Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Angry Birds downloads soar past 100 million across all platforms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/angry-birds-downloads-soar-past-100-million-across-all-platforms/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/angry-birds-downloads-soar-past-100-million-across-all-platforms/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/angry-birds-downloads-soar-past-100-million-across-all-platforms/#comments During a panel at this past weekend's South by Southwest Interactive conference in Austin, Rovio exec Peter Vesterbacka told attendees that the company's bird-flinging pig terrorizer, Angry Birds, has been downloaded over 100 million times. As Vesterbacka revealed during GDC, more than 30 million of those downloads have been of the game's freemium Android version, and both the lite and paid versions topped 2010's iOS charts. Since its release on PSN in January, Angry Birds has also dominated PlayStation Minis sales. So many scared pigs!

During his presentation, Vesterbacka went on to make a somewhat dubious claim, however, saying, "Tablets are killing consoles. Four generations of new tablets come before a new console, if one ever comes." While hardware iteration of tablets has certainly been speedier than that of consoles, we don't see tablets "killing" the home console market anytime soon. Nokia interim VP of services Tero Ojanpera apparently agrees with us, as he countered Vesterbacka by arguing that, despite the iPad 2's ability to output 1080p video, most folks won't ever plug their tablet devices into their televisions.

Not to mention, Vesterbacka and company recently hired Remedy co-founder Petri Järvilehto to spearhead Angry Birds expansion to consoles. "We want to make Angry Birds a long-lasting global gaming franchise, and we see the console platforms as a way of delivering an even more entertaining, powerful and involving experience," Rovio CEO Mikael Hed said last month in an announcement of the company's intention "to take the Angry Birds success story to current and emerging console platforms."

JoystiqAngry Birds downloads soar past 100 million across all platforms originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry-birdsdownloadsmicrosoftminismobilenintendonokiapeter-vesterbackaplaystationps3psnpsproviosalessonysxsw-2011tero-ojanperaMon, 14 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live coming to Nokia phones through Windows Phone partnership]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/xbox-live-coming-to-nokia-phones-through-windows-phone-partnersh/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/xbox-live-coming-to-nokia-phones-through-windows-phone-partnersh/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/xbox-live-coming-to-nokia-phones-through-windows-phone-partnersh/#comments Microsoft and Nokia have entered a "broad strategic partnership" under which the phone maker will adopt Windows Phone as its "principal smartphone strategy," the two companies announced today. While Nokia didn't highlight Xbox Live in its roll call of some of the broader terms of the deal, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer -- with a bit of a practiced grin -- did namedrop the cross-platform gaming service in a short video announcement.

"In this partnership with Nokia," Ballmer concisely summed up, "Microsoft brings its Windows Phone software and the brands that mobile consumers want, like Bing, Office and, of course, Xbox Live."

JoystiqXbox Live coming to Nokia phones through Windows Phone partnership originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmobilenokiasmartphonesteve-ballmerwindows-phonewindows-phone-7xboxxbox-liveFri, 11 Feb 2011 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Nintendo and Nokia once engaged in planning a console together]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/report-nintendo-and-nokia-once-engaged-in-planning-a-console-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/report-nintendo-and-nokia-once-engaged-in-planning-a-console-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/13/report-nintendo-and-nokia-once-engaged-in-planning-a-console-to/#comments
[Goteking]
Pocket Gamer reports that a "development source" told the site that Nintendo and Nokia worked on a "skunkworks" phone project in the early 2000s. The two companies collaborated on R&D for a proposed phone-console hybrid, before the release of the N-Gage, and while Nintendo was apparently doing early research for the DS.

The project was ongoing until it was shown to the Nintendo board of directors, who rejected it. "You have to remember Nintendo is a very conservative company," the anonymous developer told Pocket Gamer. "It always has various R&D projects on the go, but most of them are eventually rejected. It's just how it operates." Conservative, maybe, but to even consider supplementing or supplanting the Game Boy line with a cell phone back then is a bit out there. Consider Sony Ericsson, who are reportedly working on a PlayStation phone this year.

In any case, if the research went on to inform Nokia's development of the N-Gage, it would seem Nintendo made the right call in just making the DS instead.

