N-Gage (service)

Nokia's N-Gage gaming smartphone from 2003 did not perform as well as expected, and its upgraded QD version did not make any significant impact on the N-Gage's reputation. During E3 2005, Nokia announced that they would rebrand the N-Gage platform as a gaming service on several smartphone devices, rather than releasing a specific device.{{Cite news |date=2005-05-18 |title=N-Gage games move to smartphones |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4559389.stm |access-date=2024-09-11 |language=en-GB}}

At E3 2006, Nokia formally announced the N-Gage mobile gaming service, set for a 2007 release and previewed several titles.{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/174143/stop-laughing-at-the-n-gage-dammit|title=Stop Laughing At The N-Gage, Dammit!|last=gizmodo.com|date=16 May 2006 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2006/05/09/n-gage-reborn/|title=N-Gage reborn? - Siliconera|date=9 May 2006}}{{Cite magazine |date=2006 |title=Play While You Commute |url=https://archive.org/details/Animation_Magazine_July_2006 |magazine=Animation Magazine |page=43 |volume=20 |issue=7}} N-Gage was previewed for developers and publishers in January 2007.{{Cite web |last=Editor |first=Robert Purchese Associate |date=2007-01-30 |title=Next-gen N-Gage unveiled |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/next-gen-n-gage-unveiled |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en}} In February 2007, Nokia announced that the service would be piloted in Finland prior to its worldwide launch.{{cite web|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/next-generation-nokia-n-gage-pilot-begins-154993|title=Next-generation Nokia N-Gage pilot begins|date=28 February 2007}}

File:Ngage n81.jpg.]]The N-Gage gaming service was announced to have a "first access" release in December 2007, but it was delayed as Nokia's team were making sure the service ran "smoothly".{{cite web |date=21 December 2007 |title=N-Gage First Access delayed till next year |url=https://techcrunch.com/2007/12/21/n-gage-first-access-delayed-till-next-year/}} By this time, Nokia had attracted a number of third-party publishers, including Electronic Arts, THQ, Gameloft and Capcom.{{Cite web |last=Contributor |date=2007-08-29 |title=The Futurist: The N-Gage Lives! But Can It Survive? |url=https://techcrunch.com/2007/08/29/the-futurist-the-n-gage-lives-but-can-it-survive/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}} Nokia used the tagline Get out and play to promote the platform.{{Cite web |url=http://company.nokia.com/en/news/press-releases/2007/08/29/get-out-and-play-with-n-gage-games-in-your-nokia-device |title=Get out and play - with N-Gage games in your Nokia device | Nokia |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140709181317/http://company.nokia.com/en/news/press-releases/2007/08/29/get-out-and-play-with-n-gage-games-in-your-nokia-device |archive-date=9 July 2014 |url-status=dead}}

A public beta test of the N-Gage application took place from 4 February 2008 to 27 March 2008,{{cite web |date=30 June 2010 |title=N-Gage - Blog |url=http://blog.n-gage.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100630061225/http://blog.n-gage.com/ |archive-date=30 June 2010}} though limited only for the N81.{{cite web |url=http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/faupdate2/ |title=N-Gage First Access Ending Soon |publisher=N-Gage Blog |access-date=20 March 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080322205334/http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/faupdate2/ |archive-date = 22 March 2008}} This period of time was referred to as "First Access" and was a public test of the client which could be downloaded for free from the N-Gage website. While not the final version, the user had access to most of the features that the new application had to offer along with trial versions of three games: Hooked On: Creatures of the Deep, System Rush: Evolution and Space Impact: Kappa Base.{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.tv/n-gage-officially-rolled-out-%E2%80%93-finally/news|title=N-Gage officially rolled out – finally|access-date=8 July 2014|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714231744/http://www.stuff.tv/n-gage-officially-rolled-out-%E2%80%93-finally/news|url-status=dead}} One day after the start of the public beta, hackers managed to unpack the N-Gage installation file and modded it to work on other Nokia Nseries devices such as N73 and N95.{{Cite web |date=2008-02-06 |title=N-Gage First Access hacked for N95 8GB, others |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008-02-06-n-gage-first-access-hacked-for-n95-8gb-others.html?guccounter=1 |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}

