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Nokia announces the end of its N-Gage gaming platform
Nokia has officially announced that it will put an end to its problem-plagued N-Gage gaming service, integrating it into its Ovi Store. The move isn't really a shocker, and while Nokia has confirmed that no further games will be published, it's also said that it will continue to sell currently available games in the Ovi Store (as of today) until the end of September 2010. The N-Gage website, which holds the Arena and community boards, will also continue until that time. Nokia says that any already purchased games will continue to run on the mobile device, but that any connected community features will be non-functional come 2010. [Via Pocket Lint]
Nokia announces the end of its N-Gage gaming service
Nokia has officially announced that it will put an end to its problem-plagued N-Gage gaming service, integrating it into its Ovi Store. The move isn't really a shocker, and while Nokia has confirmed that no further games will be published, it's also said that it will continue to sell currently available games in the Ovi Store (as of today) until the end of September 2010. The N-Gage website, which holds the Arena and community boards, will also continue until that time. Nokia says that any already purchased games will continue to run on the mobile device, but that any connected community features will be non-functional come 2010. [Via Pocket Lint]
Screen Grabs: Nokia N96 preserves the evidence on Dexter
Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com. No this isn't the first Nokia-wielding fictional character or celeb that we've seen in this space, but the N96 recently spotted in the hands of our favorite psychopath has us wondering: would Dexter Morgan try N-Gage? And wouldn't he prefer something with a QWERTY keyboard? Come to think of it, we always thought of him as a BlackBerry guy. Then again, times are tough, and as a new father he has to make... sacrifices.Update: We originally identified this one as the N81. Thanks to all you raving Nokia fanatics who pointed out the error. %Gallery-76127%
Nokia says N73, N93 and N93i won't be N-Gage compatible
Tough news for N73, N93 and N93i owners -- a respected N-Gage Arena Forum moderator has just stepped forward to let the world know that the aforesaid phones will not be N-Gage compatible. For folks who've moved on to newer, more powerful handsets, we're sure this tidbit means nothing; for those who've held tight to prior promises to bring the N-Gage experience to this trio, it's far more detrimental. We're told that Nokia tried for months on end to make it all work, but in the end they simply weren't satisfied with the experience on these aged devices. No need to tear up though, it's just the perfect excuse to line up for that N97 you've been eying.[Via All About Symbian]
"One transfer policy" still in place for N-Gage games
Whoa, boy. Cue the second wave firestorm in 3, 2, 1.... After Nokia responded to outcries from N-Gage users who were infuriated at the idea of not being able to transfer their titles between handsets, all seemed to be well. Now, however, we're finding that there's still a "one transfer policy" in effect, meaning that your games can only be ported from one handset to another one time before your world implodes. It should be noted, though, that a recent report at All About N-Gage asserts that said policy is only temporary, and that Nokia is currently working towards "a more permanent transfer method." Of course, there's no set time line for when we'll see such a thing, and it's not like the N-Gage niche as a whole is growing in leaps and bounds; in other words, you N-Gage fanatics may want to pick a handset and stay content -- you might be relying on it for awhile.[Via All About Symbian]
Resident Evil: Degeneration game infecting N-Gage
Beware citizens, for it would appear that the T-Virus has mutated, and has now taken to resurrecting not only the recently deceased, but also mobile platforms thought long since dead. Or at the very least irrelevant. Gamasutra reports that Capcom is bringing a game based on its upcoming CGI flick, Resident Evil: Degeneration, to Nokia's N-Gage service, which (re)launched earlier this year and is available on multiple Nokia smartphones.According to the report, the movie tie-in will feature two separate modes of play and 3D graphics designed to both show off the platform's capabilities and illustrate Capcom's "dedication to N-Gage," a fascination we imagine will blur the line between devotion and necrophilia when the title launches later this year.
Rogers embraces N-Gage, Nokia Maps
Rogers has gained the notable distinction of becoming just the first carrier in North America to partner with Nokia to distribute its N-Gage and Maps clients, an unprecedented move that could lead to tighter (dare we say, more Europe-like?) relationships in the future. Both products are initially available on the N95 8GB -- a phone that Rogers officially offers through its own channels -- and will presumably see wider launch as other S60 handsets are brought into the fold. What's next, Rogers, full-on Ovi support?[Thanks, James]
Nokia looking to bring N-Gage empire to consoles?
