N-Gage users N-Raged by Nokia handset lock-in

N-Raged... see what we did there? Sigh. Anyway, Nokia's strategy of handset lock-in has its N-Gage subscribers in a fit. Seems somebody didn't read the EULA and now is upset that they must re-purchase N-Gage titles when they switch Nokia handsets. The terms and conditions do state that, "Content shall be... limited to one private installation on one N-Gage compatible Nokia device only." Forever. Come on Nokia, we're all for reading, but purchased games should at least be transferrable to newly purchased, substitute Nokia devices. After all, that's what you claim for music downloaded from your forthcoming Comes with Music service. Don't turn N-Gage v2 into another sidetalkin' fiasco.

[DirtyHarry @ May 22nd 2008 6:15AM]

Come on its an N-Gage who cares get a real console...

(im sorry for your loss)

[matthewlikestoburn @ May 22nd 2008 6:17AM]

i agree :P

[YetiJames @ May 22nd 2008 7:16AM]

Damn right

[j_g_puff @ May 22nd 2008 7:23AM]

N-gage isn't really a replacement for a console, is it you fools?

Regardless, I heartily recomment picodrive - a megadrive emulator that can run on S60 v3 devices. It's free, the ROMs are free (but only if you have the original game - don't go breaking the law now) and it will happily transfer from one device to another. What's more it's already had hundreds of classic games made for it. I feel like a really big man when I can bust out my phone and place some Golden Axe any time, any place.

[Jon2309 @ May 22nd 2008 6:24AM]

And thus, people discovered how easy it is to download a shady .SIS file, and use a data cable.

Seriously, they need some sort of anti-piracy measure for this stuff.

[Adam @ May 22nd 2008 6:30AM]

They do have anti-piracy measures but those shady .sis files you talk about get cracked like everything else.

[JAmerican @ May 22nd 2008 7:22AM]

lol N-Raged

[Flashpoint @ May 22nd 2008 8:09AM]

sounds like a good name for a Nokia made iPhone killer.

N-RAGE

[SoloSalsa @ May 25th 2008 12:04PM]

@Flashpoint:
Sounds nice, but then ATi (make that AMD) would all over them for stealing the ancient (pre-millenium) graphics card name.

[gordon @ May 22nd 2008 7:39AM]

I don't play games often and never wanted to transfer old games to a new phone. Logically, the concept of n-gage seems fair as long as the prices remain approximately 10$ .

[Kspraydad @ May 22nd 2008 7:48AM]

Nokia. Finnish for NonSense.

[Øivind @ May 22nd 2008 7:48AM]

So what happens when Nokia swap out handsets on warranty? People just lose their games unvoluntarily?

[Fernando @ May 22nd 2008 12:52PM]

No, in this case they'll give you a new game serial

Still, damn stupid from Nokia's part to do this, on always connected devices even, there could just be a Music Store like feature, just authorize your phone!

[Iain @ May 22nd 2008 7:49AM]

So, in other words, this is just the same as any other purchased games for mobile phones but for some reason you're trying to sensationalise this so that it's newsworthy?

[Lemmiwinks (SSBBFC: 0903-2436-0891) @ May 22nd 2008 1:23PM]

The difference is, these aren't cheap, crappy java games. Nokia is trying to (re-)launch a portable gaming platoform to compete with the likes of Nintendo and Sony. (At least, that's what the origninal N-Gage was all about.)

If they've toned down the service, and wish to keep the titles offered in the el-cheapo category, then I'm likely to agree with you. But if they're going to deliver ports of $30 titles and push this thing as a gaming platform, it's just not going to fly with the gaming crowd.

[Iain @ May 22nd 2008 3:56PM]

Most 'cheap' Java games aren't all that cheap either - they go for the best part of $10 each here in the UK.

And, to be honest, while Nokia may be trying to compete with the likes of Sony and Nintendo, I just can't see any of the games being good enough to warrant being priced significantly higher than standard Java games.
I mean, they're meant to be downloadable over-the-air, right? To make that practical, there must have to be a pretty strict limit on the size the game can be and, therefore, how good it will be.

[rabz @ May 22nd 2008 8:19AM]

i own a n-gage classic, the very first one, Nokia abandoned n-gage classic owners like me. and yeah i agree don't waste your money for a brick game spend it on a real hand held like the psp or a real gaming console

[Steffen Jobbs @ May 22nd 2008 9:02AM]

Abandoned you seems a rather harsh statement. If a platform fails, them's the breaks. Don't take it personally. Many gaming platforms have expired over the years. The dozen or so N-Gage classic users were hardly enough for Nokia to concern themselves with. Buy yourself a new N95 and you'll be N-Gaging for at least another year until Nokia gives up on it again.

[Rich @ May 22nd 2008 8:26AM]

Surely Nokia are in the business of encouraging people to upgrade their handset regularly? This sounds like a dumb move on their part.

[blade417 @ May 22nd 2008 8:48AM]

who has one of these anyway?

[Rich @ May 22nd 2008 10:09AM]

How many people own N-Gage capable Nokia smartphone? More people own one than own an iPhone or a Blackberry...

[Engadgetluvsappl @ May 22nd 2008 11:43AM]

Put together.

[Ian @ May 22nd 2008 9:34AM]

People still have NGage phones?

[Stu @ May 22nd 2008 10:21AM]

The whole point about the new N-Gage thing is it isn't one device, but works across a bunch of Nokia's high-end multimedia handsets (the N95, N81 etc). And the people who buy these tend to upgrade once a year at least, so they're going to get stung.

Anyway, if ditching failed consoles counts as abandoning users, where do I send my angry letter to Sega for not releasing Sonic v Mario for the Dreamcast this year? ;o)

[Mal F4cti0n @ May 22nd 2008 11:50AM]

Well, I guess we know that the N-gage service will fail again.

The main reason I don't buy any games for my cell phones anymore is because I can't transfer them. That and I have no idea if what I am buying is any good. They need to reveiw these games and show some screenshots before you buy. Just because the games are cheap, doesn't mean I want to piss my $4, $5, or $6 down the drain. N-gage should give you a cartridge and an adapter that will plug into your phone so you can install the games on any Nokia, N-gage device registered in your name.

EPIC FAIL, Nokia! Why don't I just give you my $5 and you give me nothing.

[Fernando @ May 22nd 2008 12:55PM]

Nokia got the screenshots, videos and reviews parts right. They just need to figure out the transfering thing.

Sigh... What a stupid decision of their part.

[crsh @ May 22nd 2008 12:34PM]

Seriously, who buys into anything that flaunts N-gage as a brand anymore, be it hardware or software. Hasn't Nokia committed suicide multiple times over this already?

[theninthcloud @ May 22nd 2008 3:54PM]

I wouldn't be that bothered by it. I'm used to having the same thing with my XBOX Arcade games as well as the Wii Ware stuff. Just because I bought it for one, doesn't mean I get it for any and every further device down the line.