N-Gage – disaster looms? ‘Six million units in first two years’
First claims made by Finnish giant – global launch today.
On the eve of the launch of its widely-mocked gaming phone, the N-Gage, Nokia has made the first predictions as to how well the device will sell.
According to Nokia chief Ilkka Raiskinen, the N-Gage will shift six million units within the first two years on sale.
"This will be an important step for Nokia," he said. “My target for N-Gage is to drive more growth, using our core competences. It shows that Nokia is putting more focus on multimedia and enterprise solutions, changing Nokia to other things than just mobile voice.”
Despite the massive marketing campaign enjoyed by N-Gage, believed to be around the US$350 million mark, analysts are doubtful of the machine’s chances. The fact that the rear cover and battery have to be removed to change software for example, has attracted widespread criticism. Also under fire is the aspect of the screen, along with the basic ergonomic principles of a device that appears to be half games machine, half phone, with neither function present in acceptable proportions.
Gamers, who have remained devoutly loyal to Nintendo’s Game Boy consoles, are also yet to be convinced. Nintendo invented, then constantly redefined portable gaming, easily seeing off all competition. Despite devices like Sega’s GameGear, Atari’s Lynx, NEC’s PC Engine GT and SNK’s Neo Geo Pocket all being more powerful than the Game Boy available during the period of their release, Nintendo’s handheld offering trounced them all, with none of the above making even the slightest dent in Nintendo’s market share.
It would seem that N-Gage is set to follow suit. Without the kudos of being a stand-alone games machine, and trying to fit into a market where the core consumer already has a mobile phone, a portable digital music device and a Game Boy Advance, the chances of the N-Gage making any dent on either the phone or gaming console market seem slim to say the least.
It’s also worth remembering that if you want to buy an N-Gage, it will cost you 300 Euros - around £210 - for which you could buy a GameCube and a GBA SP, complete with games and link cable…
With contract, in the subsidy-friendly UK, prices start from £50.
Speaking to three key High Street mobile phone chains today, one had sold three units from existing pre-orders, one had no stock and a third had stock but had seen no sales and taken no pre-orders. However, all three stated that interest in the N-Gage had been surprisingly high, so perhaps there is hope for Nokia’s fledgling device. Giving Nintendo a glimmer of competition in the handheld sector can only be a good thing for both gamers and the industry in general.
We'll bring you everything on N-Gage as it breaks.
According to Nokia chief Ilkka Raiskinen, the N-Gage will shift six million units within the first two years on sale.
"This will be an important step for Nokia," he said. “My target for N-Gage is to drive more growth, using our core competences. It shows that Nokia is putting more focus on multimedia and enterprise solutions, changing Nokia to other things than just mobile voice.”
Despite the massive marketing campaign enjoyed by N-Gage, believed to be around the US$350 million mark, analysts are doubtful of the machine’s chances. The fact that the rear cover and battery have to be removed to change software for example, has attracted widespread criticism. Also under fire is the aspect of the screen, along with the basic ergonomic principles of a device that appears to be half games machine, half phone, with neither function present in acceptable proportions.
Gamers, who have remained devoutly loyal to Nintendo’s Game Boy consoles, are also yet to be convinced. Nintendo invented, then constantly redefined portable gaming, easily seeing off all competition. Despite devices like Sega’s GameGear, Atari’s Lynx, NEC’s PC Engine GT and SNK’s Neo Geo Pocket all being more powerful than the Game Boy available during the period of their release, Nintendo’s handheld offering trounced them all, with none of the above making even the slightest dent in Nintendo’s market share.
It would seem that N-Gage is set to follow suit. Without the kudos of being a stand-alone games machine, and trying to fit into a market where the core consumer already has a mobile phone, a portable digital music device and a Game Boy Advance, the chances of the N-Gage making any dent on either the phone or gaming console market seem slim to say the least.
It’s also worth remembering that if you want to buy an N-Gage, it will cost you 300 Euros - around £210 - for which you could buy a GameCube and a GBA SP, complete with games and link cable…
With contract, in the subsidy-friendly UK, prices start from £50.
Speaking to three key High Street mobile phone chains today, one had sold three units from existing pre-orders, one had no stock and a third had stock but had seen no sales and taken no pre-orders. However, all three stated that interest in the N-Gage had been surprisingly high, so perhaps there is hope for Nokia’s fledgling device. Giving Nintendo a glimmer of competition in the handheld sector can only be a good thing for both gamers and the industry in general.
We'll bring you everything on N-Gage as it breaks.
Companies:
Nokia
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