Sony Ericsson announced Thursday that it has launched a trial version of its own online gaming service for users of high end Sony Ericsson phones. The service intends to compete with N-Gage's Arena service in the mobile gaming sector.

Unlike the N-Gage, Sony Ericsson's service doesn't use Bluetooth to let gamers play each other head to head. Also, the games are stored online, not in a multimedia card inserted into the phone. The trial service will let users download the game and then play other users via the online service.

The phones that the service will use include the company's T-series and high-end Z600 and Z608.