Nokia Reloading For Handheld War
The NGage was a valiant attempt at a handheld console, but it really never made a dent in the market. The real problem lies in not the console itself, but it’s ties to being a cell phone. The mobile market in the United States is drastically different than across other regions. Verizon, Sprint/Nextel and T-Mobile are just a few of the options Americans have for cellular service and unlike many parts of the world, each company requires their own hardware.
Aside of that, it was a damn awkward phone. The revised NGage helped out a bit, but it still felt like I was playing a cell phone game which has never really appealed to me. I’ll give Nokia points for originality because the device was pretty unique. I especially liked the idea of built-in online connectivity, unfortunately I had a multi-year cell phone contract at the time, it was never an option.
It seems Nokia is far from giving up on the handheld gaming market. Cell phone games are a billion dollar industry and they’re taking the NGage complaints to heart with their next line of cell phones. Due early next year, Nokia believes their newest phones will be the key to success in the handheld gaming market.
He added:
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just stick with making phones Nokia.
You’re right, Jake. How foolish of us. We retract this statement completely. ;-P
The problem is that in the mobile-space a LOT of money is made from mobile phone games. Then again the phone blitzes other music players and camera use as well.
Do you see where I’m going with this?
Usage isn’t directly related to a profitable market in the real games market. The fact the consumer endures awful games to pass the time on the bus, uploads music from their home collection or takes pictures down the pub does make a phone a viable product in any of these areas.
A phone is a phone first and a folly second. Look at the Gismondo if you want another technical disaster.
The biggest factor in handheld gaming is the same one that effects ALL gaming:
Who you sign.
If you can’t get exclusive buy-in from critical games producers you’re nothing.
What we’re talking about here is the glint in a saleman’s eye as he eyes up the pile of potental gold shimmering on the horizon.