Nokia today announced the N-Gage QD mobile game deck, the latest addition to the N-Gage platform. The company has gone to great lengths to emphasize that the N-Gage QD is not the N-Gage 2 but rather an expansion to the original deck which addresses many functional issues. Under its hood the N-Gage QD features the same technology as its predecessor. Gaming on the new deck then, is a similar experience to that on the original N-Gage, bar the brighter screen and more comfortable D-pad controller. Nokia does have plans for an N-Gage 2 but that device will definitely feature updated technology.
Some of the changes introduced by N-Gage QD include a swappable multimedia (MMC) slot for instant gaming, longer battery life, improved gaming controls, brighter screen, powerful smartphone features and the new N-Gage Arena launcher application. Gamers will be able to play all of their favorite N-Gage titles, connect to the worldwide mobile gaming community over mobile networks via the N-Gage Arena as well as take part in close-range mobile multiplayer gaming via Bluetooth wireless technology.
The planned range of prices is expected to be from Euro 99/USD 99 with a contract to Euro 199/USD 199 as an unsubsidized, untaxed retail price. The N-Gage QD game deck is expected to be available in May 2004 for Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific and in June 2004 for the Americas. The N-Gage QD will be available in two versions: a GSM 900/1800 variant (Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific) and a GSM 850/1900 variant (Americas).
After six months on the market with the N-Gage platform, we wanted to expand our device portfolio based on the feedback we've received, said Nokia's Senior Vice President of Games, Ilkka Raiskinen. With improved gaming ergonomics, gamers can now start to play games at the push of a button and enjoy the increased responsiveness of the game keys. We also added support for hot-swap MMC and extended the battery life. For phone calls, we reoriented the speaker and microphone to support 'classic talking'.
The N-Gage QD game deck supports existing N-Gage game titles as well forthcoming N-Gage exclusive titles like Ashen, Pathway to Glory and Pocket Kingdom: Own The World, and blockbuster hits like The Sims: Bustin' Out, Crash Nitro Kart and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 2004.
The new N-Gage Arena launcher makes accessing the N-Gage Arena even easier than before. The launcher is a software application preinstalled on the N-Gage QD device that allows gamers full access to the N-Gage Arena community directly from their game deck.
Once installed, the launcher is accessed from an icon in the game deck's main applications menu, similar to other N-Gage software.
Using the launcher via a GPRS connection, N-Gage Arena members can communicate with one another, download exclusive content, access rankings statistics, participate in events and activities, and more. Existing N-Gage users will be able download the N-Gage Arena launcher from n-gage.com in May 2004.
The N-Gage QD game deck also supports advanced smartphone features such as personal information management, XHTML browser, email and the possibility to download and install additional Series 60 applications.
The N-Gage QD game deck will be showcased at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, California from May 12 to 14, 2004. For a first look at the console follow the Screens tab above.
Nokia also used the launch of the N-Gage QD to announce that Activision's Call of Duty will be released for the platform. The critically acclaimed, first-person World War II action game thrusts players to the front lines of combat, as ordinary soldiers fight together as part of a squad through the epic moments of WWII.
Call of Duty on the N-Gage platform throws gamers into instant head-to-head combat via multiplayer gaming over Bluetooth wireless technology and allows them to experience the intensity of WWII. Players will also be able to battle for top rankings on the N-Gage Arena exclusive leaderboards.
Call of Duty is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2004.