JoystiqReport: Nintendo and Nokia once engaged in planning a console together originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsmobilen-gagenintendoNokiaFri, 13 Aug 2010 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia's new mobile racer turns your neighborhood into a speedway]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/nokias-new-mobile-racer-turns-your-neighborhood-into-a-speedway/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/nokias-new-mobile-racer-turns-your-neighborhood-into-a-speedway/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/nokias-new-mobile-racer-turns-your-neighborhood-into-a-speedway/#comments Released as a free download for owners of its Symbian^1 based phones (including the N97 and Nokia 5800 Navigation Edition), Nokia's Ovi Maps Racing uses GPS and satellite map data to let players create courses based on nearby streets. The game, developed by RedLynx (Trials HD), is a top-down racer reminiscent of, well, the company's own DrawRace.

We've seen games that utilize satellite maps for their levels before -- most notably (and recently) Sony's The Last Guy -- but the user-focused creation element of this title is certainly an intriguing one. Check out a video of Ovi Maps Racing after the break, and, if you have the game, let us know how it is in comments.

[Via Engadget]

Continue reading Nokia's new mobile racer turns your neighborhood into a speedway

JoystiqNokia's new mobile racer turns your neighborhood into a speedway originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gpsmobile-gamingnokiaovi-maps-racingWed, 03 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo investigating possible copyright infringement in new Nokia smartphone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/29/nintendo-investigating-possible-copyright-infringement-in-new-no/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/29/nintendo-investigating-possible-copyright-infringement-in-new-no/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/29/nintendo-investigating-possible-copyright-infringement-in-new-no/#comments
Nintendo's says it will investigate possible copyright infringement in Nokia's N900 smartphone after a Nokia blog post showcased the device playing retro games through the use of an emulator application. According to Edge, the video (which is no longer available) featured someone playing Super Mario World and Super Mario Bros. 3, and also showed off buttons that supposedly opened emulators for Nintendo's Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, NES and SNES.

Nintendo UK PR manager Robert Saunders told Edge the company was unaware of the smartphone's emulation feature and stated that Nintendo would take "rigorous steps" to protect its intellectual property. "Our legal team will examine this to determine if any infringement has taken place," Saunders added. Even if the feature ends up on the cutting room floor, we imagine some crafty hackers are already taking steps to get emulation software working on the Nokia device. Just like they do with everything else.

JoystiqNintendo investigating possible copyright infringement in new Nokia smartphone originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesscopyrightcopyright-infringementemulationintellectual-propertylegalnintendonokiaromsSun, 29 Nov 2009 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia announces the death of the N-Gage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/nokia-announces-the-death-of-the-n-gage/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/nokia-announces-the-death-of-the-n-gage/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/nokia-announces-the-death-of-the-n-gage/#comments
 This is going to come as a huge shock to you, but Nokia has announced that it's no longer supporting the N-Gage platform. It's just -- we never expected something like this to happen, to tell you the truth. For all intents and purposes, it seemed like the N-Gage would be around forever, a platform thriving in the portable space like no device has before it. Look at the iPhone, the DS, the PSP and even the fallen Gizmondo and it's quite apparent the N-Gage has always been the platform to beat.

Even though Nokia will halt all support for the N-Gage, it's still going to roll up all of its games into the Ovi Store, where N-Gage users will be able to access the content until September 2010. Just, uh, don't expect any new games over the next year, as Nokia will not be publishing anything for the device from here on out and any games that use community features will have those features disabled come September 2010. Anything you purchased is yours to keep, of course.

Now, if you'll excuse us, we're going to pour one out for the bounty of amazing games that we'll no longer get to play.

[Via Engadget]

JoystiqNokia announces the death of the N-Gage originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>n-gagenokiaFri, 30 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia closes up N-Gage dev studio]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/13/nokia-closes-up-n-gage-dev-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/13/nokia-closes-up-n-gage-dev-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/13/nokia-closes-up-n-gage-dev-studio/#comments
When you're writing your first post about a gaming platform in nine months, it's very rarely good news. For example, all it's taken for the N-Gage to get back on Joystiq's front page is the closure of Nokia's N-Gage development studio, which occurred on June 30. The group was responsible for porting major franchises to the system like Call of Duty, Tiger Woods and Tony Hawk.

The fate of the 100 or so employees at the Vancouver studio isn't clear at the moment, but we heard about some jobs opening up in their land -- if they don't mind traveling 4,374 km to get them.

