Java and BREW are somehow related; the people that made this software understand that relationship much better than I do.
Simple concept - games written for NTT DoCoMo's i-Mode can be used o­n AU phones through BREW.
DoCoMO games are Java, and BREW games are C, and since Java is based o­n C, poof - instant conversion.

A service for converting "i-Mode" games, developed for use o­n NTT DoCoMo cellular phones, to "EZ Web" games, for use o­n au phones, will begin in October.

Star Games, a cellular phone game development house, will start the service. Along with greatly reducing the workload for programmers, this development should be key for au to get new contracts - game products are amongst the many features that users look for when signing a new cellular contract.

The biggest bottleneck facing cellular game development houses has been the environment in which the games start - they vary greatly between DoCoMo and au.

Conventionally, developers would have to lay down expenses for acceptable EZ Web compatibility while developing games for i-Mode; but this is expected to decrease.

DoCoMo games are applications that are built o­n the Java programming language basis, which is best suited for the exchange of data over the internet.

On the other hand, au games are applications built based o­n the C programming language.

To avoid the differences in these languages, Star Games has developed an automatic Java translation software.

Although there are numerous softwares currently in existence that do much the same thing, most of these require manual user intervention - this convertor can "convert in 10s of seconds," and its automatic conversion system is indeed rare. Conversion is done through the internet.

Beginning in October, the company will begin offering the "J2B Translator" service o­n their homepage.

Since the company is related to Bandai, HappyNet (of toys and video games) will also be a offer the service. Conversion prices are yet to be worked out, but the company expects 500 million yen of sales in its first year.

There are currently over 2,500 i-Mode supporting games in existence, and around 400 BREW supporting games. Because of this service, the count of games available to au is expected to drastically increase.

Final Fantasy, i-Mode version:


Inspired by:
http://www.business-i.jp/news/soft/art-20040811202029-ETZIYMHEHR.nwc

Star Games Homepage:
http://www.stargames.jp