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Nithya Subramanian

New Delhi , Oct 21

HERE is an Olympic Games for the geeks. For mobile gamers in India, the World Mobile Gaming championships has been included this year as part of the World Cyber Games providing an opportunity to take on the best in the world.

In India, Airtel is giving its subscribers the platform to compete in the mobile gaming championship to be held in Singapore next month. According to Mr Mohit Bhatnagar, Senior Vice-President, Value Added Services and Alliances, Bharti Televentures Ltd, "In India the penetration of computers is still very low in comparison to mobile phones. We are looking at the association with the Games as a long-term investment."

Four games have been given the official status by World Cyber Games committee - Bruce Lee, Chopper Rescue, Goolie and Microsoft Midtown Madness 3.

The user can participate in as many games as they want. If a gamer becomes a finalist in more than one game, he or she can only represent one game of his/her choice.

While Airtel is the service provider from India, Australia's Optus, Singapore's Singtel, USA's - 9 square and some others are providing access to the competition in different markets.

For Airtel, this is also a revenue-generating proposition. Mr Bhatnagar said that a gamer would have to make a one-time payment of Rs 50 for downloading a game, which he can play as many times as he wishes. "However, when the gamer submits a score to Airtel, he will be charged Rs 10. And the top scorer in each game will be sent to compete in the world championship," he added.

The telecom service provider claims that it has received over 15,000 of entries in the first seven days itself. Currently, this is popular amongst the youth in the 15-22 years age bracket, especially in the Top 100-150 cities and towns of India.

The mobile gaming industry is gradually on the rise. Currently the total gaming market in India is pegged around Rs 45 crore and set to explode in the next two years and reach a projected market of Rs 200 crore by end of 2007. Today, India has approximately two lakh active gamers.

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