New Delhi (PTI): Indian mythology has not only inspired films and television soaps over decades, it is now a much sought-after theme for mobile games.

Mobile entertainment company Nazara Technologies has launched a game that can be played on the new generation iPhone and yet to be launched 3G services phone.

Based on Mahabharata's Eklavya, the 2D game is available on J2ME and Brew platforms and portrays original incidents from the epic and gives an opportunity to gamers to know more about Indian mythology and heritage.

"Mythological content is much acceptable in the market. Mobile as a gaming device is gaining popularity in our country. Through a series of mythological games we intend to reach out to larger audience and grab a larger chunk of the growing mobile gaming industry," says Nazara Technologies CEO Nitish Mittersain.

"The game we have just launched is a journey into epic Indian mythology. We are excited to bring this game to the Indian market. The game is made in 2D which is easily supported by most of the handsets and targeted across all age groups," Mittersain told PTI.

Titled 'Gurubhakta Ekalavya', the game is about the prince who once rejected by his Guru learnt archery in the presence of a clay image of Drona.

"The user, in the game, will be instructed by a clay statue of Drona which will give the user targets to achieve in a level. The game has been provided with an interactive screen, where the guru talks to the student through the various stages of the game. It has 12 levels which depict the story of Eklavya incorporating incidents from Eklavya's life.

The game takes close to an hour for a player to go through all levels," Mittersain says.

The company plans to launch a series of games based on Indian epics and heritage on the mobile platform. It is already working on 10 titles including Mahabharata, Ramayana, Panchtantra and Akbar Birbal to name a few.

Mobile content and gaming companies are now tapping the target audience who show interest in mythology and epics.

According to trade circles the mobile gaming market is expected to reach USD 336 million by 2009.

"The penetration of cell phones in India is higher compared to personal computers, hence more people are likely to get their first gaming experience on a cell phone.

Moreover, a large proportion of youth are keen to try out new games. Cellular service providers have capitalized on the popularity of mobile gaming in order to attract more subscribers by offering games for download through their websites," Mittersain says.

With the roll out of 3G services in the country, more companies are likely to get into the scene.

"We have no immediate plan to launch a mythology-based mobile game. But in the long-term, we may consider developing a Mahabharata game, especially after successful roll out of 3G service," says Ravi Kumar, country manager (India) of Gameloft.

"Roll out of 3G services will enable us to offer rich games to Indian consumers. Also we will like to offer a subscription based service to consumers who have access to 3G network," he says.

Mobile games developer Jump Games has a mobile game on Hanuman. Jump Games has acquired international licenses including Virgin Comics and the popular beverage mascot Fido Dido.

It is also working with Virgin Comics on a mobile game based on their hit series, The Sadhu, which tells the story of a British soldier who discovers the mystical powers of Indian sadhus.

Mobile gaming is expected to explode globally over the next few years. Analysts predict that 220 million people will be playing games on phones by 2009, generating billions for mobile companies.

The expanding of mobile services to rural areas as the future driver of the gaming market, suggest that about 40 per cent of gaming revenues in this category will come from villages and small towns.