Here is the interview with Yuval of iTycoon, wich focuses on the backround, technical and gameplay.

What can be done in “iTycoon “?

iTycoon is a game for the young-at-heart mobile user, specifically designed for today’s urban environment. It will allow you to take part in a virtual economy layered over your actual city, and play a business tycoon with very little knowledge or time investment, but with great satisfaction.

Being a location-based game, it utilizes the built-in 3G abilities of the iPhone to connect you, not only to your surroundings, but to fellow players as well - socializing you on the spot, so to speak. For more info on the specifics of the gameplay, please visit http://www.itycoonproject.com/about/

Is there a ladder or a championship ?

Right now the system we envision to prevent “overpopulation” of the game zone is a server-like “worlds” system, where there will be limited number of players per world, but allowing mobility from world to world.

Does the game require a permanent connection to the Internet on mobile?

No, the game is primary GPS based, and no permanent connection required, though there will be an extra added game value through the game’s website.

The GPS is required? Could we playing in subway and in building?

Yeah, the GPS is kinda the main reason we started this game :)
But seriously, the fun in the game will be from walking by past a store and then “buying” it with your friends, or “purchasing” your office building to annoy the boss and make him pay fines for “using” it. The GPS component is a major factor here, so probably subway will be out of the question. Buildings will probabgly work, depending on the service providers.

Do you plan to release iTycoon on any another platforms besides Iphone?

Deffinitely. the iPhone is just the beginnig. We see iTycoon running of as many 3G GPS platforms as possible.

In which countries do you plan to release your game and…when ?

The beta will be taking place in Israel, where we live and work. The next obvious place is USA, because of the high rate of iPhone penetration. Then, the sky’s the limit. We also aproached several european mobile industry executives, one of whom was a high ranking official at Orange france. We are esppecially interested in the Orange france Trial Factory, which gives mobile developers opportuinities to grow and express themselves - and so could be very rellevant to us.
As for release date, well we can only say that early beta in Israel is still a couple of month away. But we’ll keep everyone posted via the blo, so be sure to check in now and then.

Thanks Yuval :)

http://www.itycoonproject.com/