G-mode adds content to O2's i-mode service

Online games content provider G-mode has signed an agreement with O2, to provide games content for the company's i-mode service, which launched in the UK this month.

G-mode began its content provision under the new deal with seven downloadable games, including a version of the number placing puzzle game, Soduku, which has proven exceptionally popular in the UK in recent months. The company has also released a rally game, several arcade-style platform games and a chess game, which it hopes to further develop in the near future to incorporate connected play between gamers in the UK, Japan and France. G-mode games also offer customers the chance to win free wallpapers and icons for their mobile.

Founded in 2000, G-mode provides a selection of mobile games and connected gaming across Japanese, Korean and additional worldwide territories. The new agreement with O2 extends G-mode's relationships with major mobile operators, which currently includes long-term content deals on EZweb and the Vodafone Live! network.

The company has distributed games through Japanese mobile phone operator NTT DoCoMo since 1991, increasing its operations in 1999 when NTT DoCoMo launched its i-mode service. I-mode utilises compact HTML coding similar to that of traditional fixed internet sites to provide a fast-access, high speed alternative to WAP for mobile internet.

O2, the UK's largest mobile operator, is the exclusive provider of i-mode in the UK, and has already established an impressive list of dedicated content providers. The service offers multiple gaming, news, financial and entertainment services, in addition to select secure purchases from retail partners including lastminute.com and I Want One of These. Location-based services and further content partnerships are expected to be announced in November.

All content providers for O2 i-mode will provide a selection of free, pay-per-download and subscription-based services. In a bid to simplify the billing process and encourage customers to try a variety of services available through i-mode, O2 has set a maximum limit of GBP 3.00 per month for subscription services.