Wanna Get Paris Hilton On The Phone?

Paris Hilton is about to get played.

The famous and infamous heiress is launching a line of cell phone games, with the first expected to be a puzzle game released worldwide this summer.

The initial game will be “geared to tweens/teens and fans of Paris Hilton,” according to an official announcement Tuesday (April 18) from the games’ publisher and developer, Gameloft.

“Mobile gaming is really hot right now, and I’m excited to be part of this project,” Hilton said in the Gameloft statement. While Hilton might not be a big gamer, she’s made appearances at industry parties sporting a bejeweled Nintendo DS and flashy PlayStation Portable, courtesy of her hosts.

The “Simple Life” star is not expected to be any more involved in the actual coding of her game than previous stars who went the controllable route. But that isn’t to say Paris isn’t bringing anything new to the video game medium. For one thing, Hilton will help correct a bit of gaming’s gender imbalance.

Most games centered around famous people have focused on famous men. Vin Diesel stars in a game, as do actors Jean Reno and Chow Yun Fat. Painter Bob Ross is even getting his own game (see “Video Game Based On Bob Ross’ ‘Joy Of Painting’ In The Works”).

It’s the norm for male athletes and rappers to get digital careers. From “Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out” and “Michael Jordan: Chaos in the Windy City” to “50 Cent: Bulletproof” and the ever-changing video game projects attached to Snoop Dogg, the guys have it. (Even Gameloft, while flashing its celebrity credentials for the Paris job, name-checks work with Derek Jeter, Vijay Singh and European soccer star Djibril Cisse.)

Females have had far fewer star turns in video games, with Britney Spears’ “Britney’s Dance Beat” and games from Hilary Duff character Lizzie McGuire, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and Raven Symone.

Further details and a first glimpse at the Hilton games are expected this spring in time for the Electronics Entertainment Expo in May.