Mobile Mahjong

San Diego-based Mahjong Time, which provides software for the ancient Chinese game, will soon be delivering the tile action by mobile technology following a deal with specialist wireless technology firm Phantom Fiber. Under the terms of the deal, Phantom Fiber will receive an integration fee and will then share in the ongoing revenue generated from the mobile subscribers.

Mahjong Time spokesmen said the integration will allow the company to continue delivering the functionality, graphics and speed of its software platform and internet offering to over 1 000 different handset types. In addition, the mobile extension will also offer features like multiple game types and languages, practice play, and tournament play. The mobile product will operate on hundreds of device types including Java phones, Apple iPhone, Blackberry, Palm, Microsoft Pocket/PC and Smartphone based handheld devices from anywhere in the world.

“I think we all realize that the Asian market is a very mobile and technically savvy geographic area,” said William Sutjiadi, CEO of Mahjong Time. “We knew it was only a matter of time before we would have to provide a mobile solution.”

Jeff Halloran, Chairman & CEO of Phantom Fiber, commented, “This agreement has a number of benefits for Phantom Fiber. We recognize the magnitude of the Asian market and its passion for Mahjong. Extending the premier Mahjong platform to a mobile environment will extend Phantom Fiber’s reach into those markets. Our multi-user experience from the gaming space and our ability to support multiple languages also blends nicely with our technology.”

The partners will provide the game content in a number of formats. The player can play against the computer or fully interact with the online community. By using the same login credentials as the internet, a player can search for friends who may be playing online via the internet and join the same games and contests as any other internet player, only from their mobile device.

Mahjong Time was founded in 2004 to provide mahjong software and complete turnkey solutions. Its in-browser platform is available in seven languages and provides multiple mahjong rules sets that appeal to the needs of players worldwide with features that include advanced subscription and tournament play and Web 2.0 capabilities, allowing players to interact more effectively and create private player rooms. The company is the exclusive online tournament partner of the annual World Series of Mahjong and is involved in a strategic partnership with Cryptologic.