Sega is pumping up the marketing for its 2008 slate of mobile games, including interactive print and online ads featuring SMS short codes, MediaPost reports. At least two of the games scheduled for June release, Beijing 2008 and Sonic at the Olympics, will have campaigns that let users interact by sending text messages from their cell phones.

According to the article, the game developer hasn't had much luck with its banner ads and is hoping that one-to-one interactive nature of mobile will help drive sales. Sega is reportedly looking for more ways to integrate its mobile marketing strategy with some of its other media and services and is also mulling over the idea of a mobile game subscription service.

For a complete list of Sega's planned 2008 mobile game line-up, click continued.

"We are delivering some of the best brands in gaming, each designed from the ground-up specifically for play on the mobile platform," claims Sega Mobile VP Linda Chaplin. "With the casual gamer in mind, our games are short and 'snackable' with one-thumb controls that make it easy to play Sega Mobile games from anywhere."

The new Sega Mobile line-up includes:

Sega Columns Deluxe (May): A double dose of classic SEGA puzzle games in one pack, SEGA Columns Deluxe includes Columns and Puyo Pop. Users can play at their own pace and skill level in three game modes - Timed, Challenge and Endless.

Beijing 2008 - The Official Mobile Phone Game of the Olympic Games (June): Feel the excitement of the Olympic Games as players compete in four popular events - 100m, Hammer Throw, 200m Freestyle (swimming) and table tennis. Set records and earn your place on the awards podium. Rich graphics, easy controls and two game modes will get players in the action. 32 countries will be represented in the official mobile phone game of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Sonic at the Olympic Games (June): The Olympic Games with a Sonic twist. As Sonic, Tails, Knuckles or Amy, master five events including 1500m, 400m Hurdles, Triple Jump, Discus Throw and Javelin Throw to qualify, and ultimately, earn your place on the podium.

Samba de Amigo (September): The music and rhythm genre gets even spicier with this arcade classic's bouncy beats, lively stages and easy to pick-up and play controls. Players will use their D-Pads to shake maracas in time to the music alongside Amigo the monkey.

Sonic Spinball (October): As Sonic The Hedgehog, players will go whirling through action-packed levels of fast and furious pinball action. On a quest to stop Dr. Robotnik's evil scheme for world domination, players must race to collect Chaos Emeralds and rings and score big points before all is lost.

Medieval: Total War (September): Based on one of the most successful strategy franchises of all time, Medieval: Total War challenges players to control medieval European armies and employ tactics and wisdom on their quest to conquer their opponents. With support for both campaign and battle maps, players must manage resources, diplomacy and population happiness. The turn-based battle system offers layered levels of complexity for a range of players.

Zaxxon (October): A mobile reinvention of the arcade classic space combat shooter, play as a lone fighter pilot battling through three stages of an asteroid-filled alien galaxy in a quest to defeat the evil robot Zaxxon.

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (November): Sporting the fan-favorite 2D Sonic action from the SEGA Genesis and Game Gear systems, including Super Spin Dash power and team play with Tails, mobile gamers of all ages are sure to delight in Sonic The Hedgehog 2. Players defy gravity in hair-raising loop-de-loops, bounce like a pinball and race like lightning with just a few clicks of the D-pad.

Crazy Taxi (December): Crazy Taxi puts gamers into the driver seat as a fearless cabbie with serious attitude. Racing against the clock, "mobile drivers" must rack up mega-bucks before their shift ends by picking up passengers and zipping through city streets and back alleys. The wild, mission-based game play and interactive environments make Crazy Taxi one racy title. The game will be offered in both 2D and 3D versions.