Perhaps one of the largest barriers to a massive, all-out, unqualified success for Nokia's latest incarnation of N-Gage is that it takes two to tango -- yes, it's as much a single-player gaming platform as it is a multi-player one, but the community features are its crown jewel and it's pretty tough to find another N-Gager in some parts of the world. Nokia's Aki Jarvilehto told attendees of the Develop 2008 conference that it's looking at using N-Gage's "assets" on Xbox Live or PlayStation Online, though it's not clear whether there'd be any interactivity between console players and their mobile equivalents, or if Nokia's just looking for another revenue stream to augment on-phone sales. Either way, Creatures of the Deep on the big screen without having to jack into our N95's TV-out? Bring it on.[Via The Nokia Blog]
Nokia adds trio of recent models to N-Gage compatibility list
If you've been desperately seeking some Snakes Subsonic gaming partners on that N82 of yours, your pool of potential playmates just got a little (emphasis on "little") wider. The N78, N96, and XpressMusic 5320 have now been added into the N-Gage client compatibility mix -- though of the three, the N78 is the only one that's really widely available at this point. The 5320's just now starting to trickle into distribution around the world, and if you happen to end up playing System Rush with an N96 owner in the next few weeks... well, you're playing with a very special individual, indeed.[Via All About Symbian]
Nokia promises to let N-Gage users transfer games
Well, that didn't take long. Just as the mini-brouhaha over N-Gage games being tied to handsets was starting to percolate, Nokia has now come out and said that users will be able to take their games with them to a new handset after all, eventually. According to Nokia communications manager Oskar Södergren, some "miscommunication" on Nokia's part is apparently to blame for users being left up in the air on the matter, something that apparently led to some "mixed messages" being passed around inside Nokia as well. He went on to add that Nokia has in fact "been working on a way for this to work since the relaunch, but it is taking some time for everything to fall into place."
Future N-Gage titles could utilize integrated GPS, camera
Truth be told, we could sort of see this one coming -- after all, why wouldn't N-Gage developers seek to use a handset's built-in functions to enhance gameplay? Nevertheless, the folks at Nok Nok were able to pick the brain of Will Shen, N-Gage Head of Production in North America, and found out quite a few tidbits about the future of the platform. Reportedly, Mr. Shen went so far as to confirm that it is "looking at creating games that harness the power of [a mobile's] built-in camera, GPS receiver and any relevant skill [that it] may possess that could help inspire and execute innovative games." Granted, location-based titles aren't anything new in the grand scheme of things, but Shen also noted that his team is looking to "focus on innovation" rather than "gimmick gaming." Marvelous -- now let's get this stuff rolled out en masse, shall we?
PSP phone hints dropped in Sony magazine
If the test we performed during Podcast 37 was any indication, the Skype feature which was recently made available to PSPs, while neat, probably doesn't cut it when it comes to your main form of mobile communication. However, we can't be expected to carry around our cell phones and our PSPs. We only have one pair of multi-pocketed cargo pants, and, well, they really don't do much for our figure.We might be in luck -- a recent issue of Sony Magazine has stoked the fires of a finely aged rumor that a PSP phone is currently in the works, possibly under Sony Ericsson. One article briefly mentions that a "PSP-style phone is apparently in development," and that the device could hit retail "as early as February." While it wouldn't be the first time Sony released a handheld upon an unsuspecting public with little to no fanfare, we would think we'd hear about something like this more than a month before it hits store shelves. We mean -- part gaming device, part mobile phone? The world's never seen anything like this before!
Nokia unveils N-Gage gaming platform
The N-Gage (hardware) is dead, long live the N-Gage (platform). While not a surprise, Nokia has officially unveiled its new mobile gaming incarnation. The service will launch globally this November, where you can download the free client to your computer and subsequently installed onto compatible Nokia devices. According to the press release, all games will be free to demo, cost between six and 10 euros (approx. US $8 to $14) and feature online play against friends or random opponents via the N-Gage Arena.Electronic Arts is currently showing the most support to the system, with Capcom and Vivendi also pledging to provide mobile titles.According to the website, each player will have a their own profile with achievements and points. Most everything about the new service reeks of Xbox Live, in a very good way. The first phones to be compatible will be Nokia models N73, N81, N93 and N95, with more S60 models to be compatible at a later date.[Via Engadget]
New N-Gage game coming to mobile phones and PCs
Don't be confused: Nokia's N-Gage gaming platform isn't the same as its ill-fated hardware iterations of the same name. And while sidetalking might be a thing of the past, Nokia's still confident that the N-Gage name can live on in mobile phone games, especially as a client for facilitating online play.That said, Pocket Gamer reports that Nokia is working on a new title for the N-Gage platform, which will be playable not just on mobile phones, but on PCs as well. The game, codenamed "Project White Rock," is being developed by RedLynx, makers of the well-received wartime strategy title Pathway to Glory. The team is also being led by Scott Foe, who previously worked on Pocket Kingdom: 0wn the the W0rld, notable for its equally positive press and for being the first ever mobile phone MMO.Though little is known about "Project White Rock", Foe did inform Pocket Gamer that the title will feature over a thousand lines of recorded dialog, and will utilize unique technology purchased from Sega that will allow the mobile version to connect with the PC version. Details pertaining to the game's specific genre, multi-platform connectivity, and release date are as yet unknown, but will most likely come forth when the game is officially announced.
