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Bluetooth, GSM, and Gameboy

Posted by Hemos on from the advancing-the-boy dept.

brnsurgon1 writes ""The aim of the project was to investigate mobile gaming over GSM- and Bluetooth- networks, by developing a concept prototype, connecting a Gameboy to a mobile phone over Bluetooth. The results show that it is possible to connect two Gameboy Color over a GSM network by connecting to the phone using the Bluetooth plugin we developed for the Gameboy."" A couple other have submitted this story - it looks interesting. But, heck, I'm still trying to finish Golden Sun on my GBA.

13 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. GPRS gaming by nordicfrost · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I love my Ericsson T68i (i is for "Intercooler"...) It has the classic game Naval Fleet, where you try to sink the opponents boats by guessing where they are. This game can be played by one player, vs the computer, two players on the same phone, or with another player connected vi IR or Bluetooth. Now, this is cool and all, but why not connect players via GPRS? GPRS is based on who much traffic (in MB) you transfer so a game of Naval Fleet shouldn't cost that much. Too bad Ericsson didn't include GPRS gameing instead of just posting the highscores via GPRS.

    1. Re:GPRS gaming by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful
      GPRS is based on [how] much traffic (in MB) you transfer so a game of Naval Fleet shouldn't cost that much.

      It looks like some phone companies have decided to charge for GPRS access based on time, not on volume of traffic. This is not very wise, but that's a fact that some users have to live with. So for them, the costs of a game would probably be quite high.

    2. Re:GPRS gaming by Rouven · · Score: 5, Informative

      My company has developed the GPRS-based Chess game that comes bundled with the O2xda (essentially the same as the T-Mobile Pocket PC in the U.S.). It works extremely well, using connectionless UDP via GPRS packets. The game only sends tiny little packets when you chat or make a move, and as far as we have seen there is not even packet loss on a GPRS network. The costs boil down to about 1 EUR/US$ per hour of play. The only problem is that the device still costs EUR 500.-, so it's not really a mass market product. But expect things to change, my guess is that there will be plenty of multiplayer mobile games by summer, at least here in Europe.

    3. Re:GPRS gaming by ardiri · · Score: 3, Informative

      > It looks like some phone companies have decided to charge for GPRS access based on time, not on volume of traffic.

      thats bad. very bad.

      first, it is important to understanding how GPRS works. telco's will put higher precedence over voice calls than GPRS calls - so, if the network is full, they will disconnect GPRS connections to allow voice connections to go through (this, depends on the network of course - but, when you understand more money can be made from voice calls - its obvious).

      paying by the minute for a GPRS connection is stupid. the whole idea with GPRS was to stay connected at all times, and, receive data as soon as it was available; when i tested GPRS way back in 2000, it was cool to be able to ride the subway/bus to work, and, continue to icq my buddies (sad, i know; but it had a geek factor to it *g*).

      the second problem with GPRS is that although there may be more bandwidth available - its a common misconception that in reality, you are actually sharing bandwidth with others. that means, if 10 people are sharing a 144kbps line, your connection may effectively be 14kbps. keep in mind that normal GSM phone call you pay by the minute, but, your guarenteed a connection of 9600bps. while doing tests with GPRS and GSM, i found, when in congested areas - i got better transfer rates with GSM (dialing isp) than GPRS. it isn't hard to do the math and figure out at which point GPRS actually becomes slower than using GSM.

      the true fun will come when they can stablise UMTS. but, that is well overdue - constant delays, hmm.. i wonder why?

  2. Nintendo and Motorola by borgdows · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Motorola works on an 802.11 wireless gaming system, developed with input from Nintendo, that will serve for future wireless gaming systems.

    I can't wait for the GBA/net .. wow

  3. Re:gameboy advance sp by Tha_Zanthrax · · Score: 3, Informative

    can i connect a gb advance sp with a normal gb advance or a gb color?
    Why not? it's the same device in a different case.

  4. Interesting, but not really new... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Did anybody notice that the thesis was done in 2000 and the last update to the page was two years ago?

    It is interesting anyway because the thesis contains all the diagrams and explanations needed for building your own interfaces. But this is not really new...

  5. Re:GPRS gaming - we did it for free by Suchetha · · Score: 3, Funny

    ahh the advances in technology.. we used to play Battleship for free...
    Paper torn from note boook : $0
    Chewed up pencil : $0
    Yelling co-ordinates to your opponent : $0

    Ruling the Seas during detention : Priceless

    Suchetha

    <and we didnt have 802.11b destroyers either>

    --

    learn from yesterday, plan for tomorrow, party tonight
    or one out of three ain't bad
  6. Nokia and Sega by horcy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I cant wait for Nokia's/Sega's N-Gage. This will be
    a mobile phone where you can shove in tiny
    cartridges with games developed by Sega.
    That will own. They want to compete with Nintendo's
    GBA. I hope this will end Nintendo's
    monopoly on the handheld market.

    --
    Check my site: http://pixel.pagina.nl
    1. Re:Nokia and Sega by ThundaGaiden · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I have a GBA and just recently bought a few new
      games , I now have Doom and a Diablo type LotR's
      game which are both amamzing.

      I really don't mind Nintendo having a
      monopoly in the handheld market at the moment,
      They haven't abused it , the games are reasonably
      priced and the acutal unit is really cheap

      But if the N-Gage has a backlight , I'll sign on
      with it.

      One problem I do have is that these multipurpose devices usually have a heavy premium and some of the functions are underpowered or missing to make space for the other stuff

    2. Re:Nokia and Sega by Aronymous+Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Sega has no hand in the design, manufacture, or sale of the yet-to-be-released N-gage hardware. All the PR you've been seeing is from the one press release that Sega sent out announcing that they would produce games for the thing. Talk about lending credibility.

      Along that line of thinking, I will keep playing Nintendo's/Capcom's/Konami's/Namco's/Sega's Gameboy Advance for now. Nintendo may have a monopoly in handheld games, but the market thrives regardless. Current generation of GB hardware AND games are cheap, numerous, high-quality. Add a phone to the mix, and you create a more sophisticated phone, not a better game system (and definitely not an inexpensive or universally-accessible one). Bah, whatever. In the games industry it's always fun to watch what companies are willing to try what.

  7. There's another company... by Kalewa · · Score: 5, Informative

    ...that's doing bluetooth on the GBA, but for a lot more than playing games. Their "edutainment" angle makes me suspicious, but they've got some interesting looking features.

  8. And a slashdot story of another... by Aronymous+Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    GBA Getting Bluetooth

    Story's about a year old, about a company trying to use bluetooth on GBA, with bluetooth hotspots in malls and other public areas.