14 DAY TRIAL // Nokia Siemens Networks was chosen by Maxis, a top Malaysian mobile operator, to integrate, host and deliver "Master of Maya" - a brand new interactive mobile game. Ready to be launched at the end of this month, the new game will allow subscribers to use their mobile devices and play online, competing against each other, via the Maxis network.
Created by Nokia Siemens Networks in collaboration with UFA / FremantleMedia, "Master of Maya" is the first trading card game in the world that expands the gaming adventure by letting players download additional cards and introduce them directly into the game. The downloads are made through Maxis' network and the costs for getting playing cards are charged by mobile billing. Nokia Siemens developed an extensive community website which has the role of promoting networking with other players, card trading and discussions regarding online strategy.
What exactly is "Master of Maya" about? By playing, you enter the ancient world of Mayas as a ruler who must achieve experience and power through interaction with other rulers. Different types of characters are in your team and those characters and their strategy can be changed using the available downloadable cards. Since there are hundreds of them, the multiplayer game can be easily varied. In order to play the game, you need a UMTS or a Java-capable GPRS mobile phone with adequate memory space. The gaming client can be downloaded from the Maxis WAP portal. After that, you only have to register to enter the online game and play with other users.
Maxis selected Nokia Siemens' offering because they can deliver a complete solution, from programming and integrating the game, to managing game and network related operations.
The companies involved in Master of Maya's release are confident that it's going to be a success. Tan Lay Han, head of consumer marketing at Maxis, said: "We expect 10,000 new subscribers to sign up for this game". Mr. Tan also mentioned that "Hotlink Warriors", an arcade-style fighting game launched by Maxis earlier this year, also attracted 10,000 players.
"We are very excited working with Maxis on this first commercial deployment of Master of Maya", declared Joe Doering, Head of the Asia South region at Nokia Siemens Networks. "The ability to rapidly deploy new and innovative services means that Maxis can positively surprise their customers, saves a considerable amount of time and money on investment and integration, and focus on delivering the highest quality mobile experience to its customers."
Maxis Communications Bhd is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and has at the moment 8.5 million customers, of which more than 500,000 are using Maxis' mobile gaming portal.