The full release of the N-Gage platform went live to the public on 3 April 2008. There were five launch titles: Asphalt 3: Street Rules, Brain Challenge, Hooked On: Creatures of the Deep, System Rush: Evolution, and World Series of Poker: Pro Challenge.{{Cite web |author=I. G. N. Staff |date=2008-04-07 |title=N-Gage Goes Live with New Games, Devices |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/04/07/n-gage-goes-live-with-new-games-devices |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Contributor |date=2008-04-07 |title=Nokia officially launches N-Gage mobile service |url=https://techcrunch.com/2008/04/07/nokia-officially-launches-n-gage-mobile-service/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}} Three other games that were planned on launch (Space Impact: Kappa Base, Block Breaker Deluxe and Tetris) were announced to have been postponed for performance reasons with a planned release date of "next week or two." The five initially supported handsets were: Nokia N81, N81 8GB, N82, N95 and N95 8GB.{{Cite web |title=N-Gage platform launched: All your phones are belong to us |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/n-gage-platform-launched-all-your-phones-are-belong-to-us/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=CNET |language=en}}

On April 7, Nokia posted an official press release for the release of the service, and at which point FIFA 08 also became available for purchase.{{cite web|url=http://www.nokia.com/A4136001?newsid=1206899 |title=Nokia N-Gage press release |date=2008-05-13 |access-date=2012-09-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513084542/http://www.nokia.com/A4136001?newsid=1206899 |archive-date=May 13, 2008 }} There were reports in May 2008 that some users were "angry" about N-Gage's digital rights management (DRM) protection in that every game purchased would be not locked to the user's account but to the handset, meaning they have to buy the game again if they change handsets.{{Cite news |date=2008-05-23 |title=Nokia responds to gamers' anger |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7414323.stm |access-date=2024-09-11 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last=MCV Editors |date=2008-05-22 |title=Gamers 'angry' over new N-Gage's DRM |url=https://mcvuk.com/development-news/gamers-angry-over-new-n-gages-drm/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |work=MCV |language=en |issn=1469-4832}}

