Nokia N-GageTM game deck expands its game portfolio with new interactive titles

Nokia announced today new compelling game titles for the Nokia N-GageTM game deck at the annual E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) in Los Angeles, California. The Nokia N-Gage is an innovative mobile game deck device that creates an entirely new market for time, place and context sensitive game genres. Built for active and hard-core gamers, the Nokia N-Gage allows for online, mobile, multiplayer game play with today's hottest titles. In addition to gaming, the Nokia N-Gage mobile game deck also features a digital music player (MP3/AAC), stereo FM radio, as well as a tri-band GSM 900/1800/1900 mobile phone.

 

Several blockbuster launch titles will be available for the Nokia N-Gage. Tomb Raider Starring Lara CroftTM from Eidos has been extended to include such mobile gaming services as advanced wirelessly networked gaming as well as the ability for players to direct, edit and share their own cinematic gameplay sequences over the mobile network. Tom Clancy's Splinter CellTM from Gameloft is the next generation blockbuster adaptation to the Nokia N-Gage, where two players can join together in co-operative mode to solve special situations. Other exciting titles from Gameloft include Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon, Rayman 3 and Marcel Desailly Pro Soccer.

 

"The Nokia N-Gage is creating a unique entertainment platform for the games industry, together with major game publishers, developers, network operators and service providers. For game developers, the prospect of network aware games, operating over Bluetooth and mobile networks, gives new opportunities for innovation. Working with publishers, including Activision, Eidos, Gameloft, Sega, Taito and THQ, we want to create a game portfolio which not only features something familiar, but also totally new game scenarios that gamers haven't seen before," said Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President, Nokia Mobile Phones. "Mobility is the next big thing in games, and the online elements and services will offer modern ways to consume games and connect with gaming communities."

 

Nokia is also acting as a game publisher to create branded Nokia N-Gage game titles as part of the evolving games portfolio. Pathway to Glory, an online warfare community and original Nokia title, is due to be released in spring 2004. 

 

The Nokia N-Gage game deck devices and games (sold separately on game cards using the MultiMediaCard standard) will be available to consumers in volumes across five continents in early October 2003. With roughly 20 game titles available for the holiday shopping season, hot new titles will be added on a regular basis. Nokia N-Gage game deck devices and game titles will be available in major retail outlets, game-specific and video game retail outlets, as well as in regular mobile phone delivery channels in all major markets.

 

The Nokia N-Gage game deck features a high quality color display with backlight, and eight-way direction controller (called the 'Rocker') and an ergonomic design optimized for mobile game play. Games for the Nokia N-Gage game deck, featuring excellent graphics and enhanced sounds, will be sold separately on game cards.

 

Nokia encourages the games industry to publish and develop innovative new concepts for the Nokia N-Gage game deck. Game developers interested in learning more about the Nokia N-Gage game deck, including submitting information about applications for the Nokia N-Gage and other Nokia devices and platforms, can find more information at www.forum.nokia.com/games.