Nokia unveils next-generation mobile game dev tools
Evolution of N-Gage platform revealed to first party developers
Nokia has demonstrated its next-generation mobile games development tools, which were originally announced at the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo in May, to first party developers.
During the inaugural next generation mobile gaming workshops in Helsinki at the beginning of December, sixteen first party developers were invited to experience and discuss first hand the evolution of the N-Gage platform. The two day workshops gave developers a chance to engage with the new tools, discussing directly with Nokia any issues relating to game design, middleware, tools, certification, software developer support, hardware and the continuation of the acclaimed connected gaming experience through the N-Gage Arena.
Kamar Shah, head of industry marketing, games at Nokia, commented: "Working with first party developers at each workshop is a crucial initial step to introduce the new end-to-end gaming platform. Our first party developers have already worked on the N-Gage platform and know how to push the boundaries of mobile gaming to ensure that our next generation mobile gaming platform offers a plethora of rich, immersive mobile gaming experiences from launch."
The Finnish giant recently admitted that its N-Gage handheld gaming device had failed to meet the company's performance and sales targets, in spite of continued support from Nokia and its partners, and the recent launch of a new line of accessories and exclusive gaming content for the device.
Plans to implement the N-Gage gaming technology in a much wider range of series 60 mobile handsets have long been rumoured, though Nokia had so far declined to reveal any concrete details for the roll out of the new development platform.
Focusing on advanced 3D gaming compatible with a broad range of handsets, Nokia hopes to recapture a potentially enormous consumer market by removing the limitations imposed by the single N-Gage deck. Developers can incorporate connected gaming features to tap into the rapidly expanding mobile gaming community, and offer user-friendly search, purchase and installation of high-quality games across a selection of compatible devices.
Laszlo Molnar, designer and project manager, Bonus.com, was present at the event, stating: "The workshop has been a great forum for all the developers to ask some straight questions and receive straight answers. Nokia has a very visible commitment to the mobile games industry, and provides confidence to us games developers for the next generation gaming platform."
Nokia has confirmed that it will continue to produce the beleaguered N-Gage game deck, primarily for the Chinese and Indian markets. New, exclusive game content will continue to be developed, licensed and published for the device.
A further development tool workshop event is planned as part of the 2006 Game Developers conference in San Jose, California.
