'Known' titles equate to better mobile game sales

When it comes to predicting what it takes to make a successful mobile game, there is no exact formula. However, it seems as if "known" titles, or games that already have a track record in console form and have enormous name recognition with subscribers, tend to do the best. That's one of the reasons the mobile version of Tetris has always topped the mobile game charts.

Hands On Mobile's latest mobile game, Guitar Hero, seems to be following that path. The game, which launched on Verizon Wireless in early December 2007, quickly rose up to the top of the charts and in January it became the No. 1 top seller on Verizon's deck, beating long-time winner Tetris.

JJ Leichleiter, senior product manager at Hands On Mobile, says that not only is Guitar Hero's success attributed to the game's phenomenal popularity in console form, it also has to do with the way Hands On finessed the game for mobile. For example, the company made some audio mixing advances so that high-end BREW handsets offered by Verizon could have multiple audio tracks including one dedicated guitar track.

The company also continually updates the music track for the game so every month subscribers get three new songs added to the original selection of 15 games. "That's driving people to come back," Leichleiter says.

Obviously, successful mobile games such as Guitar Hero don't come along every day, but mobile game publishers can learn from its success. Name recognition, compelling game play and special features that make players come back time and again are some of elements that seem to spell success.  -Sue