Phone games may be about to leap forward

The United States might finally dive seriously into the world of wireless phone gaming this year – and you could end up with a better phone and better games as a result.

Even though almost half of all U.S. gamers play on their phones, this country is far behind Europe and southeast Asia – especially Korea – when it comes to how many people play and what’s available.

But several wireless content publishers and analysts think that’s about to change. About 35 million to 45 million wireless devices currently are capable of playing games in the United States. Ifone, an entertainment publisher for wireless phones, thinks that number could triple by the end of the year.

Investment analysts, too, are gearing up for a surge in wireless gaming. They think manufacturers have had enough practice in other markets developing games we might like to play and handsets that are both powerful enough to display them and simple enough to use.

Sometimes, being behind to start means you end up in front. Take South Korea, one of the biggest wireless markets in the world. It became the global leader in gaming and wireless phones it is today in part because traditional telephone service there didn’t have the coverage it does in this country. So when wireless phones came along, people snapped them up in record numbers.

Now it’s the United States that’s behind the curve. Despite the fact that a lot of people use wireless phones, we didn’t jump on them like some markets. Europe, Japan and South Korea have left us in the dust in terms of what’s doable over wireless networks.

But because we’ve been so far behind, analysts now think we are the ones who can take a quantum leap to catch up. That means a lot more high-end handsets at reasonable prices, a lot more games to choose from and a lot more happy gamers on the road. Enjoy.

Gates says new Xbox is near

The next generation Xbox definitely will hit stores before the year’s end.

Microsoft’s Bill Gates told the Society of American Business Editors and Writers last week that the next ‘box – which most industry insiders expect to be called the Xbox 360 – will hit this year and include even more high-definition video than the current Xbox.

Gates said Microsoft is optimistic it can surpass Sony’s PlayStation juggernaut in the marketplace this time around.

‘Doom’ movie will star the Rock

Are you smelling what the Rock is, um, shooting?

Universal is putting out a movie based on id’s “Doom” video game series, and it’s confirmed that Dwayne Johnson, aka the Rock, will star as one of the marines sent to save a planet from an alien invasion.

The plot is mostly centered around “Doom 3,” and those who have played the PC and console game know that this means there will be plenty of swearing, much blood, fast-jumping aliens and not a lot of character development.

However, in an in-joke to watch for, one of the characters has been named after id Software lead programmer John Carmack.

It’ll hit theaters in October.

From console to concert hall

You knew it was only a matter of time, after the “Final Fantasy” orchestra concerts’ success, before the next event popped up.

It’s here. “Video Games Live” starts a national tour July 6 in Hollywood and includes several orchestras, choirs, video game footage, lasers, lights and live action.

It’s produced in part by the heavyweights at Clear Channel Music Group, so expect lots of ads when it gets close.

To find out about tour stops, keep an eye on www.videogameslive.com.