New Stuff -- The Mobile Games Interoperability Forum on Monday released its new specifications for mobile phone companies to follow to address problems associated with Java-based mobile games that must be re-written to run on different handsets. Paul Goode, a Motorola employee and the chairman of the MGIF, said interoperability issues have plagued the mobile gaming industry. "Since its inception, mobile gaming has been fragmented because of a lack of standards and a plethora of portability and interoperability issues," he said. "This specification is about lowering the technical barriers so that the entertainment industry can exploit the great potential of mobile phones as a channel to market."
Makin' Deals -- CYOP Systems International Inc. has made a deal with Troma Networks Inc. to provide its skill-based, pay-for-play gaming software to Troma's sites, which include www.troma.com, www.tromaville.com and www.newgrounds.com. Troma bills itself as an independent movie studio and says it has produced such titles as the Toxic Avenger series. ... King Solomon's Casino, an online casino operating out of Kahnawake, Quebec, said today that it has signed a sponsorship agreement with Dan "The Beast" Severn of the Ultimate Fighting Championships. Dominic Mansour, a marketing consultant for the casino, said it's a match made in heaven. "The pugilistic arts have a long association with the gaming world, and we feel this promotion will be an ideal vehicle with which to create a memorable impression with our audience." ... Chimera Technology Corp. has completed its acquisition of 724Bingo.com, which specializes in developing Internet gambling software. Chimera also said today that it is appointing Ken Chua as president and CEO.
TV Appearance -- PartyPoker.com will host the second semi-final competition for the "PartyPoker.com Million II" tournament from Nov. 21-24 on the Internet. Players will be competing to win spots in the final competition, which will take place on a Caribbean cruise and will feature a $1.5 million prize pool. On Oct. 26, the Travel Channel will show footage from last year's PartyPoker.com Million I tournament, which took place on a cruise last March.