Post-Mortem: My thoughts on N-Gage QD
I flew in last night, and was so wiped I slept through a press event (enough with the voice mails people), but woke up this morning feeling refreshed and ready to write about N-Gage. Here is my brief take on where Nokia is in the market.
Nokia is one of the top 10 brands or something ridiculous like that, and they know what they are doing in the cell phone market. This is not another 3DO situation folks; this is an established cell phone company prepared to react quickly to market demands. With the phone finally reasonably priced ($99 verses the $300 launch price), there really is a decent reason a gamer would buy this phone rather than another phone. Ergonomically, I do not enjoy talking on it, but I can get past that in order to have a copy of "Worms World Party" or Civilization with me at anytime.
Nokia is XBoxing it. Throw money at the problem until it goes away. I can almost see in their eyes, the waiting. They know the cell market will turn the way Europe and Asia have, and if they have a foot in the door, they will be the one to pull up ahead. The question is: will they retain developer support while the wait is on?
Due to the limited contraints of the platform, Nokia is signing up several titles exclusive to the N-Gage platform. I have to admit, there seems to be more original IPs being launched with the N-Gage, percentage wise, than any platform I see right now. This is what we have been asking for right? How many of you complained about the number of sequels at E32K4? They call it "building to the strengths of the platform". I call it, "how do we make this damn game fit on a vertical screen?". Regardless, they have signed "The Pocket Kingdom", the first globally connected mobile MMO; "Rifts", the first video game based on Kevin Siembieda's popular role-playing license, and "Pathway to Glory", an original WWII strategy game that makes the most of N-Gage Arena.
Which brings me to the next point. As a gaming platform, in my opinion, the N-Gage does not stand up to the handheld competition, mainly for the size aspect ratio, but also the low frame rate. However, it is a mobile device and they are quick to separate themselves from the handheld pack. One way they do this with amazing foresight is N-gage Arena. Think XBox Live on your cell phone connected all the time. With the addition of boards, IM, shadow racing, they have taken the concept of mobile online community gaming to the next level. If anything keeps them in the race, I feel it will be this. They do what we have been waiting for - turn mobile gaming into something original, not miniature console gaming.
Lastly (thank goodness for all y'all), they proclaim they will be the device you "will go back home to get if you forget it". It is your cell phone, right? Will N-Gage be the personal device you never leave home without? I feel the PSP has a better chance here. People already have proven they will carry a cell phone and a PDA (unless you are cool like me and have a Treo). If the PSP can fill the PDA segment of the market for younger gamers, N-Gage may be out of luck, because who wants another platform to buy games for (not to mention the differences in gameplay).
As sure as the Lord made green apples, Nokia is waiting in the wings to knock our socks off, with something; in the meantime, I doubt the press will relax enough to give the QD a chance. It should be an interesting race.
Nokia is one of the top 10 brands or something ridiculous like that, and they know what they are doing in the cell phone market. This is not another 3DO situation folks; this is an established cell phone company prepared to react quickly to market demands. With the phone finally reasonably priced ($99 verses the $300 launch price), there really is a decent reason a gamer would buy this phone rather than another phone. Ergonomically, I do not enjoy talking on it, but I can get past that in order to have a copy of "Worms World Party" or Civilization with me at anytime.
Nokia is XBoxing it. Throw money at the problem until it goes away. I can almost see in their eyes, the waiting. They know the cell market will turn the way Europe and Asia have, and if they have a foot in the door, they will be the one to pull up ahead. The question is: will they retain developer support while the wait is on?
Due to the limited contraints of the platform, Nokia is signing up several titles exclusive to the N-Gage platform. I have to admit, there seems to be more original IPs being launched with the N-Gage, percentage wise, than any platform I see right now. This is what we have been asking for right? How many of you complained about the number of sequels at E32K4? They call it "building to the strengths of the platform". I call it, "how do we make this damn game fit on a vertical screen?". Regardless, they have signed "The Pocket Kingdom", the first globally connected mobile MMO; "Rifts", the first video game based on Kevin Siembieda's popular role-playing license, and "Pathway to Glory", an original WWII strategy game that makes the most of N-Gage Arena.
Which brings me to the next point. As a gaming platform, in my opinion, the N-Gage does not stand up to the handheld competition, mainly for the size aspect ratio, but also the low frame rate. However, it is a mobile device and they are quick to separate themselves from the handheld pack. One way they do this with amazing foresight is N-gage Arena. Think XBox Live on your cell phone connected all the time. With the addition of boards, IM, shadow racing, they have taken the concept of mobile online community gaming to the next level. If anything keeps them in the race, I feel it will be this. They do what we have been waiting for - turn mobile gaming into something original, not miniature console gaming.
