ARCHIVES: This is legacy content from before Marketing Dive acquired Mobile Marketer in early 2017. Some information, such as publication dates, may not have migrated over. Check out the new Marketing Dive site for the latest marketing news.

CBS, Gameloft use real phone calls for CSI mobile game

Gameloft has released "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - The Mobile Game," based on the CBS television series and in line with a growing trend to replicate popular programs on mobile.

The game allows players to investigate Las Vegas and includes an optional level of interactivity where characters in the game place phone calls to players to help them with their sleuthing.

"This is the first mobile game that is truly interactive in the sense that the player receives an actual phone call from the characters in the game that provides them clues to get to the next level," said Sanette Chao, director of public relations at Gameloft, New York.

Gameloft is an international publisher and developer of video games for mobile phones. The company creates games for mobile handsets equipped with Java, Brew or Symbian technology.

"For the mobile game, we wanted think outside of the box and really involve the player in solving the crime, so the call-back feature was a natural element to include in the game," Ms. Chao said.

The game plot was created by CBS Mobile and CSI Series creator Anthony E. Zuiker to keep the storytelling style authentic to the show.

When gamers signs up they have the option of activating the interactive phone call feature; if activated, they receive a specialized call during the game for clues and tips that lead them to new crime scenes.

The mobile game also includes detailed locations, interrogations, 3-D views of evidence and laboratory mini-games to help solve crimes.

"The previous CSI game, CSI Miami, did really well for us, so we anticipate that CSI: Crime Scene Investigation will follow the same path, especially with the added call-back feature," Ms. Chao said.

"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - The Mobile Game" is available on most U.S. carriers. A version of the CSI game will be available internationally, though it will have slightly different features.

"In terms of what is next, we are very excited with the SDK package from iPhone and look forward to developing 15 titles for the iPhone," Ms. Chao said.