Nokia Launches N-Gage Service With EA, Gameloft Titles

Nokia has announced that its long-awaited N-Gage mobile games service has been launched globally, with an initial range of five compatible Nokia devices. Users of the service can find, try and buy mobile games, plus take part in the N-Gage Arena community, directly from their Nokia handset. Compatible devices include the Nokia N81, Nokia N81 8GB, Nokia N82, Nokia N95, and Nokia N95 8GB, and interested parties can download the N-Gage application via the N-Gage website on their mobile device or PC, and new games, features and compatible devices are to be “added regularly." Games are expected to cost between 6 to 10 Euros [$10-15 US], although Nokia has not revealed if there will be differences in pricing across territories. Upcoming titles for the service include EA Sports Fifa 08, Tetris and The Sims 2 Pets from EA Mobile; Block Breaker Deluxe and Dogz from Gameloft; Snakes Subsonic, Space Impact: Kappa Base and Mile High Pinball by Nokia Publishing. Using the N-Gage application on their device, people can create a Friends List, send and receive private messages, and take part in instant messaging. N-Gage Points can be earned for playing games and participating in community activities, and users can also interact using the N-Gage web portal on the PC. Prior to the N-Gage service going live, Nokia ran the N-Gage First Access program across eight weeks for users of the Nokia N81, which Nokia's games VP Jaakko Kaidesoja said helped "further refine the experience." "We were pleased that so many people took the time to test-drive the service and share their comments," he continued. "Thanks to them we are now ready to offer an enhanced experience to a wider audience. Together with the N-Gage community we will keep developing the N-Gage experience further by adding new games and features that take advantage of rapidly evolving mobile technology."