JoystiqNokia closes up N-Gage dev studio originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mobilen-gagenokiaphonesMon, 13 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony and Nintendo sued for wireless tech]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/24/sony-and-nintendo-sued-for-wireless-tech/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/24/sony-and-nintendo-sued-for-wireless-tech/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/24/sony-and-nintendo-sued-for-wireless-tech/#comments
There are two ways to get a slice of the delicious Nintendo money pie: (1) Release a collection of mini-games for the Wii (look for Non-Denominational Church Carnival Games coming from Joystiq Publishing in Q3 2009!); or (2) Sue Nintendo. This road less traveled (option 2) has just been taken by Wall Wireless LLC of Plano, Texas, which is also suing Sony and Nokia for allegedly infringing on its patent for "Method and Apparatus for Creating and Distributing Real-Time Interactive Media Content Through Wireless Communication Networks and the Internet."

Perhaps following the advice of some inspirational kitty poster, Wall Wireless refuses to limit its potential by naming an actual figure it's suing for; instead asking for "no less than a reasonable royalty." Good luck with the settlement, fellas!

JoystiqSony and Nintendo sued for wireless tech originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSlawsuitsNintendonokiawirelessTue, 24 Feb 2009 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Resident Evil: Degeneration game infecting N-Gage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/19/resident-evil-degeneration-game-infecting-n-gage/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/19/resident-evil-degeneration-game-infecting-n-gage/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/19/resident-evil-degeneration-game-infecting-n-gage/#commentsFiled under:


Beware citizens, for it would appear that the T-Virus has mutated, and has now taken to resurrecting not only the recently deceased, but also mobile platforms thought long since dead. Or at the very least irrelevant. Gamasutra reports that Capcom is bringing a game based on its upcoming CGI flick, Resident Evil: Degeneration, to Nokia's N-Gage service, which (re)launched earlier this year and is available on multiple Nokia smartphones.

According to the report, the movie tie-in will feature two separate modes of play and 3D graphics designed to both show off the platform's capabilities and illustrate Capcom's "dedication to N-Gage," a fascination we imagine will blur the line between devotion and necrophilia when the title launches later this year.

JoystiqResident Evil: Degeneration game infecting N-Gage originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 23:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcommobilen-gagengagenokiaresident-evilresident-evil-degenerationresidentevilFri, 19 Sep 2008 23:35:00 EST<![CDATA[N-Gage application finally launches]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/n-gage-application-finally-launches/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/n-gage-application-finally-launches/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/n-gage-application-finally-launches/#commentsFiled under: , ,


After months of delays and agonizing, nail-biting anticipation, Nokia's N-Gage platform has finally launched, with a handful of games supported on five different Nokia phones.

The official announcement of the platform is due on Monday, but Nokia has gone ahead and flipped the switch before the weekend, in the interest of drumming up some early traffic. The application is compatible with Nokia's N81, N81 8GB, N82, N95, and N95 8GB phones, and at this time only five games are available, including Brain Challenge, System Rush: Evolution, and World Series of Poker. All games offer free trials, and can be purchased from directly from the computer once the N-Gage account is created on the mobile phone.

More games are listed as "coming soon," including Worms World Party, Sims 2 Pets, and the ever-ubiquitous Tetris. If any of you have had a chance to install and try out the N-Gage app on your Nokia handsets, let us know your thoughts in the comments. We're quite curious if it was all worth the wait.

JoystiqN-Gage application finally launches originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mobilen-gagenokiaFri, 04 Apr 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia isn't afraid of the non-existent PSP Phone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/nokia-isnt-afraid-of-the-non-existant-psp-phone/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/nokia-isnt-afraid-of-the-non-existant-psp-phone/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/nokia-isnt-afraid-of-the-non-existant-psp-phone/#commentsFiled under:

Whether the PSP Phone is in development or not, Nokia doesn't care. They're not afraid. When asked what he thought of the idea of the PSP Phone Jaakko Kaidesoja, head of Nokia Games, responded that he's "not scared about anybody." He goes on to say that "the real question is how do they [Sony Ericsson] do it? Can they create a link between the PSP games and a phone? Can they do the multiplayer and online stuff? We've been doing this for two years and it hasn't been easy."

Good questions! The N-Gage mobile gaming platform actually looks like it's shaping up and Sony hasn't even officially announced a PSP Phone. We'll be intrigued to see if anything comes of all these rumors but, in the end, we'll probably just stick to our PSPs. Nokia have nothing to be afraid about, and why should they with technology like Morph in the works?

