Mobile phone operator Orange is continuing its commitment to mobile gaming, with the formation of a dedicated games publishing division within the group which will focus on the development of exclusive franchises for the company.

The new division will mostly focus on massively multiplayer titles – described by the company as massively mobile multiplayer games, or MMMGs. Six of these ludicrously-acronymed titles have been commissioned to developers already, and will be delivered within the next twelve months.

Orange has also invested almost £2 million in a new server system designed to host these mobile multiplayer titles, which it says will enable it to develop a “games community platform”. Most importantly, it will enable a persistent online community – with league tables, instant messaging and chat services built into the gaming experience.

The move is a development of the wirefree gaming division of Orange, which was launched in January 2001. Gaming forms the core of Orange’s entertainment strategy, although other "life services" divisions also exist within the company.

© gamesindustry.biz