Written by Orange has revealed that they will be teaming up with media retailer HMV to launch a mobile gaming service that will allow customers access to HMV’s catalogue of mobile games, music, films and live events.
The Orange-powered HMV mobile games service will be available to customers on any network and will be available to use on more than 1,000 handsets with Java capabilities.
Orange have said that this is the first service of its kind to ever be offered by a mobile operator and will offer a new dimension to mobile gaming.
Customers who want to sign up for the service will need to text ‘HMV’ to 87010 and they will then receive a text message with a link in it, which they must follow to access the site.
The new mobile gaming site will also have reviews and previews of the latest mobile game releases as well as demos which are free to download, and the full games will also be available to buy.
Customers will have access to a library containing more than 400 mobile games and will also have access to the latest releases.
Games to be available on the mobile gaming site include Fifa manager and Call of Duty as well as classic games such as Tetris and Pac-man. Games will range from £1 for older games and cost up to £5 for new releases and you will also be able to test out free demos before you buy.
Orange customers will be billed directly for using the mobile gaming service but customers on other networks will have to use the ‘Pay For It’ system where they just pay every time they purchase a new game.
An HMV spokesman said on Wednesday: “HMVs strategy is to become an entertainment hub rather than just a high street retailer.
“Music, film and games are key channels and we will be promoting the brand via these media, so there is a natural overlap between Orange and HMV’s brands, “he said.
Orange and HMV are also currently investigating making use of HMV’s recent acquisition of the Mama Group which owns many major music venues, such as the Hammersmith Apollo, all over the UK. This could be serious competition for O2, who already have their own music venue sponsorships, but now Orange look set to infringe on their territory with their new project.