[Via Gizmonews]

JoystiqNokia isn't afraid of the non-existent PSP Phone originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nokiapsp-phoneFri, 29 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Nokia talks N-Gage, First Access, release date, N95]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/gdc08-nokia-talks-n-gage-first-access-release-date-n95/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/gdc08-nokia-talks-n-gage-first-access-release-date-n95/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/18/gdc08-nokia-talks-n-gage-first-access-release-date-n95/#commentsFiled under: ,


Following a short overview on the state of the N-Gage platform, we had a chance to ask J. Dan Scott - the Global Head of Production for Nokia Game Publishing - a few questions about the platform and the nebulous launch date. First up, Scott said there's no solid release date for the service -- the First Access program is supposed to help iron out any kinks in the admittedly ambitious launch. Launched earlier this month, the First Access program was initially limited to just the Nokia N81 handset, to limit the testing concerns, Scott said. Nevertheless, the internet had other plans, quickly enabling functionality on the N95 handset which, curiously enough, Scott said accounted for more than half of the connections to the service.

Roughly 30K users have downloaded the client to date - far more than the 2K or so Scott anticipated - and those early adopters have purchased "thousands" of games, a conversion rate that also impressed Scott (though he did admit these consumers are particularly passionate about games). The largest challenge: getting out of the mobile industry's "landfill stage" and prove to consumers (and skeptical game bloggers!) that quality gaming is possible on a mobile handset, while proving to third-party publishers that investing in developing quality games can be a lucrative endeavor. Yikes, best of luck!

JoystiqGDC08: Nokia talks N-Gage, First Access, release date, N95 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dan-ScottFirst-AccessGDCGDC08MobileN-GageN95NokiaMon, 18 Feb 2008 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia announces user-generated mini-games for new N-Gage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/nokia-announces-user-generated-mini-games-for-new-n-gage/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/nokia-announces-user-generated-mini-games-for-new-n-gage/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/nokia-announces-user-generated-mini-games-for-new-n-gage/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Personalization is all the rage in games these days, what with Miis, face-mapping and, er, laser-etched portables showing up all over the place. Now Nokia's jumping into the personalized gaming, uh, game with the Yamake initiative for the new N-Gage platform.

According to the announcement, Yamake mini-games (because "ya make" 'em ... get it?) will lets users add "personal content such as text, pictures, sound clips and movies from the mobile device or PC" to create picture puzzles, trivia quizzes and more. Sure, it doesn't sound like anything you can't already do online, but the ability to create and share these little personalized games easily on your phone might be cool. Trust us ... even if you don't get it, your little sister will love it.

[Via Engadget]

JoystiqNokia announces user-generated mini-games for new N-Gage originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellularmobileN-GageNokiaPCpersonalizedphonephone gamePhoneGameyamakeThu, 14 Feb 2008 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia delays N-Gage service ... again]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/nokia-delays-n-gage-service-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/nokia-delays-n-gage-service-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/28/nokia-delays-n-gage-service-again/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Nokia's new N-Gage-as-gaming-platform concept was originally supposed to blow our minds in September ... and then November ... and then December ... and now - according to a Reuters report published today - it will be delayed into "early 2008" due to "delays in software testing." Nokia spokesperson Karen Tuutti explained, "We found one more issue which had to be solved before we could open the service." We presume that would be the issue of convincing gamers to pay any attention to the now comically delayed service.

JoystiqNokia delays N-Gage service ... again originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 21:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MobileN-GageNokiaFri, 28 Dec 2007 21:20:00 EST<![CDATA[N-Gage platform nearing relaunch; pre-release available on Nokia N81]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/n-gage-platform-nearing-relaunch-pre-release-available-on-nokia/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/n-gage-platform-nearing-relaunch-pre-release-available-on-nokia/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/n-gage-platform-nearing-relaunch-pre-release-available-on-nokia/#commentsFiled under: , ,


They've certainly been taking their time with it, but Nokia is finally just about ready to re-launch the N-Gage gaming platform for mobile phones... kinda. This week, a pre-release version of the service will become available to owners of the Nokia N81 phone, along with at least one game title available for download.

The revamped N-Gage service offers a consistent platform for mobile gaming, with features like profiles, friends lists, achievements, play history, and others seemingly "appropriated" from Microsoft's Xbox Live service.

Nokia has not been more specific as to when the pre-release service will launch for the N81. The full service is also expected to start sometime this month, but Nokia has also not been more specific with this time-frame either.