Lastly (thank goodness for all y'all), they proclaim they will be the device you "will go back home to get if you forget it". It is your cell phone, right? Will N-Gage be the personal device you never leave home without? I feel the PSP has a better chance here. People already have proven they will carry a cell phone and a PDA (unless you are cool like me and have a Treo). If the PSP can fill the PDA segment of the market for younger gamers, N-Gage may be out of luck, because who wants another platform to buy games for (not to mention the differences in gameplay).
As sure as the Lord made green apples, Nokia is waiting in the wings to knock our socks off, with something; in the meantime, I doubt the press will relax enough to give the QD a chance. It should be an interesting race.
Excellent review. I knew there was a good reason to come to your website. Now I'm not stalking you, I'm gaining insight into the next generation of hand held time wasters! JK :)
Nokia is throwing money at it, huh? I wonder if they've got the endless stream of cash that Sony seems to have?
Peace out!
Posted by
Brian |
9:37 PM, September 17, 2004
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Posted by
Brian |
9:38 PM, September 17, 2004
Seeing as how I cover most of the N-Gage stuff over at GameDaily and actually ended up being the only one to attend the Nokia E3 Press Conference this year, I figured I'd put my two cents into this.
The way I see it, the N-Gage launched way too quickly. It ended up suffocating because of this, with not nearly enough good games to back up the hype and a price so ridiculous, especially when you consider that you can now get the high-quality GBA SP for a mere 80 bones. I reviewed most of the launch line-up, which was a disgrace. Even Sonic Team's Sonic game for the platform ended up being a dud. And that was SONIC. He hasn't been in a bad game since Sonic Shuffle.
Nokia's been trying to play catch up, they worked with Activision on a good version of the original Pro Skater for the machine. And Rayman 3, I admit, was a little fun. But they still seem to lack the kind of necessary firepower to stay in the race. Pathway To Glory is interesting, I'll say, and I have to admit that Pocket Kingdom looks fascinating as well. The rest, though, I dunno. Crash Nitro Kart was a dud; Spiderman 2 SUCKED; and Bomberman, a game that could've really boosted the N-Gage Arena's capabilities, limited the action to two players. NO.
Their press conference less than impressed me, even with the goodies they threw and the beer they provided. They explained how they could never enter the Japanese game market (at all- at least Microsoft tried), and wouldn't even talk about how the N-Gage was going to compete with the DS and PSP. Pathetic.
I don't know, they've got a long way to go before they even get on the map in my eyes. The N-Gage QD could be something with the right development tools, marketing power, and decision making behind it. As is, Nokia's going to be playing a game of catch-up until they realize it's a costly game that isn't worth playing.
Posted by
Robert, the DCD |
11:06 AM, September 18, 2004
I agree QD does not stack up to PSP and DS. But can it survive in the market as a cell phone for gamers? Also, they have Worms and the One which both look interesting as well title wise.
Posted by
Kat Hunter |
11:34 AM, September 18, 2004
People buy phones. Gamer needs a new phone, he or she can A.) Buy something with a camera and a java app or B.) Buy and N-Gage for the same price.
Why will they chose the N-Gage? even if there is only one killer app they want to try, or they want Arena capability they will buy the N-Gage over just another phone.
For $50 in most places, and as little as $0 with a phone plan in others why would they not?
BTW, you aint seen nothing yet.
Posted by
Anonymous |
3:23 PM, September 18, 2004
See, I dunno. The QD doesn't really look like that cool a phone unit. I mean, yeah, it's great that it's a game machine and a phone all in one but it doesn't look real, pardon the term, user friendly. And most of the games I've played have been real letdowns. I never thought a Bust a Move game could be bad, but then came the N-Gage edition. Hoo boy.
If Nokia can pick up a bit on their development and offer more promising games, as well as maybe do something on the pricing, we may have something here. As is, well, it just doesn't look like it's worth it. Not even for Worms World Party.
And I'm a Worms fan. Destroyed anyone online with the Dreamcast edition.
Posted by
Robert, the DCD |
11:23 AM, September 19, 2004
Based on Gamespot's review, it doesn't seem like Pocket Kingdoms is location based. Their major innovation seems to be that their single player feels just like their multiplayer, which is somewhat reminiscent of .hack.
Looking forward to your writeup!
Posted by
crankyuser |
9:18 AM, September 22, 2004
Best regards from NY!
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