Why I think the new Ngage will be successful
Rumor has it that the new Ngage platform is going to launch tomorrow. As the launch gets closer, it’s very obvious to me that Nokia has been paying attention to the feedback, both negative and positive, from the press and from users in general. Thus, I’ve come up with several reasons I think this new Ngage Platform is going to be a smashing success.
Also, before I go into the list, I want to point out to you that AllAboutSymbian has relaunched their sister site, AllAboutNgage.com! Rafe has spent countless hours sprucing it up and getting it current, so be sure to head over there and check it out. Also, Ngage has launched a Charter Members program that will earn you points that can be redeemed for different things in the coming months, so if you’ve got one, dust off your old Ngage Forums handle and head over to the Charter site to get the scoop.
And now, on with the list…..
The first and foremost is that this will be available as a download for most of the recent N-series devices out there. As far as I know, it will, unfortunately, be blocked from the E-series lineup. Thems the breaks. This is a HUGE boon, however, over the previous iteration that was limited to just the Ngage devices. However, I also hope that Nokia doesn’t stop making Ngage devices. I think there is a very strong market for a device whose design is built around gaming. They just need to make sure it’s improved over the previous Ngage devices.
The second is the games. Let’s make a short list of the developers who have said they’re contributing games: Digital Chocolate, Capcom, Vivendi, I-Play, and RedLynx. These are, for the most part, HUGE names in the gaming industry. The only notable exception that I can see is EA, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re in bed with everyone, as well, just haven’t announced it yet. If you recall from the previous Ngage platform, the games were mostly ports from existing platforms such as Nintendo and Sony, with very little original titles.
Following that is a close third reason, that being the understanding of the relationship possibilities between mobile and….non-mobile. We’ve all heard of the Project White Rock, which is said to be an MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online) that has both PC and mobile elements. I’ve written about this before with regards to Tiger Woods. Ngage isn’t competing with the Playstation and Xbox360s, it’s competing with the PSP and Nintendo DS, and the most notable missing aspect of those platforms is the connection with the non-mobile games. If Nokia can connect those somehow, that would give them a really compelling competitive edge, in my opinion.
The fourth is the interface. We’ve all seen the videos, it’s very similar to the Xbox Live interface, which if you haven’t used it, is phenomenal. It’s so easy to navigate, and easy to use. I also think that having the games as a download rather than fooling around with memory cards, the data infrastructure that’s available today (as opposed to several years ago with the first Ngage), and the experience of the first Ngage, Nokia’s got the cards stacked in their favor with this new launch.
So then, what could screw it up, in my opinion? The first thing, I think, is if it gets regionalized. If they launch each country by itself, or even regions by itself. If say, they launched the UK tomorrow, but the US has to wait till Christmas, or worse, NEXT YEAR? Look at the N95, for instance. It’s not entirely unlikely. If they’re going to launch it, they need to do it 100% launched.
Also the games. While they do have some big names, there’s still a slim chance that things could get just ported, with no thought as to what that does with playability. Even still, I’m confident it’ll be awesome. What do you think?
webcast of tomorow event
http://www.nokia.com/press/goplay
Get out the kneepads…time to fellate Nokia again, eh, Ricky?