One of the newest installments in the Kingdom Hearts series is one that will be released on mobile phones. The concept of such a game is convenient, yet slightly far-fetched. It is convenient due to the fact that most people have a cell phone- which allows one to play the game in the car (assuming, of course that one is not playing while driving), while waiting for someone, or the train, or at one’s leisure. The only reason that the game may be considered “far-fetched” is because the game is contained on the same device that one uses to communicate with others. While the idea of having this game on a cell phone is very desirable, one must consider a few things; how the controls will work, how much memory it will take up, and how much it will cost.

Let’s start with the controls. Let’s face it: the majority of cell phones owned do not have a touch screen, which might not be the ideal phone to have a Kingdom Hearts game on. Since most phones either flip or slide to reveal the number pad, it must be assumed that the controls will exist within the number buttons. The standard directional controls will be there (up-2, down 5 or 8, left-4, right-6) leaving the 1, 3, 7, and 9 open for any other control. Since these will most likely be the controls for Coded, it can be assumed that there will be no menu, and if there is no menu, there will be no magic. However, if the phone is on a phone similar to the Sidekick from T-Mobile, then more options are available. The phone will have a D-Pad built in as well as other buttons that will make the possibility of playing this game even greater. According to Square, the game will be developed using 2-D and 3-D graphics, which means that the game will come out on both types of phones; those suitable for gaming and the more-common phones.

We also must consider how much memory this game will take up on a mobile device. Before we go too deep into this subject, there is one fact that must be pointed out; most of the phones being developed have an expansion slot for a very small memory card. The reason that this is important is because it seems very unlikely that Coded will be a file less than 2 MB in size. One reason for this being a problem is that most mobile providers charge for MB transfers (X per YMB, X being a certain predetermined amount of money and Y being a specific previously decided amount of data). The solution for this is for square to release a chip, similar to a microSD memory card, which will contain the game. Either that or make it available to consumers via internet download. The problem with the latter, of course, is piracy.

Finally, cost will be the major point that many people will consider as the look forward to this game. If it is too much, then many people won’t want to buy it. If it is too low, then Square might be losing money per megabyte. If the game is available via mobile download, then it will make sense to have a lower price, but if the game is put on a card that will be placed inside an extension slot, then packaging, shipping, and production costs will be added to the price.

At this time, we know little about how Coded will be played, how much Coded will cost, and what kind of phones will be able to support Coded. However the game works, it will be interesting to see. After all, Nomura stated that “Coded is going to be released under a new business model, something that the industry hasn’t seen before.” For better or worse, it will still be Kingdom Hearts.

Written by Kyo.