The N-Gage platform was compatible with: Nokia N78, N79,{{cite web |title=N-Gage | Blog » Blog Archive » N85 & N79: Two New N-Gage Devices |url=http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/n85-n79-two-new-nseries-devices/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913180131/http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/n85-n79-two-new-nseries-devices/ |archive-date=September 13, 2008 |access-date=2012-09-05}} N81, N81 8GB, N82, N85, N86,{{cite web |date=2009-03-02 |title=More N-Gage devices revealed |url=http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/more-n-gage-devices-revealed/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302220447/http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/more-n-gage-devices-revealed/ |archive-date=March 2, 2009 |access-date=2012-09-05}} N86 8MP, N95, N95 8GB, N96, N97,{{cite web |title=Nokia N97 Data Sheet |url=http://events.nokia.com/nokiaworld/assets/pdf/Data_Sheet_Nokia%20N97.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206081929/http://events.nokia.com/nokiaworld/assets/pdf/Data_Sheet_Nokia%20N97.pdf |archive-date=2009-02-06 |access-date=4 December 2008 |publisher=Nokia}} Nokia 5320 XpressMusic,{{cite web |title=N-Gage | Blog » Blog Archive » N-Gage Now Supports the Nokia 5320 and N96 |url=http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/n-gage-now-supports-the-nokia-5320-and-n96/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913180126/http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/n-gage-now-supports-the-nokia-5320-and-n96/ |archive-date=September 13, 2008 |access-date=2012-09-05}} 5630 XpressMusic,{{cite web |date=2009-02-13 |title=A new N-Gage device |url=http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/a-new-n-gage-device/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213231538/http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/a-new-n-gage-device/ |archive-date=February 13, 2009 |access-date=2012-09-05}} 5730 XpressMusic{{cite web |date=2010-04-10 |title=The N-Gage family grows with Nokia 5730 |url=http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/n-gage-family-grows-with-nokia-5730-xpressmusic/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410040039/http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/n-gage-family-grows-with-nokia-5730-xpressmusic/ |archive-date=April 10, 2010 |access-date=2012-09-05}} Nokia 6210 Navigator,[http://www.n-gage.com/ngi/ngage/web/g0/en/get_ngage/download.html N-Gage software download and compatibiliry matrix] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622222723/http://www.n-gage.com/ngi/ngage/web/g0/en/get_ngage/download.html|date=June 22, 2008}} 6710 Navigator,{{cite web |date=2009-03-02 |title=More N-Gage Devices revealed |url=http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/more-n-gage-devices-revealed/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302220447/http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/more-n-gage-devices-revealed/ |archive-date=March 2, 2009 |access-date=2012-09-05}} 6720 Classic, E52,{{cite web |title=N-Gage | Nokia E52 |url=http://n-gage.com/ngi/ngage/web/ua/en/get_ngage/devices/e52.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128084541/http://www.n-gage.com/ngi/ngage/web/ua/en/get_ngage/devices/e52.html |archive-date=January 28, 2010 |access-date=29 July 2010 |publisher=Nokia}} E55 and E75.{{cite web |date=2009-02-16 |title=New Eseries phones boast N-Gage support |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/N-Gage/N-Gage+(next+gen+platform)/news.asp?c=11630 |access-date=2012-09-05 |publisher=Pocketgamer.co.uk}} Due to memory issues,{{cite web |date=2008-02-28 |title=N-Gage boss Jaakko on memory issues with the N73 |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/N%2DGage/N%2DGage+%28next+gen+platform%29/news.asp?c=5917 |access-date=2012-09-05 |publisher=Pocketgamer.co.uk}} support for the Nokia N73, N93 and N93i was cancelled.{{cite web |date=2009-03-22 |title=No N-Gage support for N73, N93 or N93i |url=http://forums.arena.n-gage.com/nokia/board/message?board.id=ngageenableddevices&message.id=3126#M3126 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322163833/http://forums.arena.n-gage.com/nokia/board/message?board.id=ngageenableddevices&message.id=3126#M3126 |archive-date=March 22, 2009 |access-date=2012-09-05}}

Because N-Gage is a software based solution, the first generation MMC games are not compatible with the new platform,[http://www.n-gage.com/support/faq.html Nokia N-Gage FAQ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308045123/http://www.n-gage.com/support/faq.html |date=March 8, 2008 }} though some games made a comeback in the form of a sequel (e.g. System Rush: Evolution) or a remake/port (e.g. Mile High Pinball). Similarly, games developed for this next-gen N-Gage platform do not work on the original N-Gage nor N-Gage QD, adding to the fact that newer S60 software, including the N-Gage client and games, aren't binary-compatible with older S60 devices and vice versa.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}

The N-Gage client app functioned as an app store, software updater, instant messaging client, and personal achievement record.{{Cite web |date=2009-11-09 |title=What will Nokia learn from the Failure of N-Gage? |url=http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/features/item/What_will_Nokia_learn_from_the_Failure_of_N-Gage.php |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=All About Symbian |language=en}} Nokia was inspired by Microsoft’s Xbox Live service in creating the user interface{{Cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Levi |date=2006-05-11 |title=E3 2006: Nokia's Next Gen |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/11/e3-2006-nokias-next-gen |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=IGN |language=en}} of the app. At the top of the N-Gage launcher are five tabs for each function. The My Games screen shows all the games that are currently installed on the phone. The Profile tab displays the user's profile, showing how many N-Gage points the user scored scored, their reputation level (ranging between 1-5 stars), the number of friends they have, and their avatar/picture. Users could also track progress through trophies/achievements.

