Yahoo Inc. says it has acquired technology to take its popular Web-based parlor and card games from personal computers to mobile devices.
In a deal announced Friday, Yahoo said it will integrate technology from New Jersey-based Stadeon, Inc. to permit multiplayer games across multiple platforms. Terms of the acquisition weren't disclosed.
It means that someone on their cell phone could play dominoes in real time against a friend playing the same Yahoo game on a PC. Likewise, two cell phone users on different service providers could compete against each other.
"It provides a seamless experience so that somebody on the Web can't even tell they're playing against somebody on the phone," said Geoff Graber, general manager of Yahoo Games.
Yahoo has been increasing its presence in the emerging mobile game market, which saw estimated U.S. revenues of about $204 million in 2004, according to In-Stat/MDR, a market research firm.
The company recently launched a mobile games studio to develop casual multiplayer titles. Currently, six games are available for Verizon Wireless customers, but Graber said there are plans to make them available for other major U.S. carriers.