Japanese hardware sales, Jun. 4 - Jun. 10: Harry Potter edition
The final release of Harry Potter, one of the most widespread, wonderful literary series ever written, is coming to a close come July 21st. We'd like to take a moment and salute J. K. Rowling for reintroducing the better part of a world to the joys of reading, because hey, if no one read, we'd be out of our jobs. Pick up Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as soon as you can, guys. Trust us.Harry Potter and the Japanese Hardware Sales"Harry," said Ron, slightly out of breath, "Snape'll go nutters if we're late again. Remember what he did to Neville?""Yeah," replied Harry, throwing himself down a shifting staircase and sprinting through the corridors. Snape had used a particularly nasty hex on the frequently tardy Neville, turning his hands into N-Gages. Harry allowed himself a momentary shudder.They rounded a corner and began the descent into Snape's dungeon of a classroom, Harry's least favorite place at Hogwarts. Even disregarding his immense dislike of Severus Snape, Harry had never had much of a knack for Potions; it was always his lowest grade of the term.
New N-Gage interface in the wild
It is nice to see that the N-Gage platform may -- as heavily rumored here, there, and everywhere -- receive a fresh breath of much-needed life in the coming months. The new interface captured at Nokia's Experience Day is running merrily on the Nokia N95 (read: no sidetalkin') and is definitely wearing Nokia circa 2007 styling. While we do have the pic, we definitely lack any concrete details -- but we can at least take some comfort in seeing a "Play With Friends" menu option and what appears to be a user pic on the screen taken by a forward facing camera. While the idea of a real gaming phone is a hot one, the N-Gage fell a little short of hitting the perfect balance (OK, well short) and we all have high hopes that the third time's a charm.
Today's most failure-prone video: Console duds
In today's video pick, GameTrailers counts down its list of the top ten console failures, including the Jaguar, Virtual Boy, and 3DO. We were tortured by watching footage of these console failures, yet we couldn't turn away, wishing that the hardware had succeeded while laughing about all the obvious reasons the systems bombed. The list covers the systems we expected; would you have added others?See the video after the break.
Nokia prepping new gaming-oriented handset
Just because Nokia hasn't committed to making a direct successor to the original N-Gage doesn't mean there won't be focused devices in the pipeline to support its next-gen gaming platform. Although the N73 and N95 are apparently the only launched models that'll support its game download service when it launches this September, neither device is well-suited to the rigors of a hardcore game, and that's where the new handset comes into play (pun intended). Though details are scant, the Wall Street Journal reports that it'll have dedicated game keys, "among other features," for the expressed purpose of making life a little easier on the on-the-go gamer. As long as we can dispense with the taco talking, we're game (again, pun intended).[Via MocoNews]
Nokia to release new N-Gage this September
You don't have to tell Nokia that the original N-Gage was not the success they had imagined. They already know. That won't stop them from giving it the ol' college try as Nokia plans on rolling out a new N-Gage by this September. In a brief statement on the official N-Gage blog, Nokia makes mention of a September release amidst reassuring that more than two publishers are on board for the new platform.At the moment, only EA Mobile and Gameloft have known commitments for the new N-Gage with both publishers having already released titles for the original device. With Gameloft holding the lucrative Totally Spies license, we can only cross our fingers and hope for a next generation N-Gage follow-up.
Rumor: Sony attends meeting on new N-Gage
People like to say the PSP is a failure. That would be incorrect. Calling the first N-Gage a failure, on the other hand, is quite apt. We reported back in November that Nokia was interested in making a comeback into the games arena with yet another N-Gage. In the era of the iPhone, a $600 convergence machine that can make calls and play games doesn't seem so outrageous. Does Nokia have what it takes to pull it off? If Pocket Gamer is to be believed, it appears many top-name publishers are interested in Nokia's latest device. Supposedly, Nokia held a "top secret" two-day event, which was attended by big-name publishers, such as Sega, Square Enix, Capcom, THQ, EA, Tecmo, Namco, Vivendi ... and Sony. What? If this "top secret" meeting didn't seem fishy enough, Sony's presence makes it even more obvious that Pocket Gamer's reporting is downright inaccurate. Why would Sony want to work on a platform that directly competes against the PSP? (Of course, history buffs will remember that Sony did go on to make at least one game for a Nintendo platform.) If by some chance this mysterious Nokia meeting did happen, and Sony happened to be there, we'd like to think they're simply trying to get ideas for the rumored PSP phone. The validity of Pocket Gamer's claim will be tested next week, during a new conference that will supposedly happen in Madrid. [Via Joystiq]