The Showroom displayed all games that were available for download as well as Game Extras for expanding a game with extra content. Games could be downloaded directly to the phone over the air (by GPRS, 3G or WiFi), or the user may choose to download it to a computer and then install it on to the phone using a USB-cable and Nokia PC Suite.{{Cite web |date=2008-02-04 |title=Thirty minutes with the N-Gage First Access client |url=http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/features/item/Thirty_Minutes_With_The_N-Gage_First_Access_Client.php |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=All About Symbian |language=en}}

N-Gage Arena was the online service for the N-Gage community and included message boards, live chats, share user created content, tournament activities, and instant messaging. Users could also invite friends to play a game.{{Cite web |title=N-Gage Arena: Nokia's Tomi Huttula |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/n-gage-arena-nokia-s-tomi-huttula |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en}}

On 30 October 2009, Nokia announced that no new N-Gage games would be produced, effectively shutting down the N-Gage platform. All N-Gage services, which includes purchasing of games and various online features, had reportedly ceased operation by the end of 2010. Later on 31 March 2011 Nokia closed their DRM activation service, leaving customers unable to reactivate their purchases in the case of a device format or software update.{{cite web |title=Are you N-Gage user? You will love Ovi |url=http://blog.ovi.com/2011/03/31/are-you-n-gage-user-you-will-love-ovi/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829114830/http://blog.ovi.com/2011/03/31/are-you-n-gage-user-you-will-love-ovi |archive-date=August 29, 2011 |access-date=September 14, 2011}} No transition of their purchases was made to the Ovi Store, and no compensation was given because, according to support staff, software purchases are only supported for one year.

Some gaming websites e.g. Pocket Gamer{{cite web |title=2009 - The year in review: N-Gage | N-Gage | date=31 December 2009 |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/N-Gage/feature.asp?c=17517 |access-date=2012-09-05 |publisher=Pocket Gamer}} link N-Gage's failure to the overwhelming competition it faces from Apple's App Store,{{cite web |title=N-Gage to die, partly thanks to iPhone |url=http://www.loopinsight.com/2009/10/30/n-gage-to-die-partly-thanks-to-iphone/ |website=www.loopinsight.com}} while Ovi Gaming{{cite web |date=2009-11-09 |title=What will Nokia learn from the Failure of N-Gage? |url=http://www.ovigaming.com/features/item/What_will_Nokia_learn_from_the_Failure_of_N-Gage.php |access-date=2012-09-05 |publisher=Ovi Gaming}} cited poor implementation and support from their parent company, Nokia. A bad development model{{cite web |date=2009-10-31 |title=N-Gage dies (again) – On Technology and the Future: Education, IoT, AI, Mobility, Games |url=http://vhirsch.com/blog/2009/10/31/n-gage-dies-again/ |website=vhirsch.com}} and marketing have also been cited.{{cite web |title=N-Gage 2003-2009: An Obituary |date=30 October 2009 |url=http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/features/item/N-Gage_2003-2009_An_Obituary.php}} Ewan Spence of All About Symbian wrote that keeping the "N-Gage" name, despite the failure of its predecessor, was a mistake. He also noted that N-Gage titles simply didn't sell well enough compared to their Java and iPhone OS counterparts.

Several of the N-Gage 2.0 games were nominated for International Mobile Gaming Awards in 2007.

Two out of three N-Gage 2.0 titles received an award:{{cite web|url=http://www.imgawards.com/2007_nominees.php |title=IMGAwards 2007 |publisher=IMGAwards |access-date=11 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305030318/http://www.imgawards.com/2007_nominees.php |archive-date=March 5, 2008 }}

• ONE by Digital Legends won the Best 3D award.
• Dirk Dagger and the Fallen Idol by Jadestone won the Best Gameplay award.
• Hooked On: Creatures of the Deep{{Cite web |date=2008-04-06 |title=N-Gage {{!}} Game Detail Template |url=http://www.n-gage.com/ngi/ngage/web/g0/en/showroom/gamedetail.210.GameDetail.html |access-date=2024-09-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406193529/http://www.n-gage.com/ngi/ngage/web/g0/en/showroom/gamedetail.210.GameDetail.html |archive-date=6 April 2008 }} by Infinite Dreams Inc. was nominated for Best Gameplay.

