Games for cell phones are opening an entire new market for developers. One company, Riot Entertainment (www.riot-e.com) has a good start in the market with the exclusive handheld rights to The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Spider-Man and X-Men.

According to their research, more than a billion mobile phone users will be looking for new content from their mobile phones by 2002-2003. Approximately 40% of this market will look for entertainment, such as games etc.

Wireless games created by RIOT-E are promoted and co-branded in parallel with highly visible international media releases such as movies, TV-shows, sports events an other major media events with worldwide coverage. A variety of products will develop from simple SMS services to multiplayer experiences on a 3G platform during the lifespan of the rights.

Riot, funded by Nokia Ventures, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. and Softbank UK, among others, will develop "wireless entertainment features" to be available during the releases of the TLOTR movies (the company is also developing the interactive games). The wireless content is expected out any time and will be released in Europe, Asia and the U.S. According to the company, it's the first time branded entertainment is making its way to the wireless world in the U.S.

Their X-Men wireless game is already out and is currently available in Finland and the Philippines, and will next be released in France.

While playing the SMS game, the players' goal is to graduate from Xavier's School for Gifted Children. You advance by challenging other students to duels, and by dueling those who challenge you.
In the WAP game, players take the role of Professor X, the leader of the X-Men and you advance from continent to continent trying to save the world from the evil Magneto.

Spider-Man Punisher is also available in Finland and the Philippines and it's a combat-based game.
With each kill, players gain points. They gain more for cars, helicopters and boss enemies score more points.
Riot also offers a mobile text messaging version of Bridget Jones's Diary for Norwegian mobile users.