Nokia reveals new games, publishers and tools for its mobile gaming platforms
Game Developers Conference 2007, San Francisco, CA - March 5, 2007 - Nokia, the world leader in mobile communications, today announced the latest games and publishers for its new N-Gage mobile gaming platform. Updated software development tools for the N-Gage platform and a new testing program for SNAP Mobile's Java TM platform were also introduced today at the conference. These new developments will help bring fun to play connected mobile gaming experiences to millions of Nokia mobile device owners worldwide.
"We are reinforcing our commitment to this industry with two significant initiatives that will help the mobile games industry evolve. Our N-Gage platform will deliver a global games platform that leverages the performance of the tens of millions of S60 converged devices that we are shipping each year," said Gregg Sauter, Director of Games Publishing, Nokia. "Likewise, our support for Java development continues to evolve with more tools for developers supporting SNAP Mobile."
Sauter will expand on these new developments with a speech at the GDC Mobile sponsored lunch keynote session on Monday 5th March at 1.00pm in Room 134 in the North Hall, Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. The session, titled 'The next generation of the N-Gage platform' will also be available at http://www.forum.nokia.com/gdc and http://www.forum.nokia.com/games later in the week.
New game titles and brands
Nokia introduced a range of games for the new mobile gaming platform including Gameloft's Asphalt 3, Street Rules, Brothers In Arms, Hell's Highway, Brain Challenge, Midnight Pool and EA Mobile's FIFA 2008.
New games publishers on board
Games publishers Glu Mobile, Indiagames and THQ Wireless will be publishing a selection of mobile games and content for the N-Gage games platform. The first Glu title for the platform will be World Series of Poker® Texas Hold'em (WSOP), which allows players to compete at tables with up to eight mobile gamers against WSOP champions such as Chris "Jesus" Ferguson and Scott Fischman.
Latest tools to develop next generation mobile content
Nokia also launched its next generation software development kit (SDK 1.0) for the new N-Gage games platform, which enables developers to focus on one code-base to create social connected games across a range of Nokia S60 3rd edition devices. The new N-Gage Zone provides all the tools, documentation, support and updates required to successfully develop games for the N-Gage games platform.
"The availability of the N-Gage SDK 1.0 today is the corner stone of Nokia's new development eco-system for developers to create connected mobile games in a familiar C++ environment," said Mark Ollila, Director of Technology & Strategy and Nokia Games Publishing, Nokia. "This single development channel impacts positively on development cycles and budgeting as well as creating new social connected gaming experiences that will lead the way to how people discover, buy and play games in the future."
For developer information, visit http://forum.nokia.com/games.
New testing program from SNAP Mobile
Nokia furthers its Java development activities by ensuring all SNAP Mobile connected games offer a consistent game-playing experience with the SNAP Mobile Compliance Testing Program, announced today. This program limits costs by combining a self-testing process with a traditional certification program. It also lowers the barrier of entry to this process and enables growth of high-quality game development by publishers and developers who have signed up for the SNAP Mobile Platform.
During GDC, SNAP Mobile and Forum Nokia will reveal the winners of the Nokia and SingTel Multiplayer Game Quest. Launched in June 2006, this multiplayer Java game development contest on the SNAP Mobile platform encouraged Forum Nokia PRO developers worldwide to develop multiplayer and cross-platform games for Java-enabled devices in one of three categories: cross-platform games, multiplayer games for males, and multiplayer games for females. Winners will receive cash awards, Nokia devices and promotion for their games from Nokia and SingTel Mobile. For more information, visit http://www.fnpro-apac.com/.
For delegates wishing to expand their knowledge in creating connected mobile games for the future, Nokia is holding four developer workshops at GDC.
'Developing next generation mobile content for Nokia platforms' presented by Michael Bergen, Business Development Manager, Nokia. Delegates will receive insight about the new N-Gage platform and learn how to access the various developer offerings.
5th March, 2.00 - 2.45pm, Room 120, North Hall, Moscone Convention Center
'Developing a connected mobile game for J2ME handsets using SNAP Mobile' presented by Matt Levy, Technical Lead & SDK Manager, Nokia. Levy will demonstrate a step-by-step walk-through on developing a connected mobile game for J2ME handsets using SNAP Mobile.
5th March, 3.00 - 3.45pm, Room 120, North Hall, Moscone Convention Center
'The new N-Gage SDK, development tools and platform' presented by Peter Lykke Nielsen, SDK Product Manager, Nokia. Delegates will get an in-depth look into the new N-Gage SDK, development tools and environment.
6th March, 11.45am - 12.30pm, Room 120, North Hall, Moscone Convention Center
'Designing next generation connected games' presented by Scott Foe, Producer, Nokia. Foe will discuss what the next generation of gaming means for Nokia and how to design mobile connected games that take advantage of the latest in technology and push the boundaries of what gaming can become.
7th March, 12.00 - 1.00pm, Room 2024, West Hall, Moscone Convention Center
For the latest N-Gage updates and to create a dialogue with N-Gage gaming enthusiasts, visit Future Watch at http://futurewatch.n-gage.com.
Visit the Nokia N-Gage booth in the West Hall, booth #426 at GDC 2007 from 7 - 9th March, to try out Nokia's next generation mobile gaming platform and to experience game demos on a range of Nokia devices.
About N-Gage
Nokia is an innovator in mobile, interactive entertainment and is re-defining the mobile gaming experience. Starting in 2007, Nokia's N-Gage platform will allow consumers around the world to easily find, buy, play and manage premium quality mobile games on upcoming Nokia Nseries multimedia computers and other Nokia S60 devices. N-Gage offers a global games platform that includes community features that allow users to easily interact with friends and share gaming experiences - anytime, from anywhere. Nokia is working with the world's leading publishers to deliver a broad portfolio of exciting, high quality games.
www.n-gage.com
About SNAP Mobile
Nokia's SNAP Mobile is an industry-leading mobile JavaTM gaming solution that covers middleware and technology, hosting, maintenance, and online community management. It is available to 3rd parties for connected mobile game development and publishing, and also offers mobile game community development to operators. The SNAP Mobile platform currently supports a wide variety of Java MIDP2.0 compliant phones and has a rapidly growing selection of connected mobile games with the variety and level of challenge that appeals to players of all ages. For more information on Nokia's SNAP Mobile, please visit http://snapmobile.nokia.com
About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations. www.nokia.com
Media Enquiries:
Nokia, Multimedia
Communications
Tel. +358 7180 45667
Nokia
Communications
Tel. +358 7180 34900
Email: press.office@nokia.com