Jon3G
26th May 2005, 06:08 PM
Faced with increased competition from the likes of Sonys forthcoming PSP, Nokia announced last week that it is expanding N-Gage game compatibility across a range of Series-60 smartphones.
According to a senior Nokia source, the new strategy is part of a three-pronged assault on the gaming market. The N-Gage handset will be marketed to customers interested in a dedicated gaming handheld; N-Gage-compatible smartphones will be sold to mid-tier customers; and the lower end of the market will have to make do with Java-enabled handsets and games. The source added that there were no plans to discontinue the dedicated N-Gage handset.
Whether its on an N-Gage games deck or a Nokia smartphone, consumers will have the opportunity to experience connected mobile gaming like never before, said Gerard Wiener, director and general manager of games at Nokia.
We dont consider the N-Gage a competitor, a Sony spokesman said. The PSP is a mobile gaming device first and foremost whereas the N-Gage is essentially a phone with gaming capabilities. It wont have a significant impact on PSP sales one way or the other.
Nokia currently controls over half of the global smartphone market. The first N-Gage-compatible smartphones are expected in the first half of 2006.
According to a senior Nokia source, the new strategy is part of a three-pronged assault on the gaming market. The N-Gage handset will be marketed to customers interested in a dedicated gaming handheld; N-Gage-compatible smartphones will be sold to mid-tier customers; and the lower end of the market will have to make do with Java-enabled handsets and games. The source added that there were no plans to discontinue the dedicated N-Gage handset.
Whether its on an N-Gage games deck or a Nokia smartphone, consumers will have the opportunity to experience connected mobile gaming like never before, said Gerard Wiener, director and general manager of games at Nokia.
We dont consider the N-Gage a competitor, a Sony spokesman said. The PSP is a mobile gaming device first and foremost whereas the N-Gage is essentially a phone with gaming capabilities. It wont have a significant impact on PSP sales one way or the other.
Nokia currently controls over half of the global smartphone market. The first N-Gage-compatible smartphones are expected in the first half of 2006.