JoystiqN-Gage platform nearing relaunch; pre-release available on Nokia N81 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mobilen-gagenokiarelaunchTue, 18 Dec 2007 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[N-Gage relaunch pushed back to December]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/05/n-gage-relaunch-pushed-back-to-december/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/05/n-gage-relaunch-pushed-back-to-december/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/05/n-gage-relaunch-pushed-back-to-december/#commentsFiled under: ,


Those of you clamoring for the glorious return of Nokia's N-Gage brand (both of you) will have to wait a little longer to enjoy the unified-cell-phone-gaming-platform goodness. Originally planned for a September launch, Nokia later announced a worldwide November launch for the platform, and now a Reuters story reveals the launch has been pushed back to December. "Software testing is taking a bit more time than what we had expected," Nokia spokesperson Kari Tuutti told the news agency. "We are talking about a couple of weeks."

While the N-Gage name has become a bit of a joke in gaming circles, the new focus on standardized games that can play on a variety of handsets has some potential. Here's hoping Nokia manages to make us care about cell phone gaming again for the first time when this thing finally sees the light of day.

JoystiqN-Gage relaunch pushed back to December originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delayMobileN-GagenokiarelaunchMon, 05 Nov 2007 14:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia unveils N-Gage gaming platform]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/29/nokia-unveils-n-gage-gaming-platform/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/29/nokia-unveils-n-gage-gaming-platform/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/29/nokia-unveils-n-gage-gaming-platform/#commentsFiled under:

The N-Gage (hardware) is dead, long live the N-Gage (platform). While not a surprise, Nokia has officially unveiled its new mobile gaming incarnation.
The service will launch globally this November, where you can download the free client to your computer and subsequently installed onto compatible Nokia devices. According to the press release, all games will be free to demo, cost between six and 10 euros (approx. US $8 to $14) and feature online play against friends or random opponents via the N-Gage Arena.

Electronic Arts is currently showing the most support to the system, with Capcom and Vivendi also pledging to provide mobile titles.

According to the website, each player will have a their own profile with achievements and points. Most everything about the new service reeks of Xbox Live, in a very good way. The first phones to be compatible will be Nokia models N73, N81, N93 and N95, with more S60 models to be compatible at a later date.

[Via Engadget]

JoystiqNokia unveils N-Gage gaming platform originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Aug 2007 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MobilengagenokiaWed, 29 Aug 2007 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Promotional Consideration: Come As You Are]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/15/promotional-consideration-come-as-you-are/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/15/promotional-consideration-come-as-you-are/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/15/promotional-consideration-come-as-you-are/#commentsFiled under:

Promotional Consideration is a weekly feature about the Nintendo DS advertisements you usually flip past, change the channel on, or just tune out.

If you missed our spotlight on Leo Burnett's "Communion Day" ad last Sunday, make sure to give it a glance. Even if you've already skimmed through our words on the award-winning piece, we've updated our summation with some insight from art director Rosemary Collini Bosso.

This weekend's installment of Promotional Consideration takes a critical eye to an unconvincing ad that might actually drive away consumers. Read on for more details.

Continue reading Promotional Consideration: Come As You Are

JoystiqPromotional Consideration: Come As You Are originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 15 Jul 2007 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsadvertisementadvertisementsconsiderationdsguitarguitarsjam sessionsJamSessionsmagazinenintendonintendo dsnintendo powerNintendoDsNintendoPowernokiapenny arcadePennyArcadeplatopromotionalpromotional considerationPromotionalConsiderationubisoftSun, 15 Jul 2007 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[New N-Gage game coming to mobile phones and PCs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/02/new-n-gage-game-coming-to-mobile-phones-and-pcs/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/02/new-n-gage-game-coming-to-mobile-phones-and-pcs/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/02/new-n-gage-game-coming-to-mobile-phones-and-pcs/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Don't be confused: Nokia's N-Gage gaming platform isn't the same as its ill-fated hardware iterations of the same name. And while sidetalking might be a thing of the past, Nokia's still confident that the N-Gage name can live on in mobile phone games, especially as a client for facilitating online play.

That said, Pocket Gamer reports that Nokia is working on a new title for the N-Gage platform, which will be playable not just on mobile phones, but on PCs as well. The game, codenamed "Project White Rock," is being developed by RedLynx, makers of the well-received wartime strategy title Pathway to Glory. The team is also being led by Scott Foe, who previously worked on Pocket Kingdom: 0wn the the W0rld, notable for its equally positive press and for being the first ever mobile phone MMO.

Though little is known about "Project White Rock", Foe did inform Pocket Gamer that the title will feature over a thousand lines of recorded dialog, and will utilize unique technology purchased from Sega that will allow the mobile version to connect with the PC version. Details pertaining to the game's specific genre, multi-platform connectivity, and release date are as yet unknown, but will most likely come forth when the game is officially announced.

