though, of how fast your dork rating will shoot up the minute you take out a small ringing book with moving pictures and start talking to it.
Nokia N9
Its still a concept, but that’s why I’m excited for this average-looking slider that almost immediately turns into a mini laptop. Don’t believe me? Take a look at the pictures. Now, go on, draw a 113.5 x 59.1mm rectangle. If you’ve actually done it, well done, because now you have an idea of how big and possibly comfortable this thing is, bearing in mind it still extends to reveal a almost full keyboard. It won’t sport the 680Mhz CPU of the Nokia N8, or the brand spanking new Symbian ^3 OS, but quite possibly could share the camera and build quality of the N8. The MeeGo OS, being Linux-based, has the strength to take on Apple’s OS 4, and might even shoehorn Maemo out of the smartphone segment.
Any of these three phones stands the chance of being king of the hill, which currently is Nokia. Symbian is still a tough nut to crack, and many have failed trying to rival the legendary devices. These three phones, backed by giants in the industry, may have a fighting chance, but they’ve got their work cut out for them
Don’t kill me for saying this, but as a fairly, um… let’s go with “hardcore” gamer, I can’t really see playing games on a mobile phone as a real form of gaming. I’ve tried to play some games on phones owned by my friends, and had to ask, “They made you pay for this?”
But my severely one-sided opinion notwithstanding, it seems that there are enough people out there who enjoy these mini games enough to actually pay for them. However, it seems that a leading iPhone game developer, Storm8, is now facing the possibility of a class action lawsuit for the alleged data theft by some of their games featuring code to bypass the iPhone’s safeguards and transmit personally-identifiable data back to the company. The forum over at Slashdot where this story was posted is already abuzz with subscribers giving their opinion – ranging from outrage, to exasperation at the users who didn’t take adequate steps to protect their data.
OK, I guess some mobile games are pretty good.
Like touching things? The Storm is a great first from Blackberry.
I’ll admit, cellphones are not on top of most gamers’ minds. After all, a phone must just be capable of calling people, MMSing, and loggin onto Mxit, right? Wrong.
Today, the modern cellphone has either taken over, or completely assimilated markets that used to belong to MP3 players, portable movie players, and PDAs. This boom in the capabilities of the cellular phone was never predicted, and looking at the bricks we used to have 15 years ago… eish; I’m glad that technology advances.
But why would phones be on the minds of gamers and computer geeks, you ask? Well, look at the way Blackberry and HTC have succeeded in edging PDAs out of the market – who needs one any more when the Storm does it all in such a stylish package? Have you seen PDAs as often as you used to three years ago? Of course not, they’re dinosaurs now.
And what of the new co-operation between Microsoft and Nokia to introduce Mobile Office for Symbian smartphones? This would render those silly netbooks useless for quick documents and spreadsheets while waiting on the train or in a traffic jam. Similarly, phones are being used increasingly for checking, writing, and sending e-mails, which means that today your office is truly carried with you in your pocket. Video calling, conferencing, Wi-Fi access and the ability to do things like manipulate your computer or server at home or at work (on certain HTC models) means that this makes your phone an all-in-one wonder. Hell, you can even program it to open your garage door!
Cellphones are also making things like the iPod range look dull because they can play music too. They can download it as well, and there’s no issue of DRM like you get with iTunes. Want to catch your favourite program or rugby match? Well, phones can also do that, but not always as smoothly as one would like. The one major place where cellphones are slowly taking over, as well, is the Internet market.
Microsoft Office for Mobiles will have a massive impact on Nokia's already substantial market share.
Let’s face it, paying Telkom R530 for a once-off installation of a fixed ADSL line on top of your bandwidth charges and your line rental really isn’t anyone’s cup of tea. Honestly, who wants to drop that much money in one go? That’s why cellphones are becoming more popular for their ability to be used as modems, as well as for their portability. There are no line rental or installation fees; you just plug it into your computer and, within a few clicks, you’re online! Data bundles are still pretty expensive compared to ADSL (R289 for 1GB), but this is expected to drop by as much as 50% when cellular companies switch over to the new Seacom lines.
Those wanting mobile Internet should choose a phone with 3G connectivity (I recommend the cheap Nokia 3120c and Samsung J750) and for those upgrading to a new phone, I suggest you do your research wisely – everything you need may fit in something smaller than your hand!
