Over on All About N-Gage, there's a special editorial on how N-Gage could potentially become a very large gaming platform indeed but not while it's left out of compatible phones' firmware. How many people will actually bother installing the N-Gage app if it doesn't come built into the phone?
Read on in the full article.
I guess this is the only place to comment as I can't see a comment link on the actual article...
Anyway, totally agree. One wonders if the people in charge of NGage business development in Nokia are the same ones responsible for Nokia business development in the US market - i.e. they're asleep, on holiday, or busy filing their nails...
That said, NGage has only had a very recent release, and it being part of the firmware is what they may well be planning. I think it's highly likely that they are doing their very best to strike a balance between getting it out to some people at least ASAP, and on the other hand not rushing it out before it's properly tested on other handsets and then killing the reputation of NGage before it's even off the ground (he says hopefully, giving Nokia the benefit of the doubt). The other blindingly obvious thing of course is to get NGage onto all those other handsets that are more than capable, such as the 6120 Classic. The only reason (other than the aforementioned) I can think it's not on there is that the NSeries handsets people want to differentiate their pricier handsets from the 6120 Classic (and other non Nseries, NGage-capable devices). If that's the case, it's just crazy and Nokia need to overcome these nonsensical decisions quickly.
Alex
phonething.com
That said, NGage has only had a very recent release, and it being part of the firmware is what they may well be planning.
Yes, that's what I think will happen. I don't think this will be a real launch until that does happen.
The only reason (other than the aforementioned) I can think it's not on there is that the NSeries handsets people want to differentiate their pricier handsets from the 6120 Classic (and other non Nseries, NGage-capable devices). If that's the case, it's just crazy and Nokia need to overcome these nonsensical decisions quickly.
Don't worry, Nokia is definitely not keeping N-Gage to just Nseries. As I mentioned in the article, they've included N-Gage support to the recently-announced upcoming 5320 which is their cheapest S60 phone so far (launching for 220 euros plus taxes). This isn't a luxury feature.
I totally agree it should be on as many handsets as possible, because the one thing a gaming platform needs for survival is a large userbase. It would be especially appropriate for a model as popular as the 6120.
I'd be very surprised to see any new S60 handsets announced in the future which didn't support N-Gage.
True, on the other hand I would not be terribly surprised if they were to keep it (at least initially) for N-Series and Xpressmusic (and Xpressmedia if that the TS device series to come) only, to differentiate their product range offerings. You can't get a nice wood interior trimming (or maybe even an iPod jack) in all of your Volkswagen models either (I know, a horribe, irrelevant comparison but could not think of a better one right now). 😊
I agree with the title of the post and while having the application pre loaded on to all available phones is an absolute no brainer - it is not the only reason the potential of N-Gage will go to waste.
The current game line up is just not good enough to draw sufficient interest!
I know this is a point which has been made before and it is one that raises much debate - what I haven't seen however is this point being discussed in relation to how network providers currently promote games.
My Nokia N95 is on the "3" network in the UK - When i hit the planet 3 link (which i do at least twice a day to check the news) the browser opens directly on a "today page" which regularly advertises games.
Further links from this page take me to games by category (Puzzle, Movie, Sport etc) all of which can be purchased through the network within a few simple clicks.
I have purchased many games through this method in the last 2 years and it works well - the exception being there is no trial before you buy so there is an element of risk taken in purchasing this way. The risk is slightly offset for me by the fact my contract includes a free £5 download every month - if the game is poor i haven really lost much.
The games are mainly Java, although i recall purchasing 3d games which I believe were .sis files through the exact same process.
So in terms of accessibility I would say that the N-Gage application is no better than my current route for purchasing games. In fact I would say it is slightly worse because I always check the 3 network today page for news - and i will always see new games as they are advertised
So even if the N-Gage application is on my device - I need a good reason to open it - this has to be that the games and experience are better.
I have been playing around with the application and have purchased 4 games since release. Generally I have been pleased with the arena functions - the experience is good. The games however while better than the java alternatives are NOT significantly better.
The only games that look like they may stand out are "one" and possibly the outcome from Project White Rock
Unless this is addressed and quickly the N-Gage will fail to live up to its potential.
True, on the other hand I would not be terribly surprised if they were to keep it (at least initially) for N-Series and Xpressmusic (and Xpressmedia if that the TS device series to come) only, to differentiate their product range offerings. You can't get a nice wood interior trimming (or maybe even an iPod jack) in all of your Volkswagen models either (I know, a horribe, irrelevant comparison but could not think of a better one right now). 😊
If we were talking about cameras or GPS or stuff like that I'd agree, because those features are valuable in themselves. Even if you're the only one in the world with GPS, it's still a valuable feature.
Gaming is totally different. A gaming platform cannot survive with an exclusive userbase. Gaming platforms have to be as large as possible because that's the only way to attract third party support, and third party support is vital to create enough games to attract new users. The more people use a platform, the better the platform is for everyone who uses it.
N-Gage is the one feature Nokia should NOT keep exclusive, it needs to be on every phone they can possibly put it on if they want it to succeed. In fact I'd go so far as to say they should let other companies' S60 models use N-Gage under licence.
The current game line up is just not good enough to draw sufficient interest!
I'd agree with you if we were talking about a gaming device but we're not.
People are buying these phones in large numbers anyway even without N-Gage games, so the lineup on offer probably doesn't make much difference to the number of people buying compatible phones.
Obviously better games would help, but it's nowhere near as important as it is on a gaming-centric platform such as a games console or the original gen N-Gage phones.
I have been playing around with the application and have purchased 4 games since release. Generally I have been pleased with the arena functions - the experience is good.
That's a pretty darn high purchasing rate considering there are only 8 games available and the platform only launched a few weeks ago! 😉
Seriously though, don't judge ANY gaming platform by its launch period. Go back to the original PlayStation's launch period and it was absolutely mediocre, and the same is true of practically any console or gaming platform, right back into the 1980s and 1970s. We look back on them now as being packed with classics, but almost none of these games appeared in the first months after launch.
You have to give a platform at least one year to get settled down before it comes into its own. That's when you can really judge if it's going to achieve much.
The games however while better than the java alternatives are NOT significantly better.
You've played all the games and NONE of them are significantly better than java?
What are the java alternatives to Creatures Of The Deep and System Rush? I don't think there are any.
The only games that look like they may stand out are "one" and possibly the outcome from Project White Rock
Well, this is the danger though: stand out to who? This platform is going to reach a much wider range of people than most, so it has to produce games that appeal to a much wider range of people.
Personally the stand-out titles for me are Creebies and Dirk Dagger, they look like doing some really unique stuff.