N-Gage
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"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]
Nokia expects "challenging times" for handset gaming to continue
It shouldn't come as any huge surprise that the handset gaming market isn't exactly thriving, and with these curious economic times surrounding us, we have all ideas that folks have better things to worry over than what their N-Gage buddies are doing. And so does Nokia. According to Jaakko Kaidesoja, head of Nokia's gaming operations, he "expects challenging times to continue," noting that the "overall gaming market is likely not growing." Predictably, he was fairly bullish on the eventual success of the N-Gage platform and the iPhone, but he did confess that pre-loading the N-Gage software onto mobiles would greatly help adoption (you think?). In related news, EA Mobile's Peter Parmenter thrashed Nokia by calling N-Gage "not quite polished yet" and referring to it as a soft launch. It's okay Nokia -- we still have to find something to do on the can, so surely gaming fits in there somewhere.[Via mocoNews]Read - Nokia's takeRead - EA Mobile's take
FIFA is the new Madden, in the UK
Some interesting statistics about Electronic Arts' recently launched FIFA 09 in the U.K. (via Chart Track): It is currently beating the sales rate of FIFA08 -- itself a bestselling UK game last year -- by 37.5%. It debuted at the top of the PlayStation 2, PS3, PSP and Xbox 360 charts. Of those sales, 42% were on Xbox 360, making it the 3rd fastest selling game on Microsoft's format (behind GTA IV and Halo 3), while 40% were on PS3 where it is the 2nd fastest selling game (behind GTA IV). 11% go to PS2, 3% to PSP and the rest for PC, Wii and DS. Just goes to show you that no matter the culture or continent, EA owns football. See the full top 10 list of All Formats software sales after the break.
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]
PS3 becomes home to FIFA Interactive World Cup 2009
Do you have what it takes to be the world's best virtual football player? The FIFA Interactive World Cup begins this October. Players will be able to compete at one of 19 physical FIWC 09 Qualifier Events across the globe, kicking off in New Zealand on October 25 and covering countries all over the world, including Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Italy, South Africa and the United States. Players will also be able to compete for the 13 places available in the final for the best online players via the PLAYSTATION Network. Not only will players be vying for fame, but the grand prize winner will receive a cash prize of $20,000 USD and a KIA Soul. The second place winner will receive $5,000 and third place will win $1,000. Players will be able to start practicing now with the demo available on the Store -- but to get in the competition, they'll have to buy the full game when it launches later next month. For more information on the Inetractive World Cup, visit www.FIFA.com/FIWC.
FIFA 09 taking inspiration from closest rival
The annual match-up between FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer is often a closely fought contest, though as last year's revelatory Wii version of PES ran away with the plaudits, EA has decided to play it safe: basically, it's copying the opposition. Hence, FIFA 09 will ship with the same "point-and-pass" mechanics that received so much admiration in PES 2008, and we can't say we blame them. Combine this with EA's usual level of spit and polish, a Wii exclusive eight-on-eight mode, and a special casual-friendly mode with blobby, Mii-like players, and this year's winner may come from the EA camp. Hit the gallery for tubby versions of everybody's favorite soccer players, but sadly none of ENGLAND HERO Theo Walcott. %Gallery-26660%
FIFA 09 demo kicks its way onto the XBLM
Available prior to the game's official release next month, EA Sports just released a shiny new FIFA 09 demo to the Xbox Live Marketplace. The 740MB demo is available for download in all Live regions and (according to the demo description) features "more responsive first-time shooting, passing, one-touches plus faster and more controlled dribbling and improved trapping." Oh, and for those who are confused over what the heck "FIFA" actually is, think football if you live in Europe and soccer if you're Stateside. Have fun downloading and demoing!
FIFA 09: debut trailer, demo release date, adidas Live Season mode
Here's the first trailer released for FIFA 09, the newest iteration of the popular soccer franchise. The game is looking great, though some may complain the character models don't look enough like the actual players. You also won't have to wait long to try it out for yourself: the demo will be available from the PSN starting September 11st worldwide. Furthermore, EA has announced a new "premium service" (meaning it might cost money) called adidas Live Season. This service will provide a weekly update for each player's stats according to their performance in real-life games from the launch of FIFA 09 to the end of the 2008-09 season. It will be only available for Barclay's Premier League, La Liga BBVA, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Serie A and Mexican Primera Division. Finally, there's a gameplay video and trailer, after the jump.
