Techmo develops "ghostly" camera phone game

Video games developer Tecmo has been showing early versions of REAL Another Edition, a camera phone game that analyzes a photo taken with a camera phone and creates an appropriate ghost image (see left), according to an article in IGN.

The game already is available in Japan (see below) where users may print photos of people with spirits next to them.

In the United States, though, the game hasn't been released, perhaps waiting for more advanced cellular phones.

Comments

[MediaGuru]

Nar, lack of advanced cameraphones isn't the problem. There are already a stack load of MMS capable color screen devices from most operators. This application could run easily, just send photos to a number and get them back after the processing on a server.
The problem is most likely the lack of vision on the US operator side to deliver applications like these and/or have the infrastructure so that the publisher can make money from them easily - key word is 'easily'. Take for example this ghost-viewer application: The best transport system for this would probably be MMS. But I would need to have a number to which people would send the photo. Ideally, a short code like 1234 or 7777. The Operator would have to give that to me (probably for a fee). Then I'd need some way to charge for the service. The obvious way is to put it on the phone bill as a charge. This too would need me to work with the operator to get that. Then how about advertising? That also would be great to have in the monthly bill but the operator is involved there too. Add it all up and unless you've got great contacts with the operator, sayonara baby! Plus multiply that by 300 for all the other wannabe MMS application providers out there and you've got some serious support work on your hands if you are an Operator. In Japan they have a successful system that works - iMode. However, in my opinion, it isn't just about having a groovy back end that'll make it a success. You need to cultivate and mature the market and have applications that apply to the customer. The ghost in the picture game ties into a general Japanese cultural interest in ghosty type themes. For Americans it might be something else (unless it's halloween). I'm not sure what but there's a stack load of chicken-and-egg issues out there right now.