JoystiqNew N-Gage game coming to mobile phones and PCs originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mobilen-gagengagenokiaPCpocketgamersMon, 02 Jul 2007 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia patent transforms stylus into joystick]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/nokia-patent-transforms-stylus-into-joystick/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/nokia-patent-transforms-stylus-into-joystick/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/22/nokia-patent-transforms-stylus-into-joystick/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

nokiaNokia's patent for a simple, but brilliant mobile joystick has been approved. As pictured, it's a stylus that, once secured into a central socket, is converted into a gaming backbone. Here's the patent mumbo jumbo:

"A method for integrating a pointing device into a handheld device, the method comprising the steps of: rotatably mounting a ball within a socket defined by said handheld device, said ball defining an orifice for receiving a stylus, said socket being configured for generating to a processor of said handheld device electrical signals indicative of movement of said ball in response to movement of said stylus; and imparting pointing device logic to said processor for responding to said signals." (Easier done than said...)

[Via CrunchGear]

JoystiqNokia patent transforms stylus into joystick originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CellPhoneHandheldJoystickMobileNokiaPatentStylusThu, 22 Feb 2007 14:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia to release new N-Gage this September]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/05/nokia-to-release-new-n-gage-this-september/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/05/nokia-to-release-new-n-gage-this-september/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/05/nokia-to-release-new-n-gage-this-september/#commentsFiled under: , ,

You don't have to tell Nokia that the original N-Gage was not the success they had imagined. They already know. That won't stop them from giving it the ol' college try as Nokia plans on rolling out a new N-Gage by this September.

In a brief statement on the official N-Gage blog, Nokia makes mention of a September release amidst reassuring that more than two publishers are on board for the new platform.

At the moment, only EA Mobile and Gameloft have known commitments for the new N-Gage with both publishers having already released titles for the original device. With Gameloft holding the lucrative Totally Spies license, we can only cross our fingers and hope for a next generation N-Gage follow-up.

JoystiqNokia to release new N-Gage this September originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Feb 2007 07:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea mobileEaMobilegameloftn-gagengagenokiatotally spiesTotallySpiesMon, 05 Feb 2007 07:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Look out, Nintendo -- the N-Gage is coming (again)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/01/look-out-nintendo-the-n-gage-is-coming-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/01/look-out-nintendo-the-n-gage-is-coming-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/01/look-out-nintendo-the-n-gage-is-coming-again/#commentsFiled under:

Since failing in a spectacular fashion is so much fun that they wanted to do it again, Nokia is gunning hard for their second generation N-Gage, according to UK site Pocket Gamer. If you haven't been following the story, this time Nokia's not attempting to make a dedicated handheld-phone hybrid, but rather a platform for gaming that can be used with their N-series smart phones. Is that a better recipe for success? It will depend on the execution, of course, but apparently Nokia's been meeting with some big developers lately and they have plans to reveal the platform at next month's Game Developers Conference.

They are, obviously, fixing some of last round's mistakes; if there's no dedicated handheld and the service is supported by downloadable games, then gamers will have no reason to complain about having to completely dismantle the device just to change games. On the other hand, we figure it's probably safe to assume that most gamers with smart phones already have a handheld they love and cherish, so at best this may free up a pocket. What do you think, DS gamers? While a download service would certainly be a nice thing to have on our handheld (we're looking at you, Virtual Console), is the new N-Gage platform a threat to our dual-screened beauty?

JoystiqLook out, Nintendo -- the N-Gage is coming (again) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>download serviceDownloadServiceDSGame Developers ConferenceGameDevelopersConferenceGDCN-GageNintendoNokiasmart phoneSmartPhoneThu, 01 Feb 2007 15:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Sony attends meeting on new N-Gage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/30/rumor-sony-attends-meeting-on-new-n-gage/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/30/rumor-sony-attends-meeting-on-new-n-gage/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/30/rumor-sony-attends-meeting-on-new-n-gage/#commentsFiled under:


People like to say the PSP is a failure. That would be incorrect. Calling the first N-Gage a failure, on the other hand, is quite apt. We reported back in November that Nokia was interested in making a comeback into the games arena with yet another N-Gage. In the era of the iPhone, a $600 convergence machine that can make calls and play games doesn't seem so outrageous. Does Nokia have what it takes to pull it off?

