Today SINA, China’s leading online media company, announced that they have joined as a sponsor in Nokia’s ongoing mobile multiplayer games competition to support the global search for new game developer talent and bring a new breed of innovative, connected mobile games to the Chinese market. As a result of SINA joining the competition, Nokia announced that the deadline for accepting mobile game concepts based on the SNAP Mobile platform has been extended to September 24. Selected concepts based on SNAP Mobile will receive free development support and preparation for market deployment.

"SINA will provide the winners of the multiplayer competition with a fast track opportunity to distribute games in China. This competition encourages developers and publishers to raise the bar on mobile game innovation, and developers located anywhere in the world, can compete," said Terry Tian, Network Business Dept Director, SINA. "We are keen to add more SNAP Mobile based games to our portfolio, and see this competition as a unique way to speed deployment of innovative games to market."

Antoine Doumenc, head of SNAP Mobile, continued, "Based on our experience, many game developers and publishers are lacking global channels to bring their best innovative, connected mobile games to market. With SINA joining there will be attractive distribution channels in China. SINA offers a rare chance for developers to gain access to one of the largest mobile markets in the world. Together with the publicity that winners will receive in Mobile Game Development Magazine, among other great prizes, and this all cooks up into one attractive contest."

Developers interested in joining the Mobile Rules! Multiplayer Competition and receiving free developer support should submit concepts based on SNAP Mobile by September 24. Beta versions of multiplayer games based on any platform can also be submitted by January 25, 2008 as long as they include fully working multiplayer gaming functionality and backend technology. More details on the competition, prizes, and submission form can be found at www.mobilerules.org/multiplayer.