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Sprint to Expand This Summer's Wireless Gaming Lineup with J2ME

Sprint to Expand This Summer's Wireless Gaming Lineup with J2ME

(May 23, 2002) - Mobile gaming is about to explode. Sprint plans to bring mobile entertainment to the next level, utilizing J2METM to offer a superior gaming experience. The mobility of Sprint's PCS Phones combined with the enhanced speeds and graphics of Third-Generation (3G) technology means more gamers will be grabbing excitement on the go. Sprint's 3G1X services are planned to launch nationwide this summer.

The most innovative 3G games will utilize J2METM, enabling advanced graphics and personalized interactive services for wireless devices. With J2METM technology, Sprint will make devices smarter, so consumers may download interactive applications to their wireless device regardless of location. Another advantage of J2METM technology is that it allows consumers to upgrade the applications on a device once it has been purchased.

Companies that have entered agreements to provide 3G game content to Sprint include Sega, THQ, Midway Games, Cybiko, JAMDAT Mobile, nGame and Blue Lava Wireless. THQ titles will include Astrosmash!, WWE Mobile MadnessTM, Snood®, MotoGP, and Skiing.

Sega Mobile will bring one of the first full-color mobile games to Sprint customers with the launch of Monkey Ball. Plans include bringing Sprint customers additional Sega games, including classics such as Pengo and Monaco GP.

CyRace, Golden Tee, and Blazing Boards will hit gamers on the go as Sprint and Cybiko team up. Midway Games Inc. plans to use J2ME to develop 3G game versions of DefenderTM Kick ChampionTM and MahkiTM. Blue Lava Wireless plans to launch versions of Tetris optimized for Sprint's 3G phones.

The 3G games that nGame promises include SLAM! and Top Gun. JAMDAT Mobile Inc. has agreed to provide EA SPORTSTM Tiger Woods PGA TOURTM Golf, JAMDAT Solitaire, JAMDAT Football, JAMDAT Baseball, JAMDAT Bowling, and Diamond Mine.

Computer/electronic games have become a major industry that continues to grow in popularity. Research firm NPD Group says retails sales of video games, including hardware, software and accessories, reached a record $9.4 billion in 2001, up 42 percent from the previous year's sales. Forrester Research predicts that the U.S. video games market will grow to $29 billion by 2005.

Research firm DataMonitor predicts that 93 million people will be playing wireless games in 2006 - up from 21.6 million people in 2001. With mobile phone ownership rising, games will be able to reach players like never before.

Sprint was the first wireless carrier to launch wireless games in October 2000 and currently offers more than 60 games. As Sprint's 3G services evolve, the capabilities of wireless games will also evolve: customers can expect more complex, color graphics, and eventually 3D graphics. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/mr.

About J2ME News Desk

J2ME News Desk bring occasional brief news of the latest deployments Java technology in mobile phones worldwide.

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