If Pocket Gamer is to be believed, it appears many top-name publishers are interested in Nokia's latest device. Supposedly, Nokia held a "top secret" two-day event, which was attended by big-name publishers, such as Sega, Square Enix, Capcom, THQ, EA, Tecmo, Namco, Vivendi ... and Sony. What? If this "top secret" meeting didn't seem fishy enough, Sony's presence makes it even more obvious that Pocket Gamer's reporting is downright inaccurate. Why would Sony want to work on a platform that directly competes against the PSP? (Of course, history buffs will remember that Sony did go on to make at least one game for a Nintendo platform.)

If by some chance this mysterious Nokia meeting did happen, and Sony happened to be there, we'd like to think they're simply trying to get ideas for the rumored PSP phone. The validity of Pocket Gamer's claim will be tested next week, during a new conference that will supposedly happen in Madrid.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqRumor: Sony attends meeting on new N-Gage originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>n-gagengagenokiapocket gamerPocketGamerrumorTue, 30 Jan 2007 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Next-gen N-Gage garners interest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/30/rumor-next-gen-n-gage-garners-interest/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/30/rumor-next-gen-n-gage-garners-interest/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/30/rumor-next-gen-n-gage-garners-interest/#commentsFiled under:

Remember the N-Gage? Some of you may even have one in a dusty drawer, yearning for some love. Handheld website Pocket Gamers claims that Nokia held a two-day "top-secret workshop" in Santa Monica so that publishers and developers could have a look-see at the next-generation version of N-Gage.

The list of companies present include Square Enix, Capcom, Sega and Sony Online Entertainment, among others. However, how Pocket Gamers managed to obtain "top secret" information makes this very suspect, not to mention SOE's presence, who would likely only show up as reconnaissance for Sony's own handheld, the PSP. The article further claims that another two-day workshop is being planned in Madrid to show the new N-Gage to European companies and that Nokia will publicly unveil the new handheld at this year's Game Developer's Conference.

Noting that Nokia had an E3 2006 booth showing off some N-Gage titles, despite abysmal sales, it is plausible that the phone company is working on N-Gage 2.0 and is looking to garner some third-party interest; however, we don't want N-Gage fanboys (population: 3 or 4, maybe) to look at this story as definitive lore. We'll see if anything new comes our way leading up to GDC.

[Via Eurogamer]

JoystiqRumor: Next-gen N-Gage garners interest originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomn gagen-gageNGagenokiarumorrumorssegasonysquare enixSquareEnixTue, 30 Jan 2007 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia re-entering handheld gaming arena, looks to beat Sony and Nintendo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/01/nokia-re-entering-handheld-gaming-arena-looks-to-beat-sony-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/01/nokia-re-entering-handheld-gaming-arena-looks-to-beat-sony-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/01/nokia-re-entering-handheld-gaming-arena-looks-to-beat-sony-and/#commentsFiled under:

Nokia, those folks responsible for the near-useless N-Gage system, have apparently learned from their mistakes and are looking to take consumers away from Sony's PSP and Nintendo's DS. According to the company, publishers and developers have already signed on with their next-gen wave of mobile phones. According to Nokia's head of games for UK and Ireland Martin O'Driscoll, gamers will be forced to choose between Nokia, Sony's PSP, or Nintendo's DS:

"The consumer will have to make a decision: does he wants a standalone gaming device with a limited browsing capability or a phone with an MP3 player, a camera and a bloody good games platform? I think consumers will be prepared to spend £300 on a phone that offers all those different things rather than £100 to £150 for a standalone games machine."

So how do you feel? Given the DS' library of excellent games, something we've always thought made the platform, should it really feel threatened by a company's second attempt at creating a viable handheld platform? Even one that will, supposedly, have twice the amount of features for almost twice the money?

JoystiqNokia re-entering handheld gaming arena, looks to beat Sony and Nintendo originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Dec 2006 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dslitenintendonintendodsnintendodslitenokiaplaystationplaystationportableportablepspsonysonypspFri, 01 Dec 2006 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia to re-enter games market, compete against PSP & DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/29/nokia-to-re-enter-games-market-compete-against-psp-and-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/29/nokia-to-re-enter-games-market-compete-against-psp-and-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/29/nokia-to-re-enter-games-market-compete-against-psp-and-ds/#commentsFiled under:


"The consumer will have to make a decision: does he want a standalone gaming device with a limited browsing capability or a phone with an MP3 player, a camera and a bloody good games platform? I think consumers will be prepared to spend £300 on a phone that offers all those different things rather than £100 to £150 for a standalone games machine."

