Use of a desktop computer for gaming is only one way to access a game in progress. More and more consumers want to take access to their gaming opportunities with them wherever they go. While there are independent handheld gaming devices, consumers want the excitement of playing against unpredictable human opponents rather than a computer. As a result, they are increasingly turning to their mobile phones to play games against live people.

Over 80% of cell phones activated in the US are currently GSM phones capable of supporting downloadable games, as the older analog systems will be phased out by 2007. With annual subscriber growth averaging 186 million worldwide, according to Cellular News, worldwide cell phone subscribers are expected to total two billion by 2007.

According to Mobile Consumer Data & Multimedia Services, 78.6 million wireless subscribers in the US alone will play mobile games by 2009. Gaming downloads will increase more than tenfold from 2003 levels. Strategy Analytics expects that active users of downloadable games will grow to 220 million globally in 2009. In-Stat/MDR estimates that mobile gaming services in the U.S. will generate $1.8 billion annually by 2009, when 78.6 million wireless subscribers will play mobile games.