Issue 34 - Anywhere, Anytime, Any Phone

[The Escapist Staff]

Max Steele"I'm sipping a latte at Starbucks when an instant message arrives on my mobile phone. There's a mobile game tournament starting soon with a $30 prize, and I'm invited to play." Max Steele looks at how a band of rebels from Sega.com transformed Nokia's N-Gage from a failing handset to a mobile gaming software platform with revolutionary potential.

 

[The Escapist Staff]

Original Comment by: Jake

Just curious on mobile games. Do people prefer to play against other people, play puzzle like games, or play one on one games. I guess I'm open to it all (though I pretty much lose in a competition).

 

[The Escapist Staff]

Original Comment by: Ken Noland

It's actually kinda funny with mobile platforms the technology is advancing at a faster rate then in the other gaming platforms. Soon, you'll see pixel shader enabled phones and larger resolution jam packed into that tiny device. One of my biggest concerns is that people won't see beyond the classic arcade or casual games and people will only see cell phones as limited devices without the full potential for a complete end user experience. Even if they do see the potential for these devices, I fear that it may just be another outlet for already "established games".

I just hope game designers are willing to take this new technology and put it to good use! I don't want Grand Theft Auto for my cell phone when I already have it for my PC, PS2 and my PSP.

 

[The Escapist Staff]

Original Comment by: mari
http://www.marij.com
I maintain that there are few better ways to pass the time, or to spend $4.99 than with the old school Sonic on my N-Gage.

 

[The Escapist Staff]

Original Comment by: Mark

The only real problem I have with mobile gaming is that they're pretty uncomfortable, which is easily overcome by playing games that aren't time-limited.

Speaking of mobile gaming, what does a guy have to do to download those Phoenix Wright cases onto his phone? I've heard all sorts of things about how they exist all of a sudden, but no information about where.

 

[The Escapist Staff]

Original Comment by: Pat M.

Mark:

http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/cell-phone/phoenix-wright-on-american-cell-phones-155747.php

It's coming.

 

[The Escapist Staff]

Original Comment by: funkyflea

Fantastic piece of reading. Very fresh to read something new and positive about the future of N-Gage.

I have been 'n-gaged' since the beginning and am very hopeful for the coming expansions.

Oh and we all know Zergus, the one who beat you, very talented individual!

funkyflea

 

[The Escapist Staff]

Original Comment by: Technofungk

tExcellent article.....you really did your homework!

This verifies everything that I've been telling people for years: that the folks from Sega.com are some of the greatest pioneers of online gaming. 'Kinda makes you wonder where XBox live would be today if it weren't for Sega's influence. Hopefully Nokia realizes the impotance as well, and continues what Weiner and his Seganet crew have started.

My biggest hope for mobile gaming (aside from the success of the N-Gage Arena) is that it causes the rebirth of ORIGINALITY when it comes to game design. If I see another version (or their counterparts) of Grand Theft Auto, Tomb Raider, Need For Speed, Tekken Tag, etc., etc., I might be tempted to kill myself!

Especially the GAZILLION versions of Street Fighter!!


Technofungk

 

[The Escapist Staff]

Original Comment by: Slartibartfast

Looking for originality in a mobile platform? It's called Nintendo DS It gets more play time than my PC, DC, PS2 and SNES combined.

 

[The Escapist Staff]

Original Comment by: LosBurritos

Nice article. I would hope that Nokia continues it's interest in the mobile gaming industry. There is no market that cannot be conquered. Nokia has certainly done that and with deeper market penetration, a succesful venture into a new business is awaiting the Finnish cellphone company. Targeting casual gamers through a multitude of their phones, sharing a similar base, is a great way to lead.

On a smaller note, the N-Gage and the N-Gage QD had their short-comings but there is a huge community constantly buzzing on about these 2 products. I surely hope Nokia is working on another gaming themed cell phone ... with past mistakes corrected.