“Where are all the South African game dev studios?” we hear you cry. “Surely if we claim to have potential, there must be a company or two out there doing some cool stuff?”
Cease your lamentations, little one. The fairy godmother has just landed on your shoulder, sprinkled some generic magical powder over your face, and cooed, “Of course there is, you fool. Have a look at Luma Arcade.”
Yes, the fairy godmother is a rude little creature, but she has a point. Luma Arcade is what one would call a “real” game development studio: even if you look down on indie development (“Which you bloody well shouldn’t!” snaps the godmother), it cannot be said that these hardworking people aren’t making a mark on the local and international scene.
Luma Arcade started off some years ago as a humble division of a broader creative studio, the team consisting of various industry experts that included game developers absorbed from the ranks of Game.Dev and I-Imagine. Their first project was a branded racing game known as Mini #37, a “whizz around the racetrack” offering which had players zooming (and screaming, and crashing) around localised tracks that featured true-to-life environments from Durban and Cape Town. It was a really novel offering for South Africans who were able to playtest it at major events such as rAge or download it for free from the Mini #37 Website.
Since then, Luma Arcade has been expanding its game development portfolio with projects including CG movies, game trailers, real-time graphics solutions, advergames and a whole lot more.
At the moment, its crowning glory is an iPhone game called Marble Blast Mobile. If any of you are aware of GarageGames, you may have heard of the original Marble Blast, an action puzzler which has players rolling marbles along crazy, cartoon-style landscapes.
GarageGames gave Luma Arcade the responsibility of developing a mobile port of this hit classic for the iPhone, making the group one of the first iPhone game developers on the continent, and possibly the first developers in South Africa to be entrusted with such high-profile game IP. There were a lot of technical and design-related issues involved in moving a game like Marble Blast to the iPhone, but Luma Arcade rose to the challenge with innovations such as “virtual analog sticks” coupled with an educated look at previous Marble Blast titles and game design philosophy.
Aside from press announcements and the oh-so-typical marketing spiel, the people involved with Marble Blast Mobile have already offered the public a technical postmortem written by one of the core developers.
Even in these times of economic doubt, Luma Arcade has shown that there is still potential for South African developers – take a look at their stuff when you have the time, and you may just get that warm fuzzy feeling in your tummy.
Marble Blast Mobile is available from the iPhone App Store and has its own GarageGames product page for you to check out. The going price is $4.99.
When I read, a few years ago, that the World Cyber Games (or was it the Cyberathlete Professional League? I can’t remember which, now…) would be including mobile (i.e. cell-phone) games among the various events, I was, to say the least, a bit sceptical. To be fair, though, at that time my perspective excluded console gamers from the so-called “hardcore” category and I viewed mobile gamers as an even lighter, more frivolous version of that. Well, there is no denying that mobile games are, generally, aimed at a more casual audience, but I am starting to think that even that may start to change in the not-too-distant future.
Mobile phones are becoming ever more sophisticated, with increasingly powerful processors that have, for quite some time now, even allowed rudimentary 3D graphics. A few months ago, I got to play One for a couple of weeks – a “beat’em’up” game for N-Gage that I found to be surprisingly advanced. Sure, it doesn’t, for example, have as many combos as, say, Tekken, but it’s still pretty impressive. Increasingly, of late, I’ve been getting impressed by mobile game releases – so long as I take them in their correct context.
Obviously, it would not be fair to compare them to PC games – not only are the hardware specifications of a completely different order of magnitude, but the usage model is also vastly different. Mobile games are generally a time-killer for when you’re waiting for something, or sitting on the loo (although I will show you just now that this is not always the case!), rather than something you spend an afternoon, evening, or entire weekend doing. So these games need to be consumable in small sessions measured in minutes rather than hours, and need to be easy to come back to at any time. Interestingly, this same factor also makes mobile games less suited to multiplayer, as when you have a few minutes to play, you want to spend those minutes playing, not looking for other players. This is ironic, as given that cell-phones are first and foremost communication and connection tools, it would seem to follow that implementing multiplayer functionality would be a natural progression. Well, this is definitely coming about, but not to the degree that people may, at first, expect, and not necessarily in the expected manner, either. Instead of live ‘versus’ games and the like, the most common way for connectivity to be implemented consists of high-score leader-boards and “ghosts” – recorded games that players can pit themselves against.
