(1 November 2008 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Mobile handset maker Nokia has announced the availability of the latest Software Development Kit (SDK) for Snap Mobile, its end-to end solution for connected mobile gaming in Java(TM) technology.

The Snap Mobile SDK 2.2 provides developers with tools to make it significantly easier to create connected mobile games. New features include a game template, skinable user interface framework, support for J2SE and Bot API.

Nokia director, games strategy Jonathan Sharp says, "Nokia is committed to enhancing the mobile gaming experience and by adding these new elements to the SNAP Mobile SDK, we’re making it faster and easier for developers to add connected gaming elements to their games.

"Consumers expect more and more from their mobile games and this SDK will help developers deliver great Java games with superior connected gaming elements. We are working in close collaboration with our gaming partners to evolve the mobile gaming industry at large and together we can ensure that consumers get even better games."

The new game template provides a complete implementation for all required community functionality such as friends list and chat, with an interface that allows developers to either plug in existing game code, or to use as a basis for entirely new connected games. This template enables developers to concentrate on developing their game, not on the platform requirements, since most SNAP Mobile requirements are already in the game template.

With the user interface framework, developers can quickly manipulate a game’s look and feel with easy to change XML. The UI framework includes a clean separation of controller logic which makes it easy to use with developers’ existing UI frameworks.

For example, PopCap Games’ Chuzzle powered by Snap Mobile is now available with new connected elements that enable players to compete globally for high scores. PopCap took their existing Chuzzle game and used the Snap Mobile SDK 2.2 to quickly add connected functionality with only minimal redesign to the game’s user interface. This is PopCap’s first connected mobile game developed on a Nokia platform, with development ongoing for additional games expected to be available in 2009.

The SNAP Mobile SDK 2.2 also adds support for J2SE, enabling developers to design games with cross platform support. This means that SNAP Mobile games can also be created as a desktop applications or applets to run on PCs and web pages with the possibility to play against the same game’s mobile version. For example, the N-Gage title Reset Generation uses the SNAP Mobile support for J2SE to enable players to compete against each other from a webpage and from their Nokia device.

Nokia adds that the new Bot API helps developers deliver a better connected game experience as it guarantees that mobile players can find opponents online. If an opponent isn’t immediately found online, the system will match players with a server based AI so that they can play without having to wait for an opponent.