Martin O'Driscoll, the new head of Nokia's games division, is getting ready for a fight, according to Mobile Entertainment. After the colossal failure called the "N-Gage," Nokia is ready to go back into the portable games market, reinvigorated. As previously reported, it appears that Nokia will attempt to one-up Sony's strategy with the PSP, by offering even more functionality than Sony's portable. However, one should make note that more features doesn't necessarily equate to more sales, as the DS has proven in the handheld wars.

Will Nokia be able to survive a battle against Sony and Nintendo? Maybe, maybe not. However, if gaming cell phones catch on, Sony's sure to have backup ready.

[Via Esato]

JoystiqNokia to re-enter games market, compete against PSP & DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Nov 2006 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cell phoneCellPhonemartin o'driscollMartinO'driscollmobilen-gagengagenokiaphoneWed, 29 Nov 2006 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Buy an N-Gage, seriously]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/07/buy-an-n-gage-serioulsy/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/07/buy-an-n-gage-serioulsy/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/07/buy-an-n-gage-serioulsy/#commentsFiled under:

N-GageThat's the gist of Modojo's latest feature, at least. Apparently, you can score a factory sealed N-Gage QD for a mere $20 -- remember, it still functions as a mobile phone -- and games frequent the bargain bins for as little as $5 (there are only about 50). So, theoretically, you could own the entire N-Gage library for around $250.

Still, we're certain there are more fulfilling $270 gaming experiences to be had than with what you'd get out of a clunky phone and a pile of so -so games. But if you've exhausted all other portable options, and you've yet to try out Nokia's failed experiment, perhaps, we repeat, perhaps now's the time. Then again, maybe you should consider digging up the Zodiac instead.

JoystiqBuy an N-Gage, seriously originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Aug 2006 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>N-GageNokiaMon, 07 Aug 2006 17:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Cell phones to become 'joysticks' of the future]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/22/cell-phones-to-become-joysticks-of-the-future/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/22/cell-phones-to-become-joysticks-of-the-future/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/22/cell-phones-to-become-joysticks-of-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nokia 6640Researchers in New Zealand have demonstrated how two Nokia Series 60 cell phones can be used to play a virtual tennis game. Like current mobile games, the action takes place on the phone's display. Only in AR* Tennis, players primarily use physical motions to control the flow of the game.

To begin the game, players sit at a table across from each other, and a piece of paper is placed between them, representing the boundaries of the tennis court. Players serve the ball by pressing a number on the keypad. Serves are returned with a simple swing of the phone. Players know they've made contact when the phones vibrate and project a sound.

The similarities between this format and Wii are obvious and could be signaling the beginnings of the next big trend in gaming. But, as associate professor in interactive and intelligent computing at Georgia Tech Blair MacIntyre points out, "The big question is whether folks can design compelling games using [this technology]."

*Augmented Reality.

JoystiqCell phones to become 'joysticks' of the future originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jun 2006 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>augmented realityAugmentedRealityNokiaWiiThu, 22 Jun 2006 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC: Games to tackle abortion, obesity, ADD, and wall climbing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/21/gdc-games-to-tackle-abortion-obesity-add-and-wall-climbing/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/21/gdc-games-to-tackle-abortion-obesity-add-and-wall-climbing/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/21/gdc-games-to-tackle-abortion-obesity-add-and-wall-climbing/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

wall climbingMTV's Stephen Totilo reports on big ideas coming out of the annual Game Developers Conference. Forget the next-gen hoopla expected from Sony and Nintendo later this week, yesterday was all about "Serious Games." Take, for example, an abortion game being developed by Georgia Tech's Experimental Game Lab, where mini-games range from "find a condom" to balancing your reputation with friends, your baby's health and your future earning power. Georgia Tech's Ian Bogost claims that the game's real innovation is its ability to present multiple angles of an issue. The game is designed to change depending on a given player's biases. So, if a player is shown to express pro-life tendencies, the game will stress the importance of personal responsibility and adoption.

Also on tap were presentations that featured GPS-enabled cell phone games that encourage obese youths to actively explore their neighborhoods while hunting for virtual prizes, technology that monitors players' brainwaves and rewards those that are paying attention, and a climbing wall that doubles as a game controller.

JoystiqGDC: Games to tackle abortion, obesity, ADD, and wall climbing originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Mar 2006 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Experimental Game LabExperimentalGameLabGame Developers ConferenceGameDevelopersConferenceGDCNokiaPersuasive GamesPersuasiveGamesPS2Sonic StudioSonicStudioXboxTue, 21 Mar 2006 14:30:00 EST