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]
FIFA 09 official website kicks off
The official site for FIFA 09 has debuted with three new screeshots from the PS3 version for your viewing pleasure. Heavy emphasis is still placed on the 250 changes to be expected in the lastest version of the popular soccer/football franchise. Not much new information other than what we reported on before is revealed, and still no word on what the PS3 exclusive mode will be either. You can even place a pre-order at the EA Store; however, only a general release date autumn 2008 has been given at this time. %Gallery-26544%
FIFA 09 screens are goal-eriffic
Remember that whole thing about Mii versions of your favorite soccer stars? Lo and behold, we've come across the first images for FIFA 09, and it's looking pretty fast-kickingly good. Ronaldhino (the guy who clearly uses special effects and isn't really that good) and Wayne Rooney head up the cast of for Footii Match mode. The graphics look great, to be completely honest. FIFA 09 on the Wii will never be the best-looking version, but it includes the full simulation of regular FIFA gameplay along with the arcade-style modes. Since Wii owners are very accustomed to Mii characters by now, there's every reason to add light-hearted gameplay into the mix. If it's as good as Mario Strikers: Charged, then we're looking at a winner. %Gallery-26660%
FIFA 09 wants to score so badly
EA knows that football soccer is a somewhat popular sport. Maybe not as popular as curling, but it does its best to fit in. On account of the FIFA series being super popular, EA has revealed just how hard they worked to create each version of FIFA 09. Instead of just a simple Wii port with waggle additions, Andrew Wilson of EA says they "have innovated features, created new modes and designed controls that are tailored to each specific platform." FIFA 09 is part of the recently revealed All-Play series, used to market EA's line of Wii sports games. It will feature a standard 11 vs. 11 simulation mode (with "refined motion and point-and-play controls"), and the 8 vs. 8 Footii Match mode. Footii Match is an arcade-style mode featuring Mii versions of various soccer stars (like Ariaga, Ariaga 2, Bariaga, Aruglia and Pizzoza) and the gameplay will be fast and furious -- similar to the recent Madden trailers. The All-Play series has really put the Wii where it needs to be when it comes to sports games. After a little bit more research, we discovered soccer is a little more popular than originally thought (somewhere in the vicinity of Most. Popular. Game. Ever), so EA is on the right track by giving it the specialized attention it needs. [Via press release]
FIFA Soccer 09 for PS3 will have exclusive game mode
An interview over at Gamespot with FIFA Soccer 09 producer David Rutter has revealed new information about the upcoming sports game. 30 leagues and 40 national teams are at your disposal this year, while the magic number of 250 key changes as reported before remain true. Highlights of upgrades from the previous year include improvements in "responsiveness, physical play and their affect through attributes, plus the AI." Different types of players are less homogeneous and you will have to utilize different types of players to achieve victory. A Custom Team Tactics mode will be introduced where 11 sliders or criteria will allow you to determine how your team will play. There is also a promise of 140 attacking and 40 defensive options. The ever-popular Be A Pro career mode will allow you to play unlocked, meaning one has the option of a change of position and still gain experience. Friends can likewise choose to act as a teammate or opponent to the player in this mode. Lastly, Rutter promises a to talk about "a game mode exclusive to that system," referring to the PS3, later in the year. We'll keep you updated as details of the mode becomes available. %Gallery-26544%
Improvements abound in FIFA '09
Another year, another round of sports games. Usually regarded as rehashes with slight tweaks, every so often one of the annual sports titles gets a significant makeover. For 2009, that title appears to be FIFA '09 out of the Electronic Arts office ('06 is pictured). GamesMaster magazine published an article about the title, boasting 250 improvements made to the game including responsiveness and a revamped collision system. The responsiveness is improved by allowing "quicker release of the ball, greater urgency in the off-the-ball running, a new jostle system that takes into account the strength of the players when going shoulder to shoulder and subtle animations that enable players to take first-time shots." The collision system calculates speed, weight, and power as characters collide; each player has unique stats. If you get hit hard in your standing leg, the tackled player may not be able to continue playing that game. If you're just clipped, your character will probably be all right. So, for those who've wanted these things changed, there you go.
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."
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.
FIFA Interactive World Cup finalists to play in Berlin on May 24th
The fourth annual FIFA Interactive World Cup will soon be coming to an end after lasting an epic seven months. Over 25,000 players competed for a place in the final, but only thirty-two will go through to play each other at the Sony Center in Berlin on May 24th. The winner will then be crowned "FIFA Interactive World Player of the Year." Prestigious, indeed. Last year's defending champion, Andries Smit, will be competing against the other thirty-one finalists for a cash prize of $20,000 and an invitation to the FIFA World Player Gala 2008. If you're interested, a list of the finalists can be found after the break. If you took part in the competition and didn't make it to the final, then never mind. Perhaps now's a good time to start practicing for next year's FIFA Interactive World Cup. [Via Press Release]
Straps and stands: More preorder bonuses in Korea
Koreans really love free stuff! Then again, who doesn't? This latest round of preorder incentives rewards gamers who've reserved Wii Sports with branded towels and Wii Remote cell phone straps. Unlike in the states, Wiis will not come bundled with Wii Sports when the console launches in South Korea on April 26th. EA is also throwing in what looks like Brando's Crystal Cooler with every preorder for FIFA 08. The replacement base features a cooling fan and electric blue LEDs -- not too useful, but it's free, which automatically makes it a hundred times more awesome. Bring five bucks past the post break to get a look at the stand offer.
