New Gaming Hardware Platform Is On The Go
And this time it's going to be a success... right?
A further boost for mobile gaming – following Eidos’ acquisition of Rockpool Games - comes with news Nokia is set to unveil full details of its plans for N-Gage 2 and ‘next-gen’ mobile gaming at next week’s Games Developers Conference in San Francisco - where SPOnG’s men on the ground will be bringing you the latest news updates as we get them.
N-Gage 2, or whatever it may be called, is not set to launch until later this year around September time. However, in the meantime, Nokia has sent over a few details on how some of its Finnish customers are already testing out the new mobile gaming technology before launch.
The company has partnered with Finnish mobile operator Elisa in a pilot scheme which started earlier in February and is set to run until mid-2007.
Back in December of 2005, we reported that Nokia had abandoned the N-Gage QD and original 'cheese sandwich' models due to “consumer apathy, critical mockery and publisher disinterest”. However, we also pointed out that a new development kit had been created – with Nokia showing its enhanced wares to its development partners in Helsinki and Vancouver. So, it’s certainly good to see that Nokia is ensuring support this time around from network partners.
Speaking about the pilot scheme, Jaako Kaidesoja, director of games at Nokia said that, "The core of the Nokia games strategy is to make it easy for people to find, buy and play great quality mobile games and we're excited to expand our relationship with Elisa to help make this possible. This pilot will help us to further refine the N-Gage experience for our commercial launch later this year."
Watch out for more Nokia and N-Gage news from SPOnGs team out at GDC next week.
N-Gage 2, or whatever it may be called, is not set to launch until later this year around September time. However, in the meantime, Nokia has sent over a few details on how some of its Finnish customers are already testing out the new mobile gaming technology before launch.
The company has partnered with Finnish mobile operator Elisa in a pilot scheme which started earlier in February and is set to run until mid-2007.
Back in December of 2005, we reported that Nokia had abandoned the N-Gage QD and original 'cheese sandwich' models due to “consumer apathy, critical mockery and publisher disinterest”. However, we also pointed out that a new development kit had been created – with Nokia showing its enhanced wares to its development partners in Helsinki and Vancouver. So, it’s certainly good to see that Nokia is ensuring support this time around from network partners.
Speaking about the pilot scheme, Jaako Kaidesoja, director of games at Nokia said that, "The core of the Nokia games strategy is to make it easy for people to find, buy and play great quality mobile games and we're excited to expand our relationship with Elisa to help make this possible. This pilot will help us to further refine the N-Gage experience for our commercial launch later this year."
Watch out for more Nokia and N-Gage news from SPOnGs team out at GDC next week.
Companies:
Nokia
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Comments
Joji 27 Feb 2007 16:44
1/6
Second helpings of taco gaming. Leave it alone Nokia. Phones are disposable phones, and don't make for long lasting game platforms.
I reckon once again this wil take another dive. DS and PSP are too strong for it to be around and make a profit. Phone gaming still remains as a big question mark in my mind.
I reckon once again this wil take another dive. DS and PSP are too strong for it to be around and make a profit. Phone gaming still remains as a big question mark in my mind.
realvictory 27 Feb 2007 18:07
2/6
No, everyone has a mobile phone. It depends on the games and their cost. There is a lot of potential, I think - let's face it, the original N-gage was badly done. If it was done well, it could succeed, which it doesn't have to beat the DS and PSP in order to do.
People who play games don't care what platform its on, what matters is how convenient it is, and how good the games are (and, in a lot of cases, marketing).
People who play games don't care what platform its on, what matters is how convenient it is, and how good the games are (and, in a lot of cases, marketing).
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realvictory 27 Feb 2007 18:07
3/6
No, everyone has a mobile phone. It depends on the games and their cost. There is a lot of potential, I think - let's face it, the original N-gage was badly done. If it was done well, it could succeed, which it doesn't have to beat the DS and PSP in order to do.
People who play games don't care what platform its on, what matters is how convenient it is, and how good the games are (and, in a lot of cases, marketing).
People who play games don't care what platform its on, what matters is how convenient it is, and how good the games are (and, in a lot of cases, marketing).
realvictory 27 Feb 2007 18:07
4/6
It sent 2 of the same message somehow - how can one be deleted?
majin dboy 27 Feb 2007 18:25
5/6
it does not matter,your mistake is forgiven.
RiseFromYourGrave 27 Feb 2007 20:50
6/6
id rather have a phone cum handheld made by a games company, come on nintendo