The number of U.S. wireless subscribers with compatible handsets who played games on their cell phones increased from 20 percent last year to 27 percent in 2005, according to a survey of 8,500 subscribers conducted by market research firm NPD Group. However, only one-third of these mobile gamers actually purchased game downloads; the rest played free games or titles that came pre-loaded on their phones. The most common motivation cited among respondents for playing mobile games was "to kill time or alleviate boredom," with the average gaming session lasting 11 minutes. The survey found more kids between the ages of 13 and 17 (60 percent) said they played mobile games than did adults (23 percent), while mobile gamers were twice as likely to be African-American, Hispanic or Asian. "The world of mobile gaming is like the Wild West," said NPD Group vice president Clint Wheelock. "In this time of rapid growth, and with the industry in such a formative stage, it's especially important for wireless operators and game publishers to understand the mindsets of mobile gamers, in order to best position themselves for long-term success."
Try to imagine this scenario, that General Motors and Ford were given exclusive franchises to build America's interstate highway system, and also all the highways that connect local communities. Now imagine that, based upon a financial crisis, these troubled companies decided to convert all "their" local arteries into toll-roads -- they then use incremental toll fees to severely limit all travel to and from small businesses. Why? This handicapping process reduced the need to invest in building better new roads, or repairing the dilapidated ones. But, wouldn't that short-sighted decision have a detrimental impact on the overall national economy? It's a moot point -- pure fantasy -- you say. The U.S. political leadership would never knowingly risk the nation's social and economic future on the financial viability of a restrictive duopoly. Or, would they? The 21st century Global Networked Economy travels across essential broadband infrastructure. The forced intr...