On 8 May 2008, Hooked On: Creatures of the Deep won a Games Award during the 2008 Meffy Awards in Cannes.[http://www.m-e-f.org/index.php?id=969 Hooked On: COTD wins Meffy Award] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626095351/http://www.m-e-f.org/index.php?id=969 |date=June 26, 2010 }}

In order for the N-Gage platform and games to run smoothly, all N-Gage compatible mobile devices share a common set of specifications:

• Screen: landscape or portrait 320 x 240 pixels (except N97, with a 640 x 360 pixels screen, graphics are stretched and displayed in a letterbox format to keep aspect ratio)
• OS: Symbian S60 3rd edition (S60 5th edition on N97)
• Interface: 5 way (up, down, left, right, center) directional pad, Dedicated action buttons Circle and Square (Mapped onto keypad '5' and '0' in portrait mode) and 2 contextual buttons. Touch screen interactions were not supported (N97 emulated the actions buttons into the on-screen buttons)
• Connectivity: 3G or Wifi (Required for the connecting to the N-Gage platform for downloading games, online functions such as rankings and multiplayer)
• CPU: ARM11 with speed ranges from 369 MHz (N81) to 600 MHz (E52)
• GPU: 3D Graphics Hardware Accelerator supported (games running on devices such as the HW-Accelerated N95 have enhanced performance)
• Audio: Stereo channel

N-Gage games are packaged differently than normal Symbian applications and have the extension ".n-gage" and can only run via the N-Gage application. The game resources are protected by DRM.

They cannot use any native Symbian APIs, instead they use a proprietary API from the N-Gage SDK. N-Gage was also designed to make it easier for developers to port games to the platform: the SDK abstracts Symbian OS and provides a POSIX compliant, standard C/C++ layer over Symbian OS. This meant that developers no longer have to learn Symbian OS C++ idioms, like active objects and descriptors, before they can port their code. Hence it speeded up the process of porting to N-Gage as opposed to the original N-Gage hardware device.

The N-Gage API is in fact an extension of the RGA API available in the Open C++ plug-in.{{cite web|url=http://www.forum.nokia.com/main/resources/tools_and_sdks/openc_cpp/index.html |access-date=June 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602052823/http://www.forum.nokia.com/main/resources/tools_and_sdks/openc_cpp/index.html |archive-date=June 2, 2008 |title=Forum Nokia - Nokia Open C/C++ Plug-ins for S60 3rd Edition }} Only select companies were allowed access to the N-Gage SDK. To gain access they first must have been approved by Nokia and sign a NDA.

As of 23 October 2009, there were 49 games released officially on N-Gage. Many other games were cancelled with the shutting down of N-Gage.{{webarchive |date=9 Mar 2012 |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309162104/http://www.n-gage.com/ngi/ngage/web/g0/en/support/faq.html?qt=what%20will%20happen%20in%202010}} Some of these games are sequels, remakes or ports of the first generation N-Gage MMC games.

• Scalable Network Application Package (SNAP)
• Nokia Game
• Club Nokia
• Xbox Live
• Steam
• Game Center

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• [http://www.n-gage.com/ N-Gage's official website]
• [http://www.nokia.com/ Nokia's official website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081004171046/http://www.get-out-and-play.com/ Get Out And Play], an N-Gage promoting website, owned by Nokia
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20091105035451/http://blog.n-gage.com/archive/mobile-gaming-evolves-%E2%80%93-ovi-store-is-here/#comments Shutdown announcement on the N-Gage Blog (archived)]

{{Nokia services}}

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{{Software digital distribution platforms}}

Category:Mobile software

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Category:Seventh-generation video game consoles

Category:Mobile software distribution platforms