Konami Europe enters mobile market

Software publisher Konami Europe has announced the creation of a dedicated mobile phone games division, with plans to bring key console conversions to more than 19 European countries in 2005.

Konami, which has ambitions of becoming a global leader in mobile content market, has already firmly established itself in Japan with mobile gaming portals such as Konami Net DX, which distributes more than 200 titles.

The company also provides content for Hong Kong and Taiwan and expanded its mobile operations in the US in 2003. Konami's mobile games business will now cover 46 independent European territories and the new division will assume responsibility for increasing distribution and developing markets in Africa, Oceania and the Middle East.

President of Konami Europe, Kunio Neo said: "We are looking forward to further improving our distribution network in our territories, thereby providing our customers with an exciting game experience through multiple, easy to access distribution channels."

The newly created Mobile Games Sales team will be overseen by account managers Dae-Yul Choi and Florian Stronk, working from the Konami Europe H.Q. in Frankfurt and reporting directly to Kunio Neo.

Console classics Frogger, Castlevania and Silent Scope will form part of the initial line-up, which will initially be available in 19 countries on the Vodafone Live! service. Several more titles will also be available on i-mode platforms in France and the Netherlands.

Mobile phone operator O2 will be launching i-mode for UK mobile phone users on October 1st, 2005. Although no official statement has been made regarding the specific involvement of the new Konami Mobile Games division, the company is listed by O2 as one of the brands who will be providing content in some form for the launch of the service. Konami was unavailable for comment at the time of writing.