Ideaworks3D launches Airplay 3.0 to boost 3D mobile gaming

When it comes to making mobile games, the biggest problems are the number of different handsets, and the fact that the majority of phones aren't powerful enough. Too often the result is a lot of not very interesting 2D platformers and topdown racing, shooting and puzzle games.

But according to ideaworks3D, the London-based company behind Need For Speed, The Sims 2 and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, that's all about to change.

One reason is the number phones that can handle fast 3D graphics is growing quickly – market analysts reckon the current figure of 135 million will have ballooned to over 430 million in four years time.

On its own, this won't help. There will still be hundreds of handsets, with different screensizes and specifications. This, however, is where ideaworks3D comes in. It claims its third generation Airplay technology will make all the difference.

In geektalk, Airplay 3.0 is a game development and deployment architecture that maintains a binary-compatible version of the same game across multiple runtime environments and handsets.

Right…

For you and me this translates to: a developer only needs to make one version of their mobile game and Airplay will automatically make sure it works on all the top-end phones, such as those that run the Symbian, Linux, and Windows Mobile operating systems, have 3D hardware, or use Qualcomm's BREW technology.

This means gamemakers can turn their brilliant designs into working products quicker and cheaper, and make more profit too. Hopefully this will also result in better, more interesting games for us to play.

"Platform fragmentation is the bane of the mobile games industry, leading to headache inducing costs and complexity for both developers and publishers," said Thor Gunnarsson of Ideaworks3D (pictured above), in a calm, reassuring tone. "By joining forces with ARM, we can now offer fast-acting relief from the pain of handset porting, and help developers and publishers focus on the real business of making great mobile games."

It's not the first time we've heard such promises from the mobile industry, but ideaworks3D's boast that it's created an all-in-one solution is as credible as any.

One reason for optimism is the new deals it's signed with companies such as Texas Instruments and ARM. The two companies design the silicon chips that power over 90 per cent of the mobiles in the world.

By working closely together, the three companies can maintain the compatibility of their technology. For example, Texas Instruments' new game platform is based on Airplay, meaning all phones using its OMAP technology, such as most Motorola phones, will be compatible. Similarly ARM's compiler, debugger and testing systems are integrated into Airplay, ensuring games will work well on all ARM chips.

One area of the technology we haven't heard any firm details about though is the claim Airplay can handle development for other handheld devices, such as Nintendo's DS, which uses two ARM chips, and Sony's PSP, which use special custom silicion.

We'll be chasing up answers from ideaworks3D later in the week when we talk to general manager Thor Gunnarsson, so watch this space.