Keen to make an impression on the App Store's ever expanding market, Orange has announced it is to launch a series of games on the service under the Orange iPhone Games banner.
The new brand forms part of a three-way assault on the mobile gaming market.
Orange has also signed up for Playtomo - the social gaming service from French mobile games firm C4M that allows customers to play free games, and a subscription based service called Games Zone.
Happy on the App Store
According to Orange, its App Store line-up will either be designed specifically or published by the operator for its UK based customers, with "off-road racing, a selection of card games such as Blackjack and Poker" earmarked for release from this April.
"This is an exciting time for Orange, with the launch of these new mobile gaming offerings forming a key part of our strategy to evolve our business through entertainment," said head of gaming products and services Neil Holroyd.
That strategy appears to involve mirroring already established models. Playtomo which launched today - promotes its line-up by encouraging gamers to link their activities with their Facebook account.
Playtomo to you
"Playtomo integrates directly into social networks so users can share their scores, points and challenge their friends to get involved," Orange said in a statement.
"Contact lists are easily imported to the service so friends can be invited to join in the fun from any UK phone operator."
Its paid for alternative, Games Zone, will cost users £5 a month when it makes it debut on March 31st.
For that price consumers will be able to pick up two free titles a month, as well as a further 20 percent discount on any other games they purchase.
In-store outlets
Holroyd added, "Innovative gaming services such as Playtomo and Games Zone give customers the best possible gaming experience and value for money on their mobile phone, while enabling us to develop our offering and maintain our lead as the number one gaming operator in the UK."
All three developments form part of a much wider strategy to increase Orange's influence within the mobile gaming sector.
The carrier already has concessions in both HMV and ASDA outlets in the UK, and Orange also launched a Java game network with the entertainment retailer earlier this month.
[source: Orange]
News
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Related Articles
Top Stories
News
1 hour, 4 minutes ago
AppLovin revenue surges 48% Y/Y to $1bn in Q1 as it eyes non-gaming growth
News
1 hour, 44 minutes ago
The top 10 reasons you can't afford to miss Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki
Feature
2 hours, 14 minutes ago
Hot Five: Dubai's new Gaming Visa, April's mobile game charts, and Xbox studio closures
News
May 10th, 2024
Week in Views - Xbox's mobile games store is doomed to fail, Sonic meets the Angry Birds, and Apple's iPad problem
Events
Valencia Indie Summit 2024 | Europe | May 16th |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 16th |
Digital Dragons | Europe | May 19th |
GamesBeat Summit 2024 | North America | May 20th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Nordic Game Spring 2024 | Nordic | May 21st |
Impact 2024 - Indie Games | May 23rd | |
MomoCon 2024 | North America | May 24th |