December 22, 2004
Fun & Downloads: The ultimate place to be with your application

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This fall has been busy for Sony Ericsson Developer World and some of its close partners. The launch of many new J2ME MIDP 2.0 and Java 3D phones has increased the demand for extended offerings in the form of new 2D and 3D content via Fun & Downloads. Working with partners to make this happen has been an important and stimulating activity for the Sony Ericsson Developer World team.

The Fun & Downloads section of Sony Ericsson's global website www.SonyEricsson.com/fun offers consumers both free and commercial games as well as other branded campaign content. This is the place where Sony Ericsson publishes the applications and content from developers and publishers with whom it has distribution agreements. With a focus on fun and entertainment, Fun & Downloads contains selected high-quality pictures, wallpapers, themes, ringtones and games for Sony Ericsson's mass-market phones. Fun & Downloads is only available to selected partners in the entertainment area.

In the past few months, a whole range of exciting, new 2D game titles have been added to Fun & Downloads. They're from well-known development partners such as Gameloft, Sumea/Digital Chocolate, Macrospace, Telcogames, Global Fun, Living Mobile and Elkware. There are even examples of smaller game developers like Infraworlds and its game Edge Rally popping up among the top downloads.

With the introduction of its new range of Java 3D phones this year, Sony Ericsson has increased its activities to launch a number of game titles based on this emerging technology. Sony Ericsson believes Java 3D will be the driving force for mobile gaming and entertainment during the next few years. Fun & Downloads has received 3D games from key partners such as Gameloft, Sumea/Digital Chocolate and Mitsui.

The initiatives in the Java 3D area have already started to pay off. Consumers have begun to discover the game-play appeal of 3D, and Sony Ericsson can already see that the new Java 3D titles are generating more downloads than many 2D games. There is also a significant increase in the number of downloads partners are given special visibility (promotional space) on the first page of Fun & Downloads. Sony Ericsson is planning various consumer promotions for Fun & Downloads and its mobile extension, the PlayNow link on phones, during 2005.

The 2D game market is already mature, so there is big potential for early starters in Java 3D game development. Sony Ericsson is now looking for potential partners for its Fun & Downloads offerings, and is interested in serious developers with developed Java 3D games or games in the pipeline that need a little help going the last mile. Send a description of your 3D game and your company to developers@SonyEricsson.com if you would like to be considered for this unique opportunity. Your company and the potential of your game will be evaluated by a Sony Ericsson Developer World Partner Manager.

The criteria for evaluation is that the game needs to be developed using the Mascot Capsule Micro3D version 3 API's or JSR-184. We suggest that you check out some of the resources below in order to get started or to complete your game for a Sony Ericsson phone.

• Sony Ericsson J2ME SDK including Java 3D API's, Developers' Guidelines etc
• Special Interest paper on Java 3D>>
• Java Tips, Tricks & Code>>
• Visit Fun & Downloads>>