Mobile operator 3 today claimed to be the first to offer real-time multiplayer online gaming to its subscribers.

The first titles will be No Refuge, a tank battle game supplied by Mobile Interaction, and Lock 'n Load, a shooting game from Synergenix.

In addition, 3 will launch the "turn-based" multiplayer game Cannons Tournament, a shoot and fire game supplied by Macrospace.

The company claimed that some of its gaming offerings are "near console quality" including the 3D titles Rally Pro Contest and Lock 'n Load. The games are supported on the 3 network by the Mophun gaming engine supplied by Synergenix.

Users will pay 25p per game per day (double for multiplayer games) or 50p to hire them for three days. The games can also be bought outright for between £3 and £7.50.

Graeme Oxby, marketing director at 3, said that the firm viewed its gaming offering as a logical extension of the value-added music download service